Thistle Wind Partners’ Post

DeTect, Inc. has developed a motion-stabilized True3D Bird Detection Radar (BDR) to support buoy and floating platform offshore wind farm project development and operation. The MERLIN™ 7360s is based on DeTect’s industry-proven MERLIN True3D bird radar technology and includes motion stabilization platform and software to compensate for wave and buoy movement. The system is currently in final testing at DeTect’s Panama City, Florida headquarters before undergoing certification testing off the French coast in early 2024. “The 7360s represents a breakthrough in offshore avian mortality risk assessment, monitoring and mitigation technology allowing wind farm developers and operators to conduct quantitative pre-construction risk assessment of proposed offshore wind projects and mitigate bird mortality in real-time”, said Gary W. Andrews, DeTect’s President and CEO. Find out more > https://lnkd.in/eFb8VzA9 #RenewableEnergy #WindPower #MarineTech #SustainableTechnology #CleanEnergy #Innovation #TechDevelopment #EnvironmentalMonitoring #OffshoreWind #EcoTech #OffshoreWind #WindEnergy

Hi colleagues, check out this webinar about noise from offshore wind farms. It will be presented by DHI's underwater acoustic experts. Very relevant for people working on environmental management of offshore wind farms!

Imagine.. the ocean gave you the power to improve marine governance ✨🌊 Specifically to address some of the persistent institutional barriers that hamper effective policy performance. Which ones would you tackle as a matter of priority? In PERMAGOV we're developing a diagnostic tool 🩺 to help marine experts, practitioners and enthusiasts understand how 11 known barriers manifest themselves in shipping, offshore wind energy, and the management of MPAs, seabed, and marine litter. The list includes: 1️⃣ Actor eligibility 2️⃣ Actor roles and responsibilities 3️⃣ Actors control and power distribution 4️⃣ Actor accountability 5️⃣ Actor connectivity 6️⃣ Conflict mechanisms 7️⃣ Development and use of knowledge 8️⃣ Scale of institutions 9️⃣ Rigidity of institutions 🔟 Formality of institutions 1️⃣1️⃣ Institutionalised incentives The report provides real-life examples of these barriers and the associated governance problems. Read more ⬇ https://lnkd.in/d-gMFhMM

Sharing our experience surveying in shallow marine intertidal zone. Presentation: Potential Challenges in Hydrographic and Geophysical Survey for Offshore Wind Farm Development in the Mekong Delta Provinces 

An excellent synopsis of why floating offshore wind is a critical climate action for marine species preservation. Burning fossil fuels is the primary cause of species depletion and FOSW is a proven, industrial scale replacement.

Developing cetacean-friendly guidelines, from whale watching to offshore wind farm operation - Frontiers in Marine Science: Developing offshore wind farms may impact cetaceans due to vessel collisions and underwater noise. Therefore, it is critical to protect cetaceans while developing offshore wind farms. We first studied the code of conduct/guidelines for whale watching and then interviewed members of the local whale-watching industry to learn about the interaction between cetaceans and vessels. After that, we compared current whale-watching guidelines in Taiwan with 69 published guidelines from other countries and locations, then developed guidelines for the offshore wind farm industry. The results show that rules related to approaching and interacting with cetaceans in Taiwan are similar to those in other countries. However, swimming with cetaceans and approaching calves are prohibited in Taiwan. From the survey of the whale-watching industry, most whale-watching guidelines in Taiwan were found to be feasible, and the guidelines should be described in the premise with different phenotypic traits of various cetaceans. Based on the whale-watching guidelines, we developed a code of conduct for protecting cetaceans from the impact of vessels, specifically in offshore wind farm operations in Taiwan. https://lnkd.in/ecsqmDSq

Great to see Massachusetts' focus on the responsible development of offshore wind. New England needs #OffshoreWind to meet growing energy demands and clean air goals. Check out these best practices and guidance for offshore wind resources from the state of Massachusetts: https://bit.ly/3StJyt0

