WAVE ENERGY
Along with tidal energy, the expansion of wave energy has resulted in a number of developments in recent years. As with other marine industries, a number of project elements pose risks to marine mammals and as such, SMRU Consulting has established a role in advising and contributing to the environmental impact assessment process.
Our wave energy projects to date are summarised below:
Wave & Tidal Position papers: Bringing together an academic research base and the marine renewable energy sector including regulators and policy-makers, we produced a position paper which reviewed key studies and provided a summary of the current state of knowledge regarding potential environmental impacts associated with marine renewables and marine mammals.
Marine mammal monitoring guidance: We authored the Cetaceans, Basking Sharks, and Seals volume of the “Guidance on Survey and Monitoring in Relation to Marine Renewables Deployments in Scotland”. Our expertise showcased options and detailed protocols for the conduct of site characterisation surveys and impact monitoring programmes for Wave and Tidal marine renewables developments.
Marwick Head wave farm: We worked with Scottish Power Renewables to provide a Scoping report of marine mammals present around the waters of Orkney and the Mainland where Marwick Head’s wave farm site is.
Aegir wave farm: We provided developed the EIA strategy for the Aegir wave farm off Shetland including a baseline review of marine mammal relevant data and a screening of potential impacts for EIA and HRA and presented a case for a judicious monitoring programme to Marine Scotland (Science and MSLOT) and Scottish Natural Heritage.
Site characterization guidance: SMRU Consulting, working with NRW and experts from SMRU and SAMS developed a new set of guidance on marine mammal surveying requirements at wave and tidal stream energy sites in Wales.
For more information on our experience in this sector, please see our blog and publications.
