erielements Summer 2013

environmental

research

institute

Observing seabirds on the Pelamis wave energy device

Scotland has huge potential for the generation of electricity from wave energy. Government and indus-try are keen to secure this potential but there are a number of challenges still to be overcome. Technolo-gy is continually developing and, despite increasing attention and awareness, the environmental conse-quences of deploying large numbers of devices at sea are not well understood. The region holds internationally important populations of seabirds but, globally, they are among the most endangered. These wide-ranging predators are near the apex of most marine food webs so also act as useful bio-indicators for marine systems. Much of what we know about seabird ecology comes from breeding colony studies over the last 50 years. Whilst seabirds are protected by legislation at their breeding grounds, they spend most of their life at sea where they are less well studied and currently afford-ed little statutory protection from a number of pres-sures, including offshore development. To understand how wide-ranging seabirds may re-spond to potentially disparate anthropogenic pres-sures, and to assess how best to protect them, re-quires an understanding of how different species interact with the marine environment over varying spa-tial scales and times. Of particular interest is how birds interact with marine devices at the smallest scale, e.g. collision, roosting habitat, foraging opportunity. Such studies require in-situ observations but undertaking this work is difficult since the devices are typi-cally moored several kilometres from shore in very windy locations with large waves. In the past, radar has been used to provide detailed information about the flight paths of individual birds and flocks around offshore wind turbines. Using radar for observations of wave energy devices is less practical. The equipment is very expensive and is less likely to work because of the low profile of wave energy devices. One alternative is to use in situ cameras. These can collect large amounts of data on bird behaviour with-out any disturbance from observers. They also allow information to be collected on and around wave-energy machines whilst the devices are in the water. As part of the Hebridean Marine Energy Futures project ERI is currently undertaking one such study. Led by Lews Castle College with specialist input from ERI, the Scottish Association for Marine Science and Heriot Watt University, this project is gathering valuable environmental data around wave-energy ma-chines in action. A digital stills camera has been fastened to one of the Pelamis machines being tested at the European Marine Energy Centre test site off the west coast of mainland Orkney.

Terns resting on a Pelamis machine in the early morning

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ERI Researcher presents to USA peatland conference

During the first week of June, Dr Roxane Andersen joined nearly 300 experts in wet-land science and management for the annu-al meeting of the Society of Wetland Scien-tists, held in Duluth, Minnesota (USA). Hav-ing been invited to participate in a session dedicated to peatland restoration, Roxane gave a presentation entitled “How carbon is changing blanket bog restoration in Scot-land”. This introduced the various projects currently contributing to our understanding of the impact of afforestation and restoration on carbon and discussed some of the chal-lenges and issues ahead. The meeting included a field trip to a cedar swamp resto-ration project and large scale bog restora-tion on former agricultural land. Roxane was also fortunate to be able to take part in a special flight over the Red Lake Peat-land, a spectacular mosaic where long-term impact of drainage is still visible. Also known as “the Big Bog”, this is the largest protected peatland in Minnesota. It covers an area of about 80 x 15 km and contains the largest, most diversely patterned peat-land in the United States.

For further information contact Roxane.Andersen@uhi.ac.uk

Red Lake Peatland - a large historical drainage ditch is visible on the pic-ture. Photo credit: Roxane Andersen.

The camera, which is protected in a waterproof housing, is fas-tened to a mast near the front of the Pelamis machine and looks towards the tail end (below). The camera takes an image every five minutes and photos are retrieved when the machine is re-turned to Lyness on Hoy for routine operations and maintenance.

Photos are later processed to determine the numbers, identities and behaviours of any seabirds on or near the device. The cam-era was installed at the start of February 2013 and to date, we have retrieved over 12,000 photographs. Examination of a proportion of the photos suggests that during February and March little use, if any, was made by seabirds of the devices whilst they were at sea. During April and May the device was at sea for only 10 days but there are several obser-vations of terns resting or roosting on the top of the machine (see picture, previous page). The camera will be in place until spring 2014 and we hope that it will provide new understanding of how deployment of floating wave-energy devices might influence seabird behaviour.

This work is part of the Hebridean Marine Energy Futures project and we acknowledge support from funders and partners: the Scottish Funding Council, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Pelamis Wave Power Ltd., Scottish Power Renewables, E.ON, Lews Castle College UHI, Voith, Aquamarine Power, University of Edinburgh, University of Strathclyde and Heriot Watt University.