Holding oil and gas companies accountable 💯 New reform rules will ensure oil and gas companies clean up after themselves and encourage more public participation in oil and gas projects. Listen or read to learn more 📲 https://ow.ly/KgHE50ShuP5 #OilAndGasReform #ReformLeasing #PublicLands

🌊 EVENT: GUH Moorings and Anchors Conference & Workshop 📅 Wednesday, 06 March 2024 🕣 08:30 – 16:30 📍 The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle Major investment is set to be made in developing floating offshore wind in UK waters in the coming decades. To deliver this, thousands of anchors, lengths of chain, buoyancy units and clump weights will be required alongside thousands of kilometres of rope. Next month, Global Underwater Hub will host a one-day conference and workshop focused on the key elements of the life cycle of mooring and anchoring systems that will be needed to meet the planned investment in floating offshore wind, not just in the UK, but also overseas. Taking place in Newcastle, this event will bring together key industry stakeholders to discuss underwater mooring and anchoring systems. If you are involved in floating offshore wind, or designing, manufacturing, transporting, installing, inspecting, repairing and maintaining mooring and anchoring systems, this conference and workshop is a must attend event. An excellent line-up of speakers will present at the event, including representatives of InterMoor, Bridon-Bekaert The Ropes Group, Delmar Systems, DOF, First Marine Solutions, Flotation Energy, Global Maritime, Ossian Wind Farm, PGS, SCHOTTEL Marine Technologies and Global Underwater Hub. Book your place and be part of the discussion around this important area of underwater engineering. 💻 Full details: https://lnkd.in/eKN8z3wP #GUHMoorings #GlobalUnderwaterHub #GUHEvents #Newcastle #MooringsandAnchors #offshorewind #floatingoffshorewind #floatingsystems #moorings #floatingwind #underwaterengineering #Newcastlevents #offshorerenewables

January 25, 2024- BY: HEATHER RICHARDS - EE News, "The plight of the North Atlantic #rightwhale is one of several conflicts facing the growing offshore wind industry. ------ GREENWIRE | NOAA Fisheries and the Interior Department released a final strategy Thursday to protect the dwindling North Atlantic right whale population as the offshore #windindustry booms in its habitat. The plan (https://lnkd.in/etdg_6_q), developed by NOAA and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, lays out four possible stressors for the whales from the industry: ocean noise, vessel strikes, entanglement — such as with the cables that secure floating wind platforms to the seafloor — and changes to the whale’s habitat. The strategy prioritizes avoiding harm and mitigating impacts, as well as collaborative research. Its release underscores the potential conflicts arising from the nascent industry as state and national clean energy targets spur a rush of offshore wind construction in the northern Atlantic. “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring offshore wind energy development is done in a responsible manner,” said BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein in a statement. “That’s why we have increased our efforts to develop a strategy — based on the best available science — that will allow us to protect the North Atlantic right whale while meeting our offshore wind goals.” The #Bidenadministration aims to lift enough offshore wind by 2030 to power 10 million homes. The first two large offshore wind farms are under construction — of six that have been approved by BOEM since Biden took office. The agency has committed to advancing 16 projects by 2025. One of the most endangered large whales in the world, North Atlantic right whales nearly disappeared due to commercial whaling by the late 1800s. Their numbers never fully recovered. Just 70 breeding females remain of the roughly 360 right whales alive in the North Atlantic, with ship strikes and fishing entanglements continuing to kill individual whales, according to NOAA. A right whale calf with head wounds consistent with a vessel strike caught the notice of social media earlier this month. NOAA experts predicted the young whale would not survive the injuries. NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit said in a Thursday statement that a changing climate is also pressuring the whale’s survival and underscored the importance of advancing clean energy like offshore wind. “Right whales are endangered and #climatechange is impacting every aspect of their survival — from changing ocean habitat, prey availability and affecting migratory patterns,” she said. “Working together on this strategy leverages the best available scientific information to inform #offshorewind management decisions.” The strategy released Thursday notes that noise and vessel strike risks associated with wind development are well known, while others impacts to the right whale from offshore wind still need exploring..." Continue reading