OES-Environmental distributes metadata forms (questionnaires) to solicit information from researchers around the world who are exploring the environmental effects of marine renewable energy. This page provides a description and contact information related to the research. Content is updated on an annual basis.

European Scalable Offshore Renewable Energy Source (EU-SCORES)

Status

In Progress

Principle Investigator Contact Information

Name: Francisco Correia da Fonseca
Affiliation: WavEC Offshore Renewables
Phone: (+351) 21 848 26 55
Email: francisco.fonseca@wavec.org

Description

EU-SCORES is a highly ambitious EU-funded project aimed at demonstrating and unlocking the large-scale potential of multi-source, offshore renewable energy farms across different European sea basins. This will be achieved through two highly comprehensive and impactful demonstrations: (1) An offshore solar PV system in Belgium co-located with a bottom fixed windfarm and; (2) A wave energy array in Portugal co-located with a floating wind farm.

Funding Source

H2020 Green Deal

Funding Contact

Please contact the PI for more information.

Location of Research

Portugal and Belgium

Project Aims

The multi-source demonstrations in EU-SCORES will showcase the benefits of a continuous power output harnessing the complementarity between wind, sun and waves as it leads to a more resilient and stable power system, higher capacity factors and a lower total cost per MWh. These aspects will also improve the business case for the production of green hydrogen within these parks. The full-scale demonstrations will prove how the increased power output and capacity installed per km2 will reduce the amount of marine space needed, thereby leaving more space for aquaculture, fisheries, shipping routes and environmentally protected zones.

Study Progress

In Portugal, environmental monitoring included baseline characterisation and operational monitoring of underwater noise and marine mammal communities. During the operational phase marine mammal communities both in the project area and control areas. For this purpose, visual and acoustic surveys (F-PODs) are being performed. In what concerns marine growth/biofouling, surveys are being conducted following the operational and maintenance strategy of the project.

Key Findings

Marine mammals: acoustic and visual surveys data are being analysed. Biofouling: a preliminary assessment is being prepared.

Related Publications

None regarding environmental monitoring to date.