Innovations to Support Biodiversity in Offshore Wind: White Paper Announcement
Written by Ryan Green
The ocean covers over 70% of the planet, with 64% of US waters considered “suitable” for offshore wind development.
SeaAhead, in partnership with offshore wind experts Ørsted and The Venterra Group, is thrilled to announce the publication of our latest white paper Winds, Wings, Fins, and Shells: Innovations to Support Biodiversity in Offshore Wind.
THE STORY SO FAR: As offshore wind as a sector continues to grow in the US, incorporating innovations that harmonize the industry with the natural world becomes imperative. However, because of the nature of this space as nascent and heavily regulated, investment into new technologies, especially biodiversity related innovations, brings many complexities.
“Investment in these types of technologies can be a unique way to solve difficult, hard to reach problems that an offshore wind farm faces with regards to keeping the biodiversity of the space not only protected from harm, but in some cases enhanced beyond what it was at the outset of a project” - SeaAhead
This piece investigates the burgeoning space of novel technology in the offshore wind industry aiming to protect or restore biodiversity. From AI bird and bat monitoring, to bubble curtains that protect marine mammals and turtles from acoustic disturbances, to autonomous underwater vehicles, the innovations at the front lines of these issues are not only exciting, but necessary. The paper will serve as a roadmap for venture investors as they engage with startups and technologies that impact biodiversity in offshore wind.
“As developers in this space, biodiversity remains a top concern as we place these wind farms in their offshore lease sites. Constant data and monitoring is required to ensure the mitigation of harm to all species.” - Ørsted
Drawing on an analysis from a database of startups working at the nexus of biodiversity harm mitigation and offshore renewable energy allowed for unique insights into this growing realm. Speaking to experts in offshore wind, marine science, angel investment, and academic research further expanded this white paper's reach.
This paper delves into the existing frameworks and future possibilities at play in the adoption of innovations in the offshore wind lifetime. When sensitive species such as right whales or seagrass beds are concerned, developers and regulators can look to startups to fill gaps in their biodiversity monitoring or protecting needs.
“Offshore Wind can come with many hurdles, such as complications with permitting, fisheries, the supply chain, vessel traffic and use, the list goes on. Innovations can be inserted at various stages of this process to make energy production more efficient while, in some cases, having a net positive impact on nature.” - Venterra
While the potential and impacts of offshore wind energy continue to grow, hurdles remain. To meet the challenge, startups have emerged, bringing technologies to market that have the opportunity to protect species from the potential negative impacts of development and restore ecosystems, while enabling stakeholders to better monitor and manage impacts.
Download the white paper, “INNOVATIONS TO SUPPORT BIODIVERSITY IN OFFSHORE WIND” here.
About SeaAhead
SeaAhead is a benefit corporation founded in Boston with the mission of supporting venture innovation for the ocean. We are creating a bluetech startup platform, helping to build companies through our BlueSwell incubator, facilitating investments through the Blue Angels, and catalyzing a bluetech cluster in the Northeast. Our ecosystem includes technologists, scientists, startups, foundations, corporations, governments, and other ocean stakeholders who are coming together to create positive ocean impact and scaling solutions with ocean-centric approaches to the challenges of climate change.
About Ørsted
A global clean energy leader, Ørsted develops, constructs, and operates offshore and land-based wind farms, solar farms, energy storage facilities, power-to-x facilities, and bioenergy plants. Ørsted is the only energy company in the world with a science-based net-zero emissions target as validated by the Science Based Targets initiative and is recognized as the world’s most sustainable energy company in the Corporate Knights Global 100 index.
About Venterra
Venterra is a strategic partner to wind energy developers and provides services across the full lifecycle of offshore wind assets. They provide project management and engineering across the full offshore wind farm lifecycle from concept design to decommissioning, support clients throughout the build phase with specialist services, and ensure efficient operation and performance of wind farm assets over their lifetime, providing clients with project management, operational support, inspection, maintenance and repair.