ABPmer to Determine Best Practice for Coastal Process Modelling for Offshore Wind Farms
ABP Marine Environmental Research Limited (ABPmer) will provide the offshore wind energy sector with guidance on best practice when undertaking or reviewing coastal process studies using numerical modelling. The guidance aims to better inform and support regulators, consultees and developers when commissioning or reviewing numerical modelling as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and site development process.
The project, funded by COWRIE (Collaborative Offshore Wind Research Into The Environment), will undertake a review of related literature, current practice and incorporate lessons learned from offshore wind development Rounds 1 and 2. The work will be completed before the end of 2008 to complement the Round 3 windfarm development process in the UK.
Working with HR Wallingford, ABPmer will identify the various models currently available for predicting impacts from wind farms on coastal processes, discuss their limitations and to extent to which they can be overcome or reduced. Issues such as specific requirements for the quantity and quality of data used to populate models and the consequences of not meeting such requirements will also be considered.
Bill Cooper, Managing Director, ABPmer said “We are thrilled to be working with COWRIE to determine numerical coastal process modelling best practice as part of offshore wind development. We expect the study to be of important and practical use, primarily to the consenting and regulatory bodies, but also to consultancies undertaking coastal process EIA, wind farm developers and their EIA project managers. This work draws on our extensive expertise in coastal process studies and complements our ongoing research and existing guidelines on the use of data and modelling techniques in marine renewable development. Such work continues to move the industry towards our national goals for renewable energy.”
Enquiries:
Bill Cooper
Managing Director, ABPmer
Tel: 02380 711840
Tracey Hewett
Marketing Manager, ABPmer
Tel: 02380 711840
