EMF

Physical fields generated by electrically charged objects.

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are physical fields that consists of both electric and magnetic components and are generated by electrically charged objects. In the case of wind energy and marine renewable energy devices, EMF may be generated around dynamic devices, substations, and most commonly, transmission cables. The distance over which EMF persist is typically dependent on the strength of the electrical charge, characteristics of the surrounding environment, and characteristics of the cable or device. For example, electric fields can typically be contained by burial of or shielding within a subsea transmission cable; however, magnetic fields are not as easily contained.

Marine organisms at high risk of EMF impacts are typically electro- and/or magneto-sensitive organisms such as elasmobranchs (i.e. sharks, skates, rays), some fish species (e.g. eels, sturgeon), sea turtles, and benthic invertebrates. Some of these organisms use Earth’s naturally occurring geomagnetic fields for navigation, orientation and predation. Thus, the addition of anthropogenic EMF may alter organisms’ movement, migration, and foraging behavior. High intensity EMF may additionally affect organisms’ developmental physiology. Current levels of EMF emitted from offshore wind and marine renewable energy devices have not yet reached high intensities, however, as the offshore energy industry expands, greater levels of EMF may result in additional effects on the marine environment.

For more information relevant to marine energy, check out the EMF Short Science Summary produced by OES-Environmental.

For more information relevant to offshore wind energy, check out the Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Effects on Marine Life research brief produced by SEER.