For further information contact Angus.Jackson@uhi.ac.uk

A high resolution digital camera in a waterproof housing fastened to the mast on the Pelamis ma-

ERI launches Tidal, Wave and Energy Module

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The decline of Earth’s fossil fuel resources and the environmental constraints associated with climate change are slowly forcing modern societies to redefine their energy strategies. Whilst often considered as one of the most suitable substitutes to fulfil the increasing demand for energy, and reduce the emission of carbon in the atmosphere, nuclear fission (in its current format) presents issues that negate its environmen-tal sustainability e.g. long-term supply of Uranium; security and cost of installation; life of nuclear wastes etc. In recent decades new production systems have emerged which aim to exploit other energy sources including wind, solar, geothermal and marine energy as well as a new generation of nuclear reactors. Using our knowledge of renewable energy and nuclear energy systems, the ERI has developed a new Virtu-al Learning Environment module on “Tidal, Waves and Future Energy”. It aims to provide a comprehensive scientific, environmental and economic insight into future energy systems, with a focus on the tidal and wave energy. The module covers a broad range of topics related to future energy resources. These include: Physics of tides and waves Resource assessment Environmental impact -tide/ wave energy Regulation and planning Technology and challenges - tidal barriers Offshore energy supply (excluding offshore

wind farms) Limitations in the use of hydrogen Storage systems Principles of nuclear physics Development of new generation nuclear

reactors. The module is suitable for any science, engi-neering or social economics students, partic-ularly those in the field of energy resource, who wish to complement their knowledge with a good overview of tidal, wave and fu-ture energy resources.

For further information contact Philippe.Gleizon@uhi.ac.uk

Director Stuart Gibb at Buckingham Palace

Professor Stuart Gibb was one of a group of senior representa-tives drawn from across the University of the Highlands and Is-lands (UHI) partnership to attend a networking event at Bucking-ham Palace in May. The event, hosted by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal in her role as Chancellor of the UHI, provided Pro-fessor Gibb with an opportunity to discuss, with her, the Universi-ty’s interests, expertise and, more specifically related to ERI, aspi-rations around environmental science and energy issues. Her Royal Highness was installed as the first chancellor of UHI in June 2012 and since then has taken a keen interest in its devel-opment. The event, organised through the University’s Develop-

ment Trust, provided a platform from which to thank some of the UHIs many supporters and to connect with key individuals who have an interest in, or close association with, the University and the region. It is hoped that this awareness raising event will kindle strong and enduring relationships with the UHI in the future. For further information contact Stuart.Gibb@uhi.ac.uk

BioPAD: Developing Biomass Tools

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New faces at ERI

Dr Rebecca McKenzie, Field Technician “I started work at the ERI in June and I will mainly be supporting pro-jects located within the RSPB’s Forsinard Reserve, Flow Country. I recently completed my PhD at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), Edinburgh / University of Manchester entitled “Fluxes of nitro-gen in a semi-natural ecosystem”. My research was carried out on a peatland near Edinburgh where I investigated the deposition of inor-ganic and organic nitrogen to the site, and its subsequent export via a stream. I also assessed changes in nitrogen deposition over a 15 year period and constructed a nitrogen budget of the site. Previously, I worked as a research assistant at CEH where I was responsible for the collection and analysis of soil, gas, vegetation and stream sam-ples for a variety of projects at sites across the UK.” Rebecca.Mckenzie@uhi.ac.uk

Developing a local bioenergy market can provide significant opportunities for rural areas by improving security of energy supply, contributing to a reduction in CO2 emissions and stimulating the local economy through employment and income generation. The ERI is taking part in a new project - BioPAD (Bioenergy Proliferation

and Deployment) which aims to increase awareness and develop bioenergy markets in the Northern Pe-riphery of Europe. By looking at the supply chains of different bioenergy fuels the project aims to improve our knowledge of market requirements (supply and demand). A better understanding of the way bioener-gy moves from fuel source to energy provision will help the establishment of robust and efficient local supply services and provide sustainable enterprise opportunities for individuals, communities and munici-palities in northern Europe. This two year project is funded under the EU’s Northern Periphery Programme (NPP) and involves Dr Neil James and Dr Kenny Boyd from the ERI working with partners in Northern Ireland (Action Renewa-bles), Finland (Finnish Forest Research Institute, METLA) and Ireland (Western Development Commis-sion). As well as the four partner organisations, the €0.7 million project includes 11 associate partners with experience across the supply chain, representing five northern European countries. While some areas already have well-developed biomass supply chains others face significant challenges in establishing the cost-effective services needed to exploit their biomass resources sustainably. This pro-ject aims to gain a better understanding of the current status of regional biomass supply chains for a range of biomass types including wood products, energy crops, marine macro algae and agricultural wastes. Following analysis, tools will be developed which will enable communities to source and use locally avail-able biomass across a range of technologies including anaerobic digestion, combustion, and micro com-bined heat and power (CHP). In addition, supply chain mapping work will inform policy frameworks and the interventions needed to support renewable energy deployment in the NPP. A bioenergy tool which highlights key steps along the supply chain for each fuel type or conversion meth-od will be made available in a variety of formats (e.g. web, mobile and app). The promotion of this infor-mation system is an important element of the project and there will be a focus on making it accessible throughout the project region.

