Offshore wind farms in coexistence with society and environment

The WIND4COCO project investigates how offshore wind farms affect fish and biodiversity, as well as their coexistence with fishing and conservation. The research focuses on the Lillgrund wind farm in Öresund, operational since 2007. The project aims to understand how fish communities and reef effects have changed over time, addressing an important knowledge gap. By replicating and complementing previous studies using modern methods, such as baited underwater cameras, a detailed picture of biodiversity around wind turbines is provided. Additionally, selective fishing gear, such as baited fish traps, will be tested to evaluate fishing methods adapted to wind farms. Results will be presented in workshops with stakeholders to discuss future wind farm design and standardised monitoring. This contributes to the sustainable development of offshore wind farms and understanding of their environmental impacts, crucial for Sweden’s planned offshore wind expansion.

Project Manager: Lena Bergström, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Funding: 5,000,000 SEK.

The WindSound project explores how future offshore wind power expansion could increase background noise in the sea, affecting both the marine environment and Sweden’s defence capabilities. Currently, no standardised framework exists for calculating and managing such acoustic impacts. Researchers from the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI) and KTH Royal Institute of Technology will conduct measurements and modelling of operational noise from waterborne wind turbines and seabed vibrations. These studies are crucial as some marine animals cannot always detect sound pressure. The project, supported by Vattenfall, aims to create a model to predict noise impacts from large wind farms. This will result in guidance for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) to calculate the acoustic footprint of wind farms. The findings will also help establish acceptable noise thresholds, benefiting the industry in improving EIA calculations and assisting authorities in reviewing them. Additionally, the work will support the Swedish Armed Forces in assessing how wind turbines affect national defence capabilities.

Project Manager: Mathias Andersson, Swedish Defence Research Agency

Funding: 4,995,500 SEK

The ECSOW project aims to assess risks and consequences of ship collisions with offshore wind turbines, especially in emergencies and with regard to environmental impact. This is crucial as there is little experience of such events in Swedish waters, where large-scale wind farms are now planned. The project goals include reviewing previous incidents, developing methods to evaluate collision risks, and assessing both primary and secondary effects. It will also map involved stakeholders and their responsibilities and propose emergency measures and preventive strategies. Researchers will use data from ships’ automatic identification systems (AIS) to assess collision probabilities and model potential consequences. The project outcomes will provide important information for managing risks, improving environmental protection, and guiding future research in this field..

Project Manager: Nicole Costa, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden

Funding: 4,961,341 SEK

This project seeks to enhance understanding of how offshore wind power installations impact tourism. Marine areas and coastal landscapes are vital for both domestic and international tourism in Sweden, and there is growing concern about how wind power expansion could affect these areas. The goal is to create a scientific basis for guiding wind turbine placement to minimise negative effects on the tourism economy. The project will develop an assessment tool to measure tourist experiences in marine areas and coastal landscapes affected by wind power. This includes both qualitative and quantitative data collection, as well as research involving various stakeholders. By collaborating with local and regional stakeholders and the tourism and wind power sectors, the reliability and practical relevance of the results will be improved. The project’s conclusions will provide authorities and interest groups with a scientific basis to promote coexistence between offshore wind power and sustainable tourism development, resulting in a comprehensive assessment tool for tourist experiences. This supports informed decision-making for offshore wind energy development.

Project Manager: Solene Prince, Linnaeus University

Funding: 3,514,932 SEK

This project focuses on improving regulations for wind power expansion to reduce conflicts with protected species, particularly bats. Bats migrate long distances, including across the Baltic Sea, and some areas have high concentrations of these animals. However, knowledge of their migration routes and behaviour in the Baltic Sea is limited. An important aspect of the project is to study bat migration paths and activity patterns, especially how they are influenced by factors such as temperature and wind speed. This could lead to tailored stop regulations for wind turbines, meaning they would shut down under certain conditions to prevent bat collisions. The project aims to establish clear thresholds for activating these stop regulations. By adapting stop regulations to specific locations and species, the project can help reduce negative impacts on bat populations while also streamlining wind power project approval processes.

Project Manager: Johnny de Jong, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Funding: 5,000,000 kronor

BaltVent is a three-year research project exploring the potential of oxygenating the Baltic Sea’s deep water using oxygen from hydrogen production linked to offshore wind power. The Baltic Sea faces issues such as eutrophication, oxygen-depleted seabeds, and harmful algal blooms. The project will examine whether oxygenation from two hydrogen production facilities near Bornholm and eastern Gotland could have local or broader impacts on the Baltic Sea. Research will focus on how oxygen levels change over time and their effects on ecosystems. An advanced regional ocean model will analyse the physical, chemical, and biological impacts of oxygenation in the Baltic Sea. The findings will contribute to a better understanding of how these changes affect ecosystems and ecosystem services. Researchers will also propose practical testing methods and additional environmental monitoring requirements for potential oxygenation implementation. BaltVent is a collaboration between researchers and the renewable energy industry to combine scientific relevance with the industry’s need for sustainable solutions. The project results will be published openly and communicated to authorities, stakeholders, and the public.

Project Manager: Lars Arneborg, Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute

Funding: 4,999,109 SEK

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency’s environmental research grant supports efforts to achieve Sweden’s environmental objectives.

Senior Research Officer: Patrik Lindenfors
+46-10-698 18 56
patrik.lindenfors@naturvardsverket.se

Senior Research Officer: Kerstin Jansbo
+46-10-698 14 56
kerstin.jansbo@naturvardsverket.se

Analyst: Bengt Fjällborg
+46-10-698 60 60
bengt.fjallborg@havochvatten.se

Utredare: Emma Sernland
+46-10-698 62 70
emma.sernland@havochvatten.se