Thurso research into floating offshore wind aims to protect marine mammals
A Thurso-based researcher hopes an academic review into floating offshore energy platforms will help to protect marine creatures while allowing for sustainable growth in the sector.
The UHI Environmental Research Institute at Thurso has been involved in a review article which explores the current evidence on the impact of floating offshore wind on marine ecosystems and identifies knowledge gaps where further research is required.
Significant expansion of floating offshore wind projects is planned off the north and west coast of Scotland as well as further afield around the UK and elsewhere.
Therefore researchers believe it is critically important that there is an understanding of the impact of such developments on the marine environment.
But with only a small number of operational sites globally, few ecological studies have been conducted to assess their environmental impact. As a result, the effects on marine species, including mammals such as dolphins, porpoises, whales and seals, remains largely unknown.
It follows a recent report which said there was little threat to harbour seals from tidal energy developments in the Pentland Firth and Orkney waters.
This new review explores both the potential positive and negative ecological effects of floating offshore wind on marine mammals. It is being led by researchers at the University of the Highlands and Islands, the Scottish Association for Marine Science and the University of Aberdeen and was published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin.
Caitlin Harris, PhD researcher at UHI Environmental Research Institute (ERI) in Thurso, part of UHI North, West and Hebrides, said: “Floating offshore wind will be key to meeting renewable energy and net zero goals, but dedicated research is essential to ensure its sustainable development.
“We hope this review provides a clear overview of current evidence from existing floating offshore wind sites and helps guide future research to support the sustainable expansion of the sector, while ensuring the protection of marine species.”
Research has already shown that the dynamic moorings used to anchor floating turbines change underwater noise, and, although unlikely to cause physiological damage to marine life, the broader impact on behaviour and habitat is not understood. Entanglement may also pose a risk to some species.
Meanwhile, structures have been found to attract some marine life, creating positive potential for feeding hotspots.
Key knowledge gaps continue to exist, though, including how structures influence the level of mixing in the ocean, which can affect primary production and the behaviour of marine species in and around structures, as well as the impact of operational activities like maintenance.
The review will form the framework for a much larger research project, ECOFlow EQUIFy, which will focus on delivering the critical evidence needed by government and industry to inform policy and decision making throughout the lifecycle of planned large-scale expansion of floating offshore wind, including the impact on marine ecosystems.
Benjamin Williamson, associate professor at the ERI and PhD supervisor, added: “This review can help guide environmentally sustainable development of floating offshore wind as part of our renewable energy mix.
“We will continue to investigate these knowledge gaps, including in our ECOFlow EQUIFy project, seeking to reduce uncertainty in the consenting process.”
The review was made possible with grant funding from NERC Scottish Universities Partnership for Environmental Research (SUPER) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP).