QUADRAT DTP: Impacts of Offshore Wind Turbines on fishing and the environment: An assessment of Bottom-fixed versus Floating Wind Turbine Concepts.

Laws enacted by the UK and devolved administration mandates achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. Floating offshore wind is a key technology to decarbonize electricity generation as the sites available for fixed structures are limited. Alternative wind turbine foundations have been introduced for both bottom-fixed and floating concepts. Depending on the depth, offshore site and environmental conditions, different types of floaters and fixed-structures are used to support wind turbines. This is normally selected by considering various types of load calculation to assess structural integrity and robustness of the entire system. However, the environmental impacts of different support structures may be different and can influence the selection of a specific concept. The impact on marine flora and fauna will be impacted in both positive and negative ways that are distinct for each structure location and design. In particular fish life cycles can be impacted which can change fish stocks and the structures, cables and mooring lines interfere with fishing technologies. Which will impact the fishing industry.

In this research, the sustainability of alternative bottom-fixed (such as mono-pile, tripod, jacket, etc.) and floating wind turbines (such as semisubmersible, spar, TLP, etc.) with different anchoring systems (suction, piles, etc.) will be assessed and compared for their environmental impact and effect on the fishing industry. In addition the lifecycle GHG cost of the turbines and associated structures OPEX and CAPEX and the total lifetime electricity generation will be evaluated to determine the actual electricity GHG cost in g CO2e kWh-1 for the various turbine designs. The impact of the different structures on natural capital and the associated ecosystem services will be evaluated with particular attention given to the impact on fisheries and major changes to the marine environment, fish stocks and fishing access. This PhD project will engage with the offshore wind and fishing industries to enhance the Environmental Impact assessment of the various structures to minimize electricity GHG cost and help design mitigation strategies for impact on critical marine receptors, such as fisheries and the fishing industry.

More project details are available here: https://www.quadrat.ac.uk/projects/impacts-of-offshore-wind-turbines-on-fishing-and-the-environment-an-assessment-of-bottom-fixed-versus-floating-wind-turbine-concepts/

How to apply: https://www.quadrat.ac.uk/how-to-apply/