Location
Groningen, The Netherlands
Event Website
http://fishpassage.umass.edu/
Start Date
22-6-2015 2:15 PM
End Date
22-6-2015 2:30 PM
Description
Abstract:
The past years, improvement of fish survival at hydropower dams has shifted from development of fish guidance systems towards the development of ‘fish-friendly’ turbines. A variety of technical features of turbines is altered in order to reduce mortality of fish passing the turbine. Data on mortality rates at traditional, currently applied turbine types, shows a great variation for fish species and life stages. ‘Improvements’ applied in novel turbine types must thus be tested thoroughly, both in small-scale (laboratory) flume test as well as under real-time field condition, before any conclusion can be drawn for long term application.
The current question is, how to test the fish-friendliness of a turbine, such that water authorities, regulators, permitting authorities, etc, will accept a ‘minimum’ (?) of fish mortality. A variety of new turbine types as well as turbine test facilities are under development. Any statement on improvement of fish survival requires certification on this matter. For this, there is a strong need of a protocol to test the ‘fish friendliness’ independently. As it will take many years before new turbine types have long-term data on fish mortality, test protocols must be designed to provide the best possible representativeness.
Session B2: Certification of ‘Fish-Friendliness’: Looking Through a Glass Darkly
Groningen, The Netherlands
Abstract:
The past years, improvement of fish survival at hydropower dams has shifted from development of fish guidance systems towards the development of ‘fish-friendly’ turbines. A variety of technical features of turbines is altered in order to reduce mortality of fish passing the turbine. Data on mortality rates at traditional, currently applied turbine types, shows a great variation for fish species and life stages. ‘Improvements’ applied in novel turbine types must thus be tested thoroughly, both in small-scale (laboratory) flume test as well as under real-time field condition, before any conclusion can be drawn for long term application.
The current question is, how to test the fish-friendliness of a turbine, such that water authorities, regulators, permitting authorities, etc, will accept a ‘minimum’ (?) of fish mortality. A variety of new turbine types as well as turbine test facilities are under development. Any statement on improvement of fish survival requires certification on this matter. For this, there is a strong need of a protocol to test the ‘fish friendliness’ independently. As it will take many years before new turbine types have long-term data on fish mortality, test protocols must be designed to provide the best possible representativeness.
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/fishpassage_conference/2015/June22/26
Comments
Presenting Author Bio:
Mr Maarten Bruijs holds a M.Sc. in aquatic ecology from the Radboud University of Nijmegen in the Netherlands (aquatic ecology: eco-physiology and eco-toxicology). Maarten is sr. consultant and has worked for DNV GL product group ‘Process & Cooling Water’ since 2000. In general, Mr Bruijs' duties as a consultant cover 'power plants and the effects on aquatic environment' and vice versa. His main topics concern the effects of cooling water systems and hydropower facilities on the aquatic environment, i.e. fish ingress and biofouling problems.
Mr Bruijs is responsible for consultancy and research projects on the effects of fish passage at hydroelectric power plants activities and the effects by impingement and entrainment on fish populations as a result of thermal power plants. Additionally, he is involved in R&D and test / feasibility studies of fish deterrent systems at water inlets of hydroelectric and thermal power plants. He also provides assistance with translating the ecological and regulatory aspects in the design of cooling water intakes of newly planned power plants. The topic of fish mortality and ecological effects due to passage of hydropower stations and ingress in cooling water systems is often under discussion in the Netherlands. In its function as independent expert, DNV GL is asked for advice by the different parties involved. By seeking this advice, both governments and the E-sector can take well-founded decisions with respect to their interests and requirements as a result of objective explanation of the problems, specific research into solutions and possibilities provided. His main work area in this field is the Netherlands, but also other European countries and the USA. Also, in his function, he is regularly asked to take part in (inter)national independent expert groups to provide guidance in projects. Furthermore he is involved with EIA studies for new power plant facilities.
He is involved in assessments of fouling communities on submerged industrial structures and equipment, and its impact on the daily operation of the installation, ranging of marine off shore wind turbines to coastal sea cooling water intake system. He is also involved in research project investigating mitigation options to prevent fouling, ranging from chemical fouling control to surface treatment technologies, such as coatings. For this topic he deals with the optimisation of water treatment (Pulse-Chlorination®) in order to have control over the macrofouling, and is involved in (inter)national projects. M Bruijs is patent holder of the Sparker technology as a method for fish deflection to avoid excessive impingement of fish in cooling water intakes (patent number 1034953). Mr Bruijs has very good editorial skills and is (co-)author of scientific publications, lectures and book chapters.