Wind Watch: September 2023

Floating offshore wind farms in Mediterranean marine protected areas: a cautionary tale #ESP

Abstract – As offshore wind energy expands in Europe, maritime planners increasingly need to consider the potential effects of these activities on the different types of marine protected areas (MPAs), including Natura 2000 sites. The aim of this article is to critically review the initial development of offshore wind energy inside and/or in the vicinity of Mediterranean Natura 2000 sites and other types of MPAs. The western Mediterranean Sea is taken as an example as this is where most of the . . .

http://dlvr.it/Swkxqy

High Bat Fatality Rates Estimated at Wind Farms in Southern Spain #ESP

Abstract – An astonishing number of bat fatalities (2,371 belonging to 15 species) were recovered in a provincial surveillance program at wind farms in Cádiz, at the southern tip of Spain, in 2005–2016. We carefully analysed a subset of this sample intending to estimate the true fatality rate in the year 2011, the year for which we had the richest data set (582 fatalities at 38 wind farms). To estimate the true fatality rate, we conducted search-efficiency and scavenger-removal trials in . . .

http://dlvr.it/SwksC9

Wind turbine size comparison

Wind turbine size comparison - from National Renewable Energy Laboratory

http://dlvr.it/Swfvxb

Substation for Vineyard Wind

Substation for the 804-MW Vineyard Wind offshore wind energy project - photo by courtesy of Doug Lindley

http://dlvr.it/Swfvt3

Floating offshore wind farms in Mediterranean marine protected areas: a cautionary tale #ESP

High Bat Fatality Rates Estimated at Wind Farms in Southern Spain #ESP

Seasonal patterns of bird and bat collision fatalities at wind turbines #USA

Abstract – Information on when birds and bats die from collisions with wind turbines can help refine efforts to minimize fatalities via curtailment of energy productions and can offer insight into the risk factors associated with collision fatalities. Using data pooled from 114 post-construction monitoring studies conducted at wind facilities across the United States, we described seasonal patterns of fatalities among birds and bats. Bat fatalities peaked in the fall. Silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans), a long-distance migrant, and Mexican free-tailed bat . . .

http://dlvr.it/SwdMvq

General Specification V112–3.0 MW

1. General Description The Vestas V112-3.0 MW wind turbine is a pitch regulated upwind turbine with active yaw and a three-blade rotor. The Vestas V112-3.0 MW turbine has a rotor diameter of 112 m and a rated output power of 3.075 MW. The turbine utilises the OptiTip concept and a power system based on a permanent magnet generator and full-scale converter. With these features, the wind turbine is able to operate the rotor at variable speed and thereby maintaining the power output at . . .
http://dlvr.it/SwWYYQ

Environmental Impact Assessment of Sacrificial Anode Method in Taiwan Strait #TWN

An offshore wind turbine is set in a highly corrosive marine environment. Its base structure is completely immersed in the seawater. Conventional corrosion prevention methods use both a cathodic protection and a coating method to enhance corrosion protection to protect the structure. Cathodic corrosion protection is an electrochemical process applying the principles of electrochemical cells transforming a metal material into a cathode. There are two types of cathodic protection: “applied current cathodic protection” and “passive galvanic cathodic protection”. The development . . .
http://dlvr.it/SwTRVb

General Specification V112–3.0 MW

Whales stop singing and rock lobsters lose their balance: how seismic surveys can harm marine life #AUS

Woodside Energy this week announced it would start seismic testing for its Scarborough gas project off Australia’s west coast, before reversing the decision in the face of a legal challenge from Traditional Owners. Seismic testing is highly controversial in marine environments. The federal regulator (the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority) is currently examining a proposal for seismic testing in the Otway Basin in Bass Strait, which conservationists say has attracted more than 30,000 public submissions. Seismic testing . . .
http://dlvr.it/SwCPH8

Whales stop singing and rock lobsters lose their balance: how seismic surveys can harm marine life #AUS

Seasonal patterns of bird and bat collision fatalities at wind turbines #USA

Evaluation of risk perception related with environmental noise among residents living in different vicinities of wind turbines #TUR

ABSTRACT – This cross-sectional study assessed residents’ risk perceptions and associated factors in three rural areas by administering a face-to-face questionnaire to 282 subjects. The association between the perception of risk related to wind turbines and related factors such as noise and annoyance was analysed. Outdoor A-weighted sound pressure levels were measured for all. According to regression analysis, age (B: −0.008, 95% CI: −0.015/−0.002), education (B: 0.415, 95% CI: 0.148/−0.682), noise level day (B: −0.040, 95% CI: −0.068/−0.013), noise annoyance indoors . . .
http://dlvr.it/Svssx7

Seasonal patterns of bird and bat collision fatalities at wind turbines #USA

Environmental Impact Assessment of Sacrificial Anode Method in Taiwan Strait #TWN

Projected cross-shore changes in upwelling induced by offshore wind farm development along the California coast #CA

[Abstract] In California offshore waters, sustained northwesterly winds have been identified as a key resource that can contribute substantially to renewable energy goals. However, the development of large-scale offshore wind farms can reduce the wind stress at the sea surface, which could affect wind-driven upwelling, nutrient delivery, and ecosystem dynamics. Here we examine changes to upwelling using atmospheric and ocean circulation numerical models together with a hypothetical upper bound buildout scenario of 877 turbines spread across three areas of interest. . . .
http://dlvr.it/SvmGRn