EMF

Physical fields generated by electrically charged objects.

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are physical fields that consists of both electric and magnetic components and are generated by electrically charged objects. In the case of wind energy and marine renewable energy devices, EMF may be generated around dynamic devices, substations, and most commonly, transmission cables. The distance over which EMF persist is typically dependent on the strength of the electrical charge, characteristics of the surrounding environment, and characteristics of the cable or device. For example, electric fields can typically be contained by burial of or shielding within a subsea transmission cable; however, magnetic fields are not as easily contained.

Marine organisms at high risk of EMF impacts are typically electro- and/or magneto-sensitive organisms such as elasmobranchs (i.e. sharks, skates, rays), some fish species (e.g. eels, sturgeon), sea turtles, and benthic invertebrates. Some of these organisms use Earth’s naturally occurring geomagnetic fields for navigation, orientation and predation. Thus, the addition of anthropogenic EMF may alter organisms’ movement, migration, and foraging behavior. High intensity EMF may additionally affect organisms’ developmental physiology. Current levels of EMF emitted from offshore wind and marine renewable energy devices have not yet reached high intensities, however, as the offshore energy industry expands, greater levels of EMF may result in additional effects on the marine environment.

For more information relevant to marine energy, check out the EMF Short Science Summary produced by OES-Environmental.

For more information relevant to offshore wind energy, check out the Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Effects on Marine Life research brief produced by SEER.

