Wildlife and Offshore Wind (WOW): A Systems Approach to Research and Risk Assessment for Offshore Wind Development from Maine to North Carolina

PI: Douglas P. Nowacek, Duke University
Start Year: 2022 | Duration: 5 years
Partners: DOE, BOEM, Duke University, Cornell University, Florida State University, Rutgers University, Scientific Innovations, Southall Environmental Associates, SUNY Stony Brook, Syracuse University, Tetra Tech, University of St. Andrews, Wildlife Conservation Society, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, New England Aquarium

Project Abstract:

The “Wildlife and Offshore Wind (WOW): A Systems Approach to Research and Risk Assessment for Offshore Wind Development from Maine to North Carolina” will be led by PI Douglas P. Nowacek, PhD, of the Nicholas School of the Environment and the Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University. The project is a trans-disciplinary, highly integrated collaboration of diverse experts for the comprehensive evaluation of potential effects of offshore wind energy development on marine wildlife. Our goal is to provide a long-term, adaptive roadmap for efficient and effective assessment of potential effects, from siting through operation. We will create and refine a suite of frameworks for risk assessment; we will use these to identify data gaps, prioritize research, and design integrated research programs, capitalizing on lessons from the European development of offshore wind and learning from previous, ongoing and upcoming activities off the U.S. east coast. The frameworks will allow for integration of new technologies and innovation into assessments of effects and for active evaluation at multiple temporal and spatial scales, including cumulative impacts. Intended outcomes are to increase efficiency of risk and impact assessments, enhance communication and collaboration across broad stakeholder groups, facilitate innovation,and directly inform the responsible and timely development of offshore wind energy. The two project WOW objectives are: 1. Gap analysis and risk assessment and research framework development; and 2. Targeted data collection and technology validation. The project team has identified two case studies that are expected to see construction of offshore wind farms in the next five years. Study methods currently include a combination of surveys (visual, acoustic), tagging, and remote sensing, as well as the development and application of new technologies to further improve our ability to monitor wildlife and marine ecosystems; methods will be refined, if necessary, during the first project year based on the development of the research frameworks. Project deliverables include creation of tools to evaluate baselines, recommendation of consistent methodologies, harmonization of data and metrics necessary for monitoring, robust design agenda for targeted research, species distribution models and behavioral assessments for marine mammals, sea turtles, birds, and bats, and the development and maintenance of an open source blueprint for risk assessment frameworks that can be applied to future decision making. The WOW team represents a multi-institution consortium that will bring together internationally recognized PIs in the areas of statistical and ecological modeling (University of St. Andrews), geospatial data analysis and modeling (Duke University), marine megafauna research (Duke, Syracuse, TetraTech, Florida State, Wildlife Conservation Society [WCS], New England Aquarium), avian and bat ecology (Biodiversity Research Institute, TetraTech, SUNY Stonybrook),bioacoustics (Cornell University, Duke, Southall Environmental Associates, Syracuse University, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution [WHOI], Pacific Northwest National Lab [PNNL]), behavioral ecology (Duke, SUNY, Syracuse, WCS), biological oceanography (Rutgers), and technology development (PNNL, WHOI, Scientific Innovations). Our project team will also focus on a stakeholder engagement process organized with relevant regional entities such as the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC), Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO), Environmental-Technical Working Group (E-TWG), NYSERDA State of the Science Workgroups, and the RWSE. Critically, our consortium has extensive experience in research, monitoring and risk assessment associated with offshore energy development, including deep relationships with wind energy developers and extensive experience collaborating with stakeholders, as well as state and federal agencies. Our work will facilitate environmental impact assessment in the region and, potentially, renewable energy development in US waters more broadly.