For further information contact Neil.James@uhi.ac.uk

BioPAD learns from Austrian bioenergy experiences

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BioPAD, an innovative bioenergy pro-ject involving the ERI, recently under-took a policy study tour to Austria. Over 2 days, 16 partners, associates and policy makers visited 8 locations in Eastern Austria, each examining a dif-ferent aspect of bioenergy use. Dr Neil James was part of the delega-tion that visited the town of Güssing, Burgenland which, over the last 15 years, has transformed itself into a centre of excellence for the production of sustainable energy from local sources. This region has a biomass gasification plant which produces electricity and heat as well as a cen-tralised district heating system. Güssing also hosts the European Centre for Renewable Energy which

promotes knowledge exchange adding to the region’s rep-utation and employment. In Güssing more than 50% of the private households, all public buildings and a large part of business and industry are connected to the district heating grid. Economically, Güssing has become attractive due to its low heating costs and stable heating price. The two biggest parquet manufacturers in Austria relocated to the town because a long-term low-priced heat supply could be guaranteed. In return, the district heating plant is supplied with waste wood from these parquet plants.

The delegation was welcomed by Kurt Maczek, Mayor of Pinkafeld, who explained his town’s involvement with bio-mass boiler manufacturer Herz, environmental engineer-ing company Heart, and the local training college. The group also visited one of Herz’ reference plants in Jor-mannsdorf where a 600kW biomass plant provides heat

for the nursery and for surrounding houses through a small district heating system.

To gain a better understanding of the status of supply chains for different biomass types the group visited a varie-ty of generation sites including biomass heating for a school, a farmer co-operative running a district heating system in Gneibing and a local entrepreneur providing heat both for his own horticultural glasshouses and for local houses in the village of St Martin. Over the last 30 years Austria has transformed itself from a country reliant on imported fossil fuels into one which now generates almost 60% of its energy requirement from in-digenous sources. The BioPAD group benefitted from the opportunity to learn from the experiences gained during this transformation. For further information contact Neil.James@uhi.ac.uk

Mobile wood chipping at Musmax (150 year old family business)

Kurt Maczek, Mayor of Pinkafeld, welcomes the BioPAD delegation

School in St. Anna - biomass heating system from locally sourced wood

Student placements at ERI

Birdlife with ERI and the Young Curator’s Club

Environmental Research Institute

Castle Street, Thurso,

Caithness, KW14 7JD, Scotland

Tel: +44 (0) 1847 889589

Fax: +44 (0) 1847 890014

Email: eri-info@thurso.uhi.ac.uk

Centre for Energy & Environment,

North Highland College UHI, Thurso,

Caithness, KW14 7EE, Scotland

Tel: +44 (0) 1847 889000

Fax: +44 (0) 1847 889001

Web: www.eri.ac.uk

erioutreach

Rebecca Crawford, Placement Student Having recently completed the 3rd year of a degree in Marine and Freshwater Biolo-gy at Glasgow University, Rebecca Crawford came to the ERI in May on a three month placement, to gain experience of research techniques. Supervised by Chris Nall (PhD student), Rebecca is undertaking a short project to ‘assess the distribu-tion and abundance of Corella eumyota compared to other solitary ascidians, to es-tablish the potential of this species to outcompete similar native species’. C. eumyota is a non-native solitary sea squirt originally from the Southern Hemisphere which has recently been discovered to be widely abundant in a marina in north Scotland. This placement provides Rebecca with a good opportunity to gain new

fieldwork and analytical skills as well as expand her knowledge of the marine environment. For further information contact Chris.Nall@uhi.ac.uk

Geraldine Hoen, Erasmus Student ”In May I started a three month internship, funded by the Erasmus Programme, supervised by Andrew French (PhD student) and Dr Mark Taggart. I am studying the relationship between characteristics of red deer habitat and their body condi-tion. The main task involves analysing jaw and bone measurements and compar-ing these within the habitats using statistical analysis. I will also assist Andrew in the laboratory to look at trace element concentrations in rumen samples. Using GIS, I hope to map results to distinguish them geographically. In addition, I have been out sampling in the field with Andrew and also with Paul Gaffney (PhD stu-dent) on his project about the carbon sequestration in the peatlands. In France, I

am currently following engineering studies in Agronomy at Bordeaux University. My internship at the ERI fits well with my interests in environment, ecology and population management.” For further information contact Barbara.Bremner@uhi.ac.uk

Earlier this year two scientists from the ERI were awarded funding to run a work-shop for the Caithness Horizon museum’s Young Curator’s Club. The theme of the event was avian biodiversity which allowed the children to get really close to the museum’s bird collection. The children joined the ERI staff as they set out to explore the diverse world of birds and discover why species vary so much from one another. The event, which was full to capacity, was funded by Museums Galleries Scot-land and used a number of hands-on activities to examine different shapes and sizes of wings, feet, and beaks to see how these relate to their function, habitat, and prey. Using this information, the young curators then created their own unique bird and gave it an appropriate name based on its appearance or behav-iour, such as the red and yellow spotty bird, and the purple burger-eater! For further information contact Elizabeth.Masden@uhi.ac.uk