Skip to main content

Assessment of cumulative impacts in offshore wind developments

Thesis

Title: Assessment of cumulative impacts in offshore wind developments
Author:
Shearer, K.
Publication Date:
Thesis Type:
Master's Thesis
Academic Department:
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Pages:
97
Affiliation
University of Strathclyde
Technology:
Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind
Stressor:
Habitat Change, Noise
Receptor:
Physical Environment, Human Dimensions
Language:
English

Document Access

Website:
External Link
Attachment:
Access File

Citation

Shearer, K. (2013). Assessment of cumulative impacts in offshore wind developments (Master's Thesis). University of Strathclyde.
@mastersthesis{Shearer-2013-2142053,
author = {Shearer, K},
title = {Assessment of cumulative impacts in offshore wind developments},
school = {University of Strathclyde},
year = {2013},
month = {sep},
url = {https://www.esru.strath.ac.uk/Documents/MSc_2013/Shearer.pdf},
keywords = {Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Habitat Change, Noise, Physical Environment, Human Dimensions},
}
Export Citation to BibTex
TY - THES
TI - Assessment of cumulative impacts in offshore wind developments
AU - Shearer, K
AB - Offshore wind has become the technology of choice in order for the UK government to reach their carbon emission reduction targets by 2020. By use of Environmental impact assessment (EIA) techniques, potential impacts are assessed and mitigation options explored. Many EIA's use the "Rochdale Envelope" to determine the parameters in which the project will fall, therefore mitigating against any possible impact in a wide range of constraints. This was particularly useful in Round 1 and 2 of the Crown Estate release of the seabed as there were many unknowns particularly about the construction and operational phases of the projects and therefore the ability to have a wide range of parameters was an advantage. However for Round 3 projects this is creating issues in terms of maximum potential impacts exceeding the limitations allowed in EU directives when projects are considered in combination; the cumulative impact is too large using the "worst case scenario". This is putting potential projects in danger of being denied planning permission as they will be too detrimental to the environment. Key objectives were to model the environmental impact of different base structures and rated capacities of turbines in cumulative scenarios as technology is likely to change over the course of the future. The relationship between installation methods and mitigation techniques were examined for both scour and noise, and an economic study is carried out. Using the Environmental Evaluation System (EES) it is realised that as technology progresses, fewer turbines are installed to reach the developments rated capacity. The cumulative impacts of installation operation and decommissioning are therefore reduced and the "worst case" as defined in the Rochdale Envelope will be more defined, allowing more projects to be commissioned. Fewer turbines will also lead to less intrusive installation periods, and less scour, both of which are detrimental to the surrounding environment. However base structures, turbines and installation techniques are not only guided by environmental constraints, but also engineering and economic factors have to be taken into consideration.
DA - 2013/09//
PY - 2013
SP - 97
PB - University of Strathclyde
UR - https://www.esru.strath.ac.uk/Documents/MSc_2013/Shearer.pdf
LA - English
M3 - Master's Thesis
KW - Wind Energy
KW - Fixed Offshore Wind
KW - Habitat Change
KW - Noise
KW - Physical Environment
KW - Human Dimensions
ER -
Export Citation to RIS

Abstract

Offshore wind has become the technology of choice in order for the UK government to reach their carbon emission reduction targets by 2020. By use of Environmental impact assessment (EIA) techniques, potential impacts are assessed and mitigation options explored. Many EIA's use the "Rochdale Envelope" to determine the parameters in which the project will fall, therefore mitigating against any possible impact in a wide range of constraints. This was particularly useful in Round 1 and 2 of the Crown Estate release of the seabed as there were many unknowns particularly about the construction and operational phases of the projects and therefore the ability to have a wide range of parameters was an advantage. However for Round 3 projects this is creating issues in terms of maximum potential impacts exceeding the limitations allowed in EU directives when projects are considered in combination; the cumulative impact is too large using the "worst case scenario". This is putting potential projects in danger of being denied planning permission as they will be too detrimental to the environment. 

Key objectives were to model the environmental impact of different base structures and rated capacities of turbines in cumulative scenarios as technology is likely to change over the course of the future. The relationship between installation methods and mitigation techniques were examined for both scour and noise, and an economic study is carried out. 

Using the Environmental Evaluation System (EES) it is realised that as technology progresses, fewer turbines are installed to reach the developments rated capacity. The cumulative impacts of installation operation and decommissioning are therefore reduced and the "worst case" as defined in the Rochdale Envelope will be more defined, allowing more projects to be commissioned. 

Fewer turbines will also lead to less intrusive installation periods, and less scour, both of which are detrimental to the surrounding environment. However base structures, turbines and installation techniques are not only guided by environmental constraints, but also engineering and economic factors have to be taken into consideration.