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The Effects on Subsurface Marine Biodiversity from Offshore Wind Power Plants - Exploring Mitigation Measures and Enhancement of Biodiversity through Nature Inclusive Design

Lundgren, Hanna LU and Thoresson, Emma LU (2024) In ISRN LUTFD2/TFEM—24/5208--SE + (1-85) FMIM01 20241
Environmental and Energy Systems Studies
Abstract
The demand for renewable energy is extensive while biodiversity is reclining with unprecedented rates of species and habitat loss. Offshore wind power provides renewable energy while also affecting local marine biodiversity – negatively and positively. The offshore wind power plants contribute to effects such as underwater noise, resuspension and settling of sediment, seabed habitat loss, reef effect caused by introduced hard substrate, indirect effects and cumulative effects. Common measures to minimise the negative effects include for example bubble curtains for noise reduction. To achieve a net positive effect on biodiversity, the reef effect can be enhanced by design of foundation and scour protection as well as through Nature... (More)
The demand for renewable energy is extensive while biodiversity is reclining with unprecedented rates of species and habitat loss. Offshore wind power provides renewable energy while also affecting local marine biodiversity – negatively and positively. The offshore wind power plants contribute to effects such as underwater noise, resuspension and settling of sediment, seabed habitat loss, reef effect caused by introduced hard substrate, indirect effects and cumulative effects. Common measures to minimise the negative effects include for example bubble curtains for noise reduction. To achieve a net positive effect on biodiversity, the reef effect can be enhanced by design of foundation and scour protection as well as through Nature Inclusive Design. Nature Inclusive Design is a collective term that includes structures aimed to contribute with habitat for species and ecosystems. The measures were applied on a case study of a planned offshore wind power project, owned by Eolus. The measures to enhance biodiversity were presented in different layouts. Representatives from the County Administrative Board were interviewed to gather opinions on how Nature Inclusive Design affects the permitting process. A wind power project must be admissible by itself, but the implementation of Nature Inclusive Design in wind power projects could lead to potential advantages in the permitting process if the long-term positive effects are established. It is important to consider the local conditions and the target species in an area in order for the enhancement measures to be effective. By utilising the proposed measures to minimise negative effects and enhance positive effects, a balance regarding renewable energy and enhancement of local biodiversity can be established. (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
Efterfrågan på förnybar energi är stor och samtidigt minskar den biologiska mångfalden i en aldrig tidigare skådad takt, med förlust av arter och livsmiljöer. Havsbaserad vindkraft ger förnybar energi och påverkar samtidigt lokal marin biologisk mångfald – negativt och positivt. Havsbaserade vindkraftsparker bidrar till effekter såsom undervattensbuller, resuspension och pålagring av sediment, förlust av livsmiljöer på havsbotten, reveffekt till följd av införande av hårda substrat, indirekta effekter och kumulativa effekter. Åtgärder för att minimera de negativa effekterna inkluderar bland annat bubbelridåer för bullerreducering. För att uppnå en positiv nettoeffekt på den biologiska mångfalden kan reveffekten förstärkas genom utformning... (More)
Efterfrågan på förnybar energi är stor och samtidigt minskar den biologiska mångfalden i en aldrig tidigare skådad takt, med förlust av arter och livsmiljöer. Havsbaserad vindkraft ger förnybar energi och påverkar samtidigt lokal marin biologisk mångfald – negativt och positivt. Havsbaserade vindkraftsparker bidrar till effekter såsom undervattensbuller, resuspension och pålagring av sediment, förlust av livsmiljöer på havsbotten, reveffekt till följd av införande av hårda substrat, indirekta effekter och kumulativa effekter. Åtgärder för att minimera de negativa effekterna inkluderar bland annat bubbelridåer för bullerreducering. För att uppnå en positiv nettoeffekt på den biologiska mångfalden kan reveffekten förstärkas genom utformning av vindkraftsfundament och erosionsskydd samt med naturinkluderande design (Nature Inclusive Design). Naturinkluderande design är ett samlingsbegrepp som innefattar strukturer som syftar till att bidra med livsmiljöer för arter och ekosystem. Dessa åtgärder tillämpades på en fallstudie av ett planerat havsbaserat vindkraftsprojekt, ägt av Eolus. Åtgärderna för att förbättra den biologiska mångfalden presenterades i olika layouter. Representanter från Länsstyrelsen intervjuades för att samla in synpunkter kring hur naturinkluderande design påverkar tillståndsprocessen. Ett vindkraftsprojekt måste vara tillåtligt i sig, men implementeringen av naturinkluderande design i vindkraftsprojekt kan potentiellt leda till fördelar i tillståndsprocessen om långsiktiga positiva effekter fastställs. Det har också konstaterats att hänsyn till lokala förhållanden och målarterna i ett område är mycket viktigt för att förbättringsåtgärderna ska bli effektiva. Genom att utnyttja de föreslagna åtgärderna för att minimera negativa effekter och förstärka positiva effekter kan en balans uppnås mellan förnybar energi och främjande av lokal biologisk mångfald. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Lundgren, Hanna LU and Thoresson, Emma LU
supervisor
organization
course
FMIM01 20241
year
type
H3 - Professional qualifications (4 Years - )
subject
keywords
Biodiversity, Offshore wind power, Mitigation hierarchy, Nature Positive, Environmental Impact, Nature Inclusive Design, Permitting process
publication/series
ISRN LUTFD2/TFEM—24/5208--SE + (1-85)
report number
ISRN LUTFD2/TFEM—24/5208--SE + (1-85)
ISSN
1102-3651
language
English
id
9168502
date added to LUP
2024-07-01 12:29:06
date last changed
2024-07-01 12:29:06
@misc{9168502,
  abstract     = {{The demand for renewable energy is extensive while biodiversity is reclining with unprecedented rates of species and habitat loss. Offshore wind power provides renewable energy while also affecting local marine biodiversity – negatively and positively. The offshore wind power plants contribute to effects such as underwater noise, resuspension and settling of sediment, seabed habitat loss, reef effect caused by introduced hard substrate, indirect effects and cumulative effects. Common measures to minimise the negative effects include for example bubble curtains for noise reduction. To achieve a net positive effect on biodiversity, the reef effect can be enhanced by design of foundation and scour protection as well as through Nature Inclusive Design. Nature Inclusive Design is a collective term that includes structures aimed to contribute with habitat for species and ecosystems. The measures were applied on a case study of a planned offshore wind power project, owned by Eolus. The measures to enhance biodiversity were presented in different layouts. Representatives from the County Administrative Board were interviewed to gather opinions on how Nature Inclusive Design affects the permitting process. A wind power project must be admissible by itself, but the implementation of Nature Inclusive Design in wind power projects could lead to potential advantages in the permitting process if the long-term positive effects are established. It is important to consider the local conditions and the target species in an area in order for the enhancement measures to be effective. By utilising the proposed measures to minimise negative effects and enhance positive effects, a balance regarding renewable energy and enhancement of local biodiversity can be established.}},
  author       = {{Lundgren, Hanna and Thoresson, Emma}},
  issn         = {{1102-3651}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{ISRN LUTFD2/TFEM—24/5208--SE + (1-85)}},
  title        = {{The Effects on Subsurface Marine Biodiversity from Offshore Wind Power Plants - Exploring Mitigation Measures and Enhancement of Biodiversity through Nature Inclusive Design}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}