Photo Credit: ABB

Marine and Wind Energy Environmental Documents Related to EMF

Total results: 347
Title Author Date Content Type Technology Stressor Receptor
Clean Energy from the Ocean: Measuring the Environmental Footprint of Devices Rose, D., Gunn, C., Hemery, L. Magazine Article Marine Energy Changes in Flow, Collision, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Physical Environment, Human Dimensions
Environmental Effects of U.S. Offshore Wind Energy Development: Compilation of Educational Research Briefs SEER, Green, R., Hein, C. Summary Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise, Vessel Strike Bats, Birds, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Physical Environment, Reptiles
Current state of knowledge Electromagnetic fields: Electromagnetic fields and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive Descriptor 11 Energy Hermans, A., Schilt, B. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind EMF Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals
Powering Healthy Seas: Accelerating Nature Positive Offshore Wind Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Collision, Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Seabirds, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions, Fisheries, Marine Spatial Planning
Magnetic fields produced by subsea high-voltage direct current cables reduce swimming activity of haddock larvae (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) Cresci, A., Durif, C., Larsen, T. Journal Article Marine Energy, Wind Energy EMF Fish, Demersal Fish
Sunrise Wind COP Appendix J1: Offshore EMF Assessment Exponent Engineering P.C. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind EMF Fish, Marine Mammals, Reptiles
Sunrise Wind COP Appendix J2: Onshore EMF Assessment Exponent Engineering P.C. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind EMF
Environmental Impact Assessment and Life Cycle Assessment for a Deep Water Floating Offshore Wind Turbine on the Brazilian Continental Shelf de Paula, L., Carmo, B. Journal Article Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Seabirds, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Life Cycle Assessment
Offshore Wind Priority Conflict Topics for Marine Mammals and Birds Courbis, S., Pacini, A., Williams, K. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind EMF, Habitat Change Birds, Seabirds, Shorebirds, Marine Mammals, Cetaceans, Pinnipeds
Do magnetic fields related to submarine power cables affect the functioning of a common bivalve? Jakubowska-Lehrmann, M., Białowąs, M., Otremba, Z. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind EMF Invertebrates
Electromagnetic Field Effects on Marine Life SEER Summary Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind EMF Fish, Invertebrates
Review of fish and fisheries research to inform ScotMER evidence gaps and future strategic research in the UK Xoubanova, S., Lawrence, Z. Report Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Attraction, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Noise Fish, Human Dimensions, Fisheries, Stakeholder Engagement
Environmental Compatibility of the Parc Tramuntana Offshore Wind Project in Relation to Marine Ecosystems Diez-Caballero, K., Troiteiro, S., Garcia-Alba, J. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Changes in Flow, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Fish, Invertebrates, Physical Environment, Sediment Transport, Water Quality, Human Dimensions, Fisheries
Floating Offshore Wind: Environmental Interactions Roadmap: Public Summary Report ORE Catapult, Xodus Group Report Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Attraction, Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Bats, Birds, Fish, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions, Fisheries, Navigation
Quantifying Background Magnetic Fields at Marine Energy Sites: Challenges and Recommendations Grear, M., McVey, J., Cotter, E. Journal Article Marine Energy EMF
Can artificial magnetic fields alter the functional role of the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis? Albert, L., Maire, O., Olivier, F. Journal Article Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind EMF Invertebrates
Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) in the Tropics: An Overview of MRE Potential in Oaxaca, Mexico Oman, J. Report Marine Energy, Ocean Current, OTEC, Wave Changes in Flow, Collision, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Seabirds, Fish, Pelagic Fish, Marine Mammals, Cetaceans, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Legal & Policy, Recreation & Tourism, Social & Economic Data
The Effects of Anthropogenic Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) on the Early Development of Two Commercially Important Crustaceans, European Lobster, Homarus gammarus (L.) and Edible Crab, Cancer pagurus (L.) Harsanyi, P., Scott, K., Easton, B. Journal Article EMF Invertebrates
Effects of operational off-shore wind farms on fishes and fisheries Svendsen, J., Ibanez-Erquiaga, B., Savina, E. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind EMF, Noise Fish, Human Dimensions, Fisheries
Magnetic fields generated by the DC cables of offshore wind farms have no effect on spatial distribution or swimming behavior of lesser sandeel larvae (Ammodytes marinus) Cresci, A., Perrichon, P., Durif, C. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind EMF Fish, Pelagic Fish
Supplemental Data Regarding the Behavioral Response of Rock Crabs to the EMF of Subsea Cables and Potential Impact to Fisheries Williams, J., Jaco, E., Scholz, Z. Report Marine Energy, Wind Energy EMF Invertebrates
Project Summary of Outcomes and Results of Wave Energy in Southern Europe (WESE) Project Bald, J., Uyarra, M., Menchaca, I. Report Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Physical Environment, Human Dimensions, Marine Spatial Planning
ORJIP Ocean Energy Information Note: Electromagnetic Field Emissions Offshore Renewables Joint Industry Programme (ORJIP) Report Marine Energy EMF Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Reptiles, Sea Turtles
How can the impacts of an operating wind farm on marine mammals be assessed? Couturier, L., Curé, C., Labach, H. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Collision, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Marine Mammals
Insights into the behavioural responses of juvenile thornback ray Raja clavata to alternating and direct current magnetic fields Albert, L., Olivier, F., Jolivet, A. Journal Article Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind EMF Fish, Demersal Fish
Wave-Energy Devices Might Affect the Natural Environment: Scientists plan research to better understand effects Oregon State University, Pacific Marine Energy Center (PMEC), Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC) Magazine Article Marine Energy, Wave EMF, Entanglement, Noise Birds, Seabirds, Fish, Marine Mammals
Triton Field Trials: Promoting Consistent Environmental Monitoring Methodologies for Marine Energy Sites Eaves, S., Staines, G., Harker-Klimes, G. Journal Article Marine Energy Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Human Dimensions
Better utilisation and transparency of bird data collected by powerline companies Kettel, E., Thaxter, C., Oppel, S. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, EMF, Habitat Change Birds, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment
A Review of Modeling Approaches for Understanding and Monitoring the Environmental Effects of Marine Renewable Energy Buenau, K., Garavelli, L., Hemery, L. Journal Article Marine Energy, Ocean Current, Tidal, Wave Changes in Flow, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise
SafeWave DELIVERABLE 2.7 Guidelines on EMF, noise, and seabed integrity monitoring planning for wave energy devices Bald, J., Vinagre, P., Chainho, P. Report Marine Energy, Wave EMF, Habitat Change, Noise
Biological Consequences of Marine Energy Development on Marine Animals Hemery, L., Copping, A., Overhus, D. Journal Article Marine Energy, Tidal Changes in Flow, Collision, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Seabirds, Pelagic Fish, Invertebrates, Cetaceans, Pinnipeds
Electromagnetic Field Impacts on American Eel Movement and Migration from Direct Current Cables Hutchison, Z., Sigray, P., Gill, A. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind EMF Fish
Wozep midterm evaluation 2021 Odinga, J., Barbé, D., van Mastrigt, A. Report Land-Based Wind, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Bats, Birds, Ecosystem Processes, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Legal & Policy
FLOATGEN floating wind turbine environmental monitoring report, SEM-REV test site Reynaud, M., Le Bouhris, E., Soulard, T. Report Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind EMF, Noise Birds, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions
Environmental Information for Siting and Operation of Floating Tidal Turbines in U.S. Waters Copping, A., Garavelli, L., Overhus, D. Report Marine Energy, Tidal Collision, Displacement, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Seabirds, Fish, Marine Mammals
Environmental Impacts of Tidal and Wave Energy Converters Hutchison, Z., Lieber, L., Miller, R. Journal Article Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave Changes in Flow, Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Physical Environment
A Review of Biodiversity Data Needs and Monitoring Protocols for the Offshore Wind Energy Sector in the Baltic Sea and North Sea Stephenson, P. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Bats, Birds, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Physical Environment, Sediment Transport, Water Quality
Are fish in danger? A review of environmental effects of marine renewable energy on fishes Copping, A., Hemery, L., Viehman, H. Journal Article Marine Energy, Riverine, Tidal, Wave Avoidance, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Fish
Moving from scientific research to consenting guidance for MRE environmental risk Copping, A., Rose, D., Freeman, M. Conference Paper Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave Changes in Flow, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Legal & Policy, Social & Economic Data, Stakeholder Engagement
European Scalable Offshore Renewable Energy Source (EU-SCORES) Francisco Correia da Fonseca Research Study Marine Energy, Wave, Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Changes in Flow, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Demersal Fish, Pelagic Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Cetaceans, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Fisheries, Legal & Policy, Marine Spatial Planning
Displaying 81 - 120 of 347 results