Examining the marine impact of offshore wind growth

We ran tests using 1:20 scale models representing current and future offshore wind farm monopile sizes in partnership with Bangor University in our physical modelling laboratories. This allowed us to examine how turbines bases of different sizes cause changes to current flows, which result in sediment moving and alterations to the seabed. 

We are using data from the lab tests to validate our numerical models, which our team is developing to assess the impact on the seabed from an array of wind turbines – for both current sized bases and larger future ones. 

Installing the next generation of offshore wind farms is likely to mobilise sediment in places where the seabed may otherwise be relatively stable. Their bases may affect the seabed around each wind turbine, making new fields of bed forms, such as ripples and dunes. These features may be attractive habitats for smaller marine creatures, providing food for fish, which seabirds then feed upon. Colleagues in the ECOWind-ACCELERATE project will look at whether these impacts are positive or negative for overall ecosystem services.

The research findings from the four-year ECOWind project will identify opportunities for the integration of wider conservation efforts in UK waters, with mitigation against negative impacts of wind farms and support for biodiversity net gain initiatives.

• Bangor University
• National Oceanography Centre (NOC)
• Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)
• HR Wallingford
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
• University of Liverpool
• Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ)

A list of the ECOWind-ACCELERATE partners can be found on the ECOWind website, along with other information about the project.