LUC’s Post

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐝! To start off our 7-year measuring campaign in the planned Ecowende wind farm, we recently finished the first deployment of our custom-built measurement frames. They are equipped with all sorts of instruments that will collect large amounts of data, which will be used to learn more about the ecological impact of offshore wind farms: during installation, and also during operation. Placing the frames on the seabed has been an exciting step in the collection of data that ultimately gives us a better understanding of the natural environment.

💡 Ecology Insights: PAM network 💡 There is still plenty to learn about harbour porpoises in the North Sea. We know that harbour porpoises are easily disturbed by noise, but we are unsure what the specific behavioural changes associated with this disturbance are and how long these changes will last. The better we understand the harbour porpoise and its habitat, the better we can take this into account. This is why we want to thoroughly monitor and research the harbour porpoises, together with scientists. One of the measures is our PAM (passive acoustic monitoring) network. We will deploy this network for 7 years, with 14 measuring stations both inside and outside the wind farm. Earlier this month we installed the PAM network offshore, so we can start monitoring prior to the construction of our wind farm to perform a baseline measurement. Luitze Perk, CEO at WaterProof Marine Consultancy & Services B.V. “This is really a special project, because we are building an enormous data set.” Pauline Roos, Marine Ecologist at Ecowende adds: “What we hope to learn from the research is how harbour porpoises behave before, during and after the construction of the wind farm.” 📹 Watch the video to learn more. #teamingupwithnature #offshorewind #harbourporpoises #scientificresearch Shell, Eneco, Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.

This work by Ecowende (where HUB Ocean are partners) is an excellent example of how advanced technology can be used to gather valuable unstructured data and process it into decision-support information. The deployment of PAM stations on the seabed will provide crucial insights into the behavior of harbour porpoises 🐬, allowing for more informed decisions regarding marine biodiversity. However, it’s equally important to ensure that sufficient benchmark data is collected to quantify the impact on biodiversity when new areas of the ocean are dedicated to human infrastructure. This will help in balancing the need for renewable energy with the preservation of marine ecosystems 🌎

“It’s a good report as a big picture of what is happening in the landscape of energy and #OffshoreWind development in #NovaScotia,” Ecology Action Centre 's David Neira, but “there are still gaps [in the report] that need to be completed to get more knowledge about offshore wind, and its relation and interaction with the coast.” Read here👉 https://loom.ly/Kt4E6og

Ecological surveys are an integral part of our planning preparation and application, of which the findings are essential to protect the diverse nature of wildlife within the vicinity of our projects. Our contractors conduct ecology surveys to ensure that the projects we 're bringing forward, are sympathetic to the local species and help the wildlife around our sites to thrive once a project is constructed. We believe in working with our landowners to help improve land quality through habitat creation with grass mixes and wildflowers being sown to attract bees, pollinators and increase bio-diversity. This work-stream is imperative to allow us to build sufficient mitigation & ecology enhancements into our planning application, whilst supporting the delivery of a bio-diversity net gain on our projects. At Windel Energy we are passionate about protecting the biodiversity of the land whilst still being able to deliver clean energy generation and storage. #solar #renewables #BESS #energy #ecology

(archive: 2012) Don’t Get Caught in the Great Green Wind Scam’s Web of Lies! #ME: The Maine Woods, a publication of the Forest Ecology Network (https://lnkd.in/darpXrSG) Volume Twelve, Number One, January 2012 Don’t Get Caught in the Great Green Wind Scam’s Web of Lies! Contents Great Green Mountaintop Industrial Wind Scam, A Voice in the Wilderness – by Jonathan Carter The Villains of Mountaintop Industrial Wind: The Mountain Slayers and Profiteers of Maine Corporate Cronyism and the Great Green Wind Scam Flow Chart The Great Green Wind Scam – by Jonathan Carter Wind Integration: Does It Reduce . . . #windpower #windenergy

Collaboration is key to our success! So we're pleased to have worked with 11 other projects in the East and Northeast ScotWind regions to produce a report examining potential regional ornithological compensation measures that could be deployed at scale and contribute to the increased resilience of seabird populations in Scotland. This important study was carried out by Royal HaskoningDHV, HiDef Aerial Surveying Limited and with input from NiMa Consultants Ltd. The report highlights the challenge the industry is facing in delivering hashtag #offshorewind at scale under the current regulations. (see link to report in the comments) The developers are pleased that The Scottish Government has launched its Joint Environmental Accelerator Project (JEAP) initiative and are keen to continue the proactive, collaborative work to ensure these projects deliver real environmental benefit as well as delivering hashtag #netzero. Collectively, we believe that significant focus on this issue is essential to deliver Scotland’s 2045 net zero targets and realise the wider benefits of hashtag #floatingoffshore wind through hashtag #ScotWind. Continued collaboration between all stakeholder groups to devise a practicable and appropriate approach to compensation measures is vital if our net zero, energy security, and local supply chain ambitions are to become reality. #BellrockWind, #BroadshoreWind, Stromar Wind #Morven, #CampionWind, #MarramWind, #MuirMhòr, #Ayre, #Bowdun, #Caledonia, #Buchan & Ossian Wind Farm

Great to see this evaluated. I bet this applies to all manner of other animals too. "Our evaluation of plant-derived fire prescriptions suggests that the intervals considered acceptable for maintaining floristic diversity may not be sustainable for populations of birds requiring longer unburnt vegetation...Our findings highlight the potential vulnerability of fire-responsive bird species if fire prescriptions are applied in a manner that fails to account for the slow development of habitat resources needed by some species, and the variation detected within the responses of species. This highlights the need for species-specific data collected at an appropriate spatial scale to inform management plans."

How many ‘ists’ and ‘gists’ can it take to get a project over the line? Do you engage with any day to day? We have some brilliant opportunities to deliver amazing renewable energy projects, some are plain sailing, but others require the input of our ‘ist’ and ‘gist’ colleagues! Pictured here with our trusted expert, Millie, from ARBTECH, who is an Ecologist surveying a site for us to establish resident wildlife species, insects, birds, reptiles, mammals, indeed all the flora and fauna in the area to make sure that we know who and what lives there, and what we need to do to ensure that they are protected throughout the project delivery with minimal disturbance. We are also looking at Biodiversity Net Gain before and after, to make sure that the habitats are left in a better and where possible, more spacious environment in which to thrive, when we are done. Projects such as the one in question also call for close work with Arboriculturists, Archaeologists, Conservationists, Heritage Specialists, Soil Scientists and of course the Local Planning Officers! Whilst getting things right takes time, with ‘i’s dotted and ‘t’s crossed it is the only safe way to deliver energy projects that not only protect the wider environment through reduced carbon emissions, but that also provide a safe local environment for the smaller residents too. I love the work I do - Millie loves hers too! Practical Energy Solutions #renewableenergy #smallbusiness #netzero #conservation #ecology

If you're not sure what an Ecologist does for a living, watch this vid! You'll witness the shining example of safety risk management by Emily McCollum. Emily, you do an amazing job of demonstrating the professionalism and dedication of our Ecologists, including exemplary safety behaviours AtkinsRéalis #EnvironmentReimagined #Environment #Ecology