Adaptive Management in the Wind Energy Industry

Webinar #9 in WREN Environmental Webinar Series
November 16, 2016 @ 16:00 - 17:30 UTC

Summary

Adaptive Management in the Wind Energy Industry

Adaptive management (AM) is a systematic process intended to improve policies and practices by learning from the outcome of management decisions. AM practices are being considered around the world to balance decision-making regarding the development of the wind energy industry with significant scientific uncertainty concerning environmental effects. While many nations are considering the use of AM for wind energy, application in practice and in policy has been limited. A recent review of AM has clarified fundamental differences in the definition of AM, and its application to projects or planning processes. This webinar sets out to explore these experiences and suggest the possibility of a common definition and framework for AM that is capable of supporting the needs of wind energy development where there are potential conflicts with wildlife.  It will examine how AM has been applied to wind energy development around the world, with a focus on examples from the US and UK.

Dr. Andrea Copping joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Marine Sciences Laboratory in Sequim in 2006, as the Senior Program Manager for marine and coastal waters. Andrea is the research lead for marine and hydrokinetic energy development, and for offshore wind development, for Pacific Northwest National Laboratories, on behalf of the US Department of Energy. Dr. Copping’s projects focus on environmental impacts from the development of wave, tidal, offshore wind, ocean current and riverine energy installations, and the role that these effects could play in technology development and project initiation across the nation. Using risk-based approaches, the marine and hydrokinetic and offshore wind team lead by Dr. Copping integrates laboratory, field and modeling measurements into a coherent body of evidence to support siting and permitting decisions. Dr. Copping works across several scientific disciplines to determine implications of human stressors on marine resources and ecosystems processes, working with stakeholder groups and resource managers to ensure that the available scientific information is accessible and available.

Finlay Bennet is group leader of the marine renewables and environmental advice group within Marine Scotland Science.  His group provides scientific advice to Marine Scotland colleagues and Scottish Ministers regarding the environmental assessment of both plans and projects. This advice relates to both emerging new technologies in the wave and tidal sectors as well as full commercial scale offshore wind.  His special interest is working to reduce the scientific uncertainties associated with the environmental impacts of these activities, particularly on habitats and species afforded statutory protection under national and EU law.  Finlay has been working in this field since graduating from the University of Edinburgh in the early 1990s.

A video recording of the webinar has been posted below: