Posters
Come meet the poster presenters to ask them questions and discuss their work
We would like to invite you to come and see the posters at our upcoming conference. The posters will showcase a diverse range of research topics, and will give delegates an opportunity to engage with the authors and learn more about their work. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or simply curious about the latest developments in your field, we believe that the posters will offer something of interest to everyone. So please join us at the conference and take advantage of this opportunity to learn and engage with your peers in industry and the academic community.
PO039: Improving biodiversity monitoring in offshore wind farms using new technologies: practical and policy challenges and opportunities
Marjolein Kelder, Senior Project Manager The Rich North Sea Program, Natuur & Milieu
Abstract
Biodiversity in the offshore wind energy sector has been getting more attention in the last few years. Many major offshore wind developers have adopted biodiversity net gain policies, and research by Wind Europe shows that many countries are including biodiversity impacts as a non-price criterion on site auctions. With the increased focus on biodiversity gain and impacts, monitoring technologies will play a vital role in determining these gains and impacts on-site. Currently, the impacts on marine biodiversity in offshore wind farms are not fully understood, and performing in-depth ecology research is expensive. In addition to that, there are few incentives for operators to invest in biodiversity enhancement or optimisations when the benefits and risks of failures are not clear. In a time where material and plant costs are dramatically increasing, investors want to reduce external risks as much as possible, making it harder to invest in monitoring technologies. BeWild has brought together Fugro, The Rich North Sea, Wageningen University, CrossWind Offshore Wind, Mecal, and Seekable, to develop a remote system that integrates ecological monitoring with subsea asset inspection in a single operation. Using environmental DNA (eDNA), computer vision, and machine learning deployed from an uncrewed surface vessel and electric remotely operated vehicle platform, BeWild is creating a new way to study marine life around offshore wind turbines without disturbing the environment or adding extra time to regular underwater inspections. The project is delivering: * A repeatable, remote inspection method combining asset and ecological monitoring; * New genomic data on North Sea marine species to support long-term eDNA monitoring; * Biodiversity-enhancing modules integrated into scour protection; * Improved subsea cable monitoring using magnetic field measurements; * Research into practical policy interventions to boost biodiversity in offshore wind. BeWild aims to demonstrate how innovation in offshore operations can support infrastructure integrity and marine ecosystem health.
No recording available for this poster.
