SUSTAINABILITY
The world is facing a climate crisis.
-
Evidence shows that rising global temperatures are contributing to more frequent extreme weather events around the world – the last decade (2011-2020) was the warmest on record.
-
At COP26 in 2021, nearly 200 countries signed the Glasgow Climate Pact to reduce the average global temperature by 1.5C and urgently combat climate change. Developing additional sources of renewable energy is essential to help us achieve this.
-
Nova Innovation’s tidal turbine technology harnesses the powerful energy of our tides to provide a clean, reliable solution for our energy needs.
Landscape
Nova Innovation’s turbines sit on the seabed and are completely submerged beneath the sea, with no visual impact on the landscape. Our turbines work in harmony with nature and marine life is free to move around them.
Nova plans to install turbines at a water depth of 30 metres in Bardsey Sound. With no surface markers or barriers, and a clearance of at least 15 metres above the turbines, ships and other vessels can freely sail above them.
Marine wildlife
Nova Innovation has been monitoring the environmental effects of turbines in the Shetland Tidal Array at Bluemull Sound since they were first installed in 2015.
Underwater cameras and turbine sensors have created one of the best data sets on the environmental effects of tidal turbines anywhere in the world. Rigorous data analysis demonstrates that our turbines work in complete harmony with marine wildlife and have no negative impact on the marine habitat and local species.
In Bardsey Sound, we have been collecting data on the presence and behaviour of seabird and marine mammal species since July 2021. This enables us to assess the potential effects of the project on these species. In 2022 we will carry out a variety of survey work in Bardsey Sound to gather information for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and to identify the optimal positioning for turbines on the seabed.
Picture: © P. Evans, Sea Watch Foundation
Environmental stewardship
Nova Innovation is committed to environmental best practice in all aspects of the business.
To make sure we deliver on this commitment, environmental specialists and marine biologists work alongside our highly skilled engineering teams to make sure that sustainability is at the core of everything we do.
We have an exceptional environmental track record which has demonstrated that our turbines work in complete harmony with marine wildlife and have no negative impact.