Photo Credit: ABB

Affiliated Marine and Wind Energy Environmental Documents

Total results: 334
Title Author Date Content Type Technology Stressor Receptor
Quantifying Background Magnetic Fields at Marine Energy Sites: Challenges and Recommendations Grear, M., McVey, J., Cotter, E. Journal Article Marine Energy EMF
Can artificial magnetic fields alter the functional role of the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis? Albert, L., Maire, O., Olivier, F. Journal Article Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind EMF Invertebrates
Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) in the Tropics: An Overview of MRE Potential in Oaxaca, Mexico Oman, J. Report Marine Energy, Ocean Current, OTEC, Wave Changes in Flow, Collision, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Seabirds, Fish, Pelagic Fish, Marine Mammals, Cetaceans, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Legal & Policy, Recreation & Tourism, Social & Economic Data
The Effects of Anthropogenic Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) on the Early Development of Two Commercially Important Crustaceans, European Lobster, Homarus gammarus (L.) and Edible Crab, Cancer pagurus (L.) Harsanyi, P., Scott, K., Easton, B. Journal Article EMF Invertebrates
Effects of operational off-shore wind farms on fishes and fisheries Svendsen, J., Ibanez-Erquiaga, B., Savina, E. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind EMF, Noise Fish, Human Dimensions, Fisheries
Magnetic fields generated by the DC cables of offshore wind farms have no effect on spatial distribution or swimming behavior of lesser sandeel larvae (Ammodytes marinus) Cresci, A., Perrichon, P., Durif, C. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind EMF Fish, Pelagic Fish
Supplemental Data Regarding the Behavioral Response of Rock Crabs to the EMF of Subsea Cables and Potential Impact to Fisheries Williams, J., Jaco, E., Scholz, Z. Report Marine Energy, Wind Energy EMF Invertebrates
Marine Renewable Energy: An Introduction to Environmental Effects OES-Environmental Summary Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave Changes in Flow, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Physical Environment, Human Dimensions
Project Summary of Outcomes and Results of Wave Energy in Southern Europe (WESE) Project Bald, J., Uyarra, M., Menchaca, I. Report Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Physical Environment, Human Dimensions, Marine Spatial Planning
How can the impacts of an operating wind farm on marine mammals be assessed? Couturier, L., Curé, C., Labach, H. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Collision, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Marine Mammals
Insights into the behavioural responses of juvenile thornback ray Raja clavata to alternating and direct current magnetic fields Albert, L., Olivier, F., Jolivet, A. Journal Article Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind EMF Fish, Demersal Fish
ORJIP Ocean Energy Information Note: Electromagnetic Field Emissions Offshore Renewables Joint Industry Programme (ORJIP) Report Marine Energy EMF Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Reptiles, Sea Turtles
Wave-Energy Devices Might Affect the Natural Environment: Scientists plan research to better understand effects Oregon State University, Pacific Marine Energy Center (PMEC), Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC) Magazine Article Marine Energy, Wave EMF, Entanglement, Noise Birds, Seabirds, Fish, Marine Mammals
Triton Field Trials: Promoting Consistent Environmental Monitoring Methodologies for Marine Energy Sites Eaves, S., Staines, G., Harker-Klimes, G. Journal Article Marine Energy Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Human Dimensions
Better utilisation and transparency of bird data collected by powerline companies Kettel, E., Thaxter, C., Oppel, S. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, EMF, Habitat Change Birds, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment
A Review of Modeling Approaches for Understanding and Monitoring the Environmental Effects of Marine Renewable Energy Buenau, K., Garavelli, L., Hemery, L. Journal Article Marine Energy, Ocean Current, Tidal, Wave Changes in Flow, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise
SafeWave DELIVERABLE 2.7 Guidelines on EMF, noise, and seabed integrity monitoring planning for wave energy devices Bald, J., Vinagre, P., Chainho, P. Report Marine Energy, Wave EMF, Habitat Change, Noise
Biological Consequences of Marine Energy Development on Marine Animals Hemery, L., Copping, A., Overhus, D. Journal Article Marine Energy, Tidal Changes in Flow, Collision, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Seabirds, Pelagic Fish, Invertebrates, Cetaceans, Pinnipeds
Electromagnetic Field Impacts on American Eel Movement and Migration from Direct Current Cables Hutchison, Z., Sigray, P., Gill, A. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind EMF Fish
Wozep midterm evaluation 2021 Odinga, J., Barbé, D., van Mastrigt, A. Report Land-Based Wind, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Bats, Birds, Ecosystem Processes, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Legal & Policy
FLOATGEN floating wind turbine environmental monitoring report, SEM-REV test site Reynaud, M., Le Bouhris, E., Soulard, T. Report Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind EMF, Noise Birds, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions
Environmental Information for Siting and Operation of Floating Tidal Turbines in U.S. Waters Copping, A., Garavelli, L., Overhus, D. Report Marine Energy, Tidal Collision, Displacement, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Seabirds, Fish, Marine Mammals
Environmental Impacts of Tidal and Wave Energy Converters Hutchison, Z., Lieber, L., Miller, R. Journal Article Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave Changes in Flow, Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Physical Environment
Are fish in danger? A review of environmental effects of marine renewable energy on fishes Copping, A., Hemery, L., Viehman, H. Journal Article Marine Energy, Riverine, Tidal, Wave Avoidance, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Fish
A Review of Biodiversity Data Needs and Monitoring Protocols for the Offshore Wind Energy Sector in the Baltic Sea and North Sea Stephenson, P. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Bats, Birds, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Physical Environment, Sediment Transport, Water Quality
Moving from scientific research to consenting guidance for MRE environmental risk Copping, A., Rose, D., Freeman, M. Conference Paper Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave Changes in Flow, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Legal & Policy, Social & Economic Data, Stakeholder Engagement
European Scalable Offshore Renewable Energy Source (EU-SCORES) Francisco Correia da Fonseca Research Study Marine Energy, Wave, Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Changes in Flow, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Demersal Fish, Pelagic Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Cetaceans, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Fisheries, Legal & Policy, Marine Spatial Planning
Marine Evidence packages ABP Marine Environmental Research Ltd (ABPmer) Website Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave Changes in Flow, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Lighting, Noise Birds, Fish, Marine Mammals, Physical Environment
Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) from Submarine Power Cables Can Trigger Strength-Dependent Behavioural and Physiological Responses in Edible Crab, Cancer pagurus (L.) Scott, K., Harsanyi, P., Easton, B. Journal Article Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind EMF Invertebrates
Sea Turtle Workgroup Report for the State of the Science Workshop on Wildlife and Offshore Wind Energy 2020: Cumulative Impacts Gitschlag, G., Perry, R., Williams, K. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Reptiles
Draft Preliminary Environmental Assessment: Vandenberg Offshore Wind Energy Projects California State Lands Commission Report Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Changes in Flow, Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Bats, Birds, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Physical Environment, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Fisheries, Visual Impacts
Map-like use of Earth’s magnetic field in sharks Keller, B., Putnam, N., Grubbs, R. Journal Article EMF Fish, Demersal Fish, Pelagic Fish
WESE Deliverable 2.2 Monitoring of Electromagnetic fields Chainho, P., Bald, J. Report Marine Energy, Wave EMF
Environmental impacts of offshore wind installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning activities: A case study of Brazil Hernández Carrascal, O., Shadman, M., Amiri, M. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Fish, Marine Mammals, Physical Environment, Human Dimensions, Fisheries
SafeWave DELIVERABLE 2.1 Development of environmental monitoring plans Vinagre, P., Chainho, P., Cruz E. Report Marine Energy EMF, Noise Fish
Stressor-Specific Guidance Document: Electromagnetic Fields OES-Environmental Report Marine Energy EMF
Potential environmental effects of deepwater floating offshore wind energy facilities Farr, H., Ruttenberg, B., Walter, R. Journal Article Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Changes in Flow, Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise, Vessel Strike Bats, Birds, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Physical Environment
WESE Deliverable 3.1 EMF Modelling Chainho, P., Bald, J. Report Marine Energy, Wave EMF
A call to assess the impacts of electromagnetic fields from subsea cables on the movement ecology of marine migrants Klimley, A., Putnam, N., Keller, B. Journal Article Marine Energy, Wind Energy EMF Fish, Invertebrates
Characterisation of the Potential Impacts of Subsea Power Cables Associated with Offshore Renewable Energy Projects Taormina, B., Quillienn, N., Lejart, M. Report Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind EMF, Habitat Change Physical Environment, Fish, Invertebrates
Displaying 81 - 120 of 334 results