Speakers:
François Batifoulier, Sabella
Caitlin Long, EMEC
The environmental impact of deploying ocean energy devices has to be considered during all stages of a project’s development and operation – from the drawing board, to the site selection and to the active management of the devices’ performance.
With little real data collected so far, it is difficult to make plans, strategies and adjustments to minimise possible environmental impacts. This can also create problems at the consenting stage, with public authorities uncertain as to what Environmental Impact Assessments should include and what monitoring should be mandated.
Tidal turbine manufacturer, Sabella, and the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) have both recently conducted extended environmental monitoring around their deployed ocean energy devices. Representatives from both organisations shared their results and experience.
Participants in the webinar had the chance to discuss the findings and bring forward their own expertise. The webinar should help understand what environmental impacts ocean energy devices are likely to have and what steps can be taken to avoid or minimise them.
