TY - RPRT
TI - Assessment of Technology Gaps for Statistically Robust Data and Integration of Monitoring of Birds and Marine Mammals into Equipment and Operations of Offshore Windfarms
AU - Schultz, M
AB - To reduce carbon emissions from the generation of energy via fossil fuels, OSW energy development is expanding globally (Borowski 2022). Given this rapid and large-scale expansion, it is important to understand and mitigate the effects of OSW energy development on wildlife; however, it can be difficult to study the effects in a statistically robust manner. Current wildlife monitoring technologies are in many cases unable to collect the necessary types and amount of data required to robustly answer questions about OSW site assessment, impacts, and mitigation efficiency (Allison et al. 2019). Additionally, technologies are seldom integrated into OSW infrastructure and operational procedures (Carlson et al. 2012), which can both limit the effectiveness of data collection and increase deployment costs. Integration, in this context, includes both ability to place and maintain technology on and in OSW infrastructure and potentially transmit power and data through those structures, as well as ability to use operations platforms (e.g., vessels for OSW maintenance) to reduce time at sea, cost, and other constraints that arise when wildlife and OSW monitoring activities are independent of each other. Wildlife data collection should ultimately be scientifically robust and question-driven so that results can meaningfully inform future site assessment, impact assessments, and adaptive management (Regional Synthesis Workgroup of the Environmental Technical Working Group [E-TWG] 2023).There has been successful deployment of technologies for monitoring (e.g., some are described in Offshore Renewables Joint Industry Programme for Offshore Wind 2022), and we have reviewed such technologies in the context of determining potential adaptations to improve data collection and ease of access and use. Resources such as the open access "Wind Energy Monitoring and Mitigation Technologies Tool” database (https://tethys.pnnl.gov/wind-energy-monitoring-mitigation-technologiestool) list existing monitoring tools for energy projects for a variety of wildlife and habitats; however, to date, there has been no comprehensive assessment of the capabilities of wildlife monitoring technologies in the context of statistical robustness, nor the ability to address key research needs and data gaps. In addition, analyses to date have not evaluated the capacity for integration of monitoring technologies into the normal operations and maintenance of OSW farms. Such integration can require substantial coordination and planning but is essential to deploy monitoring technologies efficiently and effectively.This study integrates information from a comprehensive literature review, including the scientific literature, technical and government reports, and other information on existing monitoring technologies, with expert workshops to 1) identify technology gaps for wildlife monitoring and 2) identify key technology research and development (R&D) priorities to better achieve statistically robust data and 10 successful integration of monitoring technologies into OSW farm infrastructure and operations. Technologies that can be used for a variety of purposes (e.g., to inform site characterization and risk assessment, as well as to enact mitigation and assess short- or long-term impacts) were examined, with a focus on methods that assess the effects of OSW development on birds and marine mammals for fixed and floating wind projects in the U.S. Pacific, Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Great Lakes regions. The technical specifications and capabilities of existing monitoring technologies, as well as limitations of data collection and integration with offshore structures, were synthesized to identify urgent technology development needs where financial resources could be directed to reduce market barriers most effectively to development.Monitoring should be question-driven and support statistically robust research and regulatory decisions. The recommendations in this report aim to support improvement of monitoring technology capabilities to answer key research questions to better inform future mitigation and adaptive management of OSW development.
DA - 2024/01//
PY - 2024
SP - 44
PB - National Offshore Wind Research & Development Consortium
SN - 418160-42106
UR - https://nationaloffshorewind.org/wp-content/uploads/113-165486_Final-Project-Report-1-23-24.pdf
LA - English
KW - Wind Energy
KW - Fixed Offshore Wind
KW - Birds
KW - Marine Mammals
ER -