Innovate UK Business Connect’s Post

This is a much needed paper that tackles the difficulties in assessing the effects of wind farm developments on SPA populations of red kite. Well done to all involved. https://lnkd.in/edHmNSaA

Here is a balanced review on offshore wind energy and its impact on the ecology and environment. The general conclusion is that offshore wind could actually be beneficial for the environment, if for no other reason that it doesn't lead to the burning of fossil fuels. https://lnkd.in/gM3vh2mK

#Artificialreefs in #offshore #windfarms seem to be beneficial for #cod. Cod seem to be attracted by the reefs and even stay there for longer periods of time, more so than with conventional #erosionprotection. This is according to a from a #study by Wageningen University & Research in Ørsted's Borssele 1&2 #offshorewind farm. https://lnkd.in/euQ59C4a

#Salamander, the #floatingoffshorewind joint venture between Ørsted, Simply Blue Group and Subsea7, is working with two Scottish universities to assess the potential impact of #floatingwind farms on #marine ecosystems. https://lnkd.in/g39FXKgP. #fish #fishmigration #marinelife #esg #offshore #research #sensors #fluorometer #echosounder

More onshore wind farms in Wales is unlikely to stop the recovery of red kite population, research suggests. A study into the impact of onshore wind schemes had on the birds found numbers would likely continue to increase, though the rate of growth might slow.

A couple of recent papers/reports I've found interesting: 1. Migrating Black-faced Spoonbills demonstrating the barrier effects of multiple wind farms off the coast of China. This barrier effect likely contributed to the death later in the season of one of the birds: https://lnkd.in/emFW56Um. 2. Turbine blade painting at the Hopefield (edited) wind farm, South Africa has shown close to 100% effectiveness at preventing raptor collisions - replicating the trial from Smøla, Norway a few years ago: https://lnkd.in/eihiAa_q (kudos to Dr Rob Simmons and the team). 3. A metareview found 'there was limited evidence of impacts' from offshore wind energy developments on commercial fisheries species: https://lnkd.in/eTVADNvq.

Thousands of oil and gas structures in the oceans that are approaching obsolescence. Should they stay or go? I think most people would want them removed, but the matter is complicated when you look closely. For example, these structure are now home to abundant and sometime rare marine life. Robust and independent research is needed to make informed decisions. In a new paper led by Matthew Birt from the Australian Institute of Marine Science, we investigated the contribution of Esso's offshore platforms in southeastern Australia to fish production. Here's what we found: ·      Platforms promote fish diversity and abundance in areas where it would be otherwise be minimal. ·      Platform production measures were relatively high compared to other artificial reefs and habitats around the world (82 g/m2/year). ·      The bottom parts of the structure are most important for fish production. ·      Complete removal of infrastructure would likely eliminate most fish production at that location. We’ve known for a long time that there are lots of fish on offshore oil and gas structures, but what’s new here is the insight into how much fish are being PRODUCED at the structures, as opposed to be attracted from the surrounding area. The study also provides advances in how to measure fish production. So, what do we do with this information? In this paper, I think we need to consider whether the levels of fish production are ‘meaningful’ -  i.e. if we’re weighing up the pros and cons of leaving these structures in the oceans, are the levels of fish production on the level of hugely important, or just ‘meh, no big deal’?  The answer to this question is somewhat subjective, which is why I’m happy to leave it to the decision makers and stick to generating the science to inform decision making! You can read more here: https://lnkd.in/gV9F3cNB BlueCarbonLab Dianne McLean Euan Harvey Jeremy Claisse NDRI - National Decommissioning Research Initiative #decommissioning #oilandgas #Fish #Fisheries #oceanscience Deakin University

I am happy to anounce that our new publication is now available online. Multi-use offshore farms have the potential to address marine space limitations and stimulate collaborations and new economic opportunities. However, its environmental impacts are not yet well understood. This study aims to quantify the potential environmental impacts a multi-use offshore farm, which combines an offshore wind farm and a mussel farm, by performing a Life Cycle Assessment. This research forms part of the SUMES project. Thanks very much to all the co-authors. This work would not have been possible without the hard work and contributions of Bilge Baş Sue Ellen Taelman Sander van den Burg Jo Dewulf. #Sustainability #BlueEconomy #Multiuse #LifeCycleAssessment

Offshore decommissioning is becoming a hot topic now. Time is not really on our side so the more studies that are conducted will help the decision making process.

To answer the key stakeholder questions on the potential impacts of #offshorewind on marine life, we need more site-independent research. Linking hypothesis testing and targeted monitoring can generate knowledge before installation that is transferrable between locations. Our latest research framework: