So far, very few studies have focused on the quantification of the environmental impacts of a wave energy converter. The current study presents a preliminary Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the MegaRoller wave energy converter, aiming to contribute to decision making regarding the least carbon- and energy-intensive design choices. The LCA encompasses all life cycle stages from "cradle-to-grave" for the wave energy converter, including the panel, foundation, PTO and mooring system, considering its deployment in Peniche, Portugal. Background data was mainly sourced from the manufacturer whereas foreground data was sourced from the Ecoinvent database (v.3.4). The resulting impact assessment of the MegaRoller is aligned with all previous studies in concluding that the main environmental impacts are due to materials use and manufacture, and mainly due to high amounts of material used, particularly steel. The scenario analysis showed that a reduction of the environmental impacts in the final design of the MegaRoller wave energy converter could potentially lie in reducing the quantity of steel by studying alternatives for its replacement. Results are generally comparable with earlier studies for ocean technologies and are very low when compared with other power generating technologies.

Biofouling is a major problem shared among all maritime sectors employing submerged structures where it leads to substantially increased costs and lowered operational lifespans if poorly addressed. Insight into the ongoing processes at the relevant marine locations is key to effective management of biofouling. Of specific concern for the marine renewable energy (MRE) sector is the fact that information on biofouling composition and magnitude across geographies is dispersed throughout published papers and consulting reports. To enable rapid access to relevant key biofouling events the present work describes a European biofouling database to support the MRE sector and other maritime industries. The database compiles in one document qualitative and quantitative data for challenging biofouling groups, including non-native species associated with MRE and related marine equipment, in different European Ecoregions. It provides information on the occurrence of fouling species and data on key biofouling parameters, such as biofouling thickness and weight. The database aims to aid the MRE sector and offshore industries in understanding which biofouling communities their devices are more susceptible to at a given site, to facilitate informed decisions. In addition, the biofouling mapping is useful for the development of biosecurity risk management plans as well as academic research.

Ocean energy technologies are still at an early stage of development; only a handful of concepts are being invented and tested worldwide. The environmental impact of these devices is not always taken into account, mainly because of the prevailing uncertainty regarding its assessment. It is vital that attention is paid to the mitigation of potential negative impacts on physical and biotic marine systems. In this study, the direct and indirect effects of ocean energy projects on biophysical systems, and their interactions, are identified from an analysis of current literature on the subject. A tool that could be applied to any ocean energy project at any stage of an EIA is then proposed from a framework designed to evaluate the widely varying impacts of devices. This framework uses a categorisation of the environmental impacts of MRE devices (biophysical, chemical and socioeconomic), based on the technology used and the device location. It is hoped that this tool will facilitate the identification of the potential environmental impacts of MRE devices and thus serve as a guide to quantitatively assess these impacts.

Chapter 9 Environmental Effects Gregorio Iglesias, Gregorio Iglesias Professor of Coastal Engineering School of Engineering, University of Plymouth, UKSearch for more papers by this authorJavier Abanades Tercero, Javier Abanades Tercero Offshore Renewable Energy Consultant Associate Researcher TYPSA, Spain School of Engineering, University of Plymouth, UKSearch for more papers by this authorTeresa Simas, Teresa Simas Senior Researcher WavEC – Offshore Renewables, Lisboa, PortugalSearch for more papers by this authorInês Machado, Inês Machado Senior Researcher WavEC – Offshore Renewables, Lisboa, PortugalSearch for more papers by this authorErica Cruz, Erica Cruz Senior Researcher WavEC – Offshore Renewables, Lisboa, PortugalSearch for more papers by this author Gregorio Iglesias, Gregorio Iglesias Professor of Coastal Engineering School of Engineering, University of Plymouth, UKSearch for more papers by this authorJavier Abanades Tercero, Javier Abanades Tercero Offshore Renewable Energy Consultant Associate Researcher TYPSA, Spain School of Engineering, University of Plymouth, UKSearch for more papers by this authorTeresa Simas, Teresa Simas Senior Researcher WavEC – Offshore Renewables, Lisboa, PortugalSearch for more papers by this authorInês Machado, Inês Machado Senior Researcher WavEC – Offshore Renewables, Lisboa, PortugalSearch for more papers by this authorErica Cruz, Erica Cruz Senior Researcher WavEC – Offshore Renewables, Lisboa, PortugalSearch for more papers by this author Book Editor(s):Deborah Greaves, Deborah Greaves Professor of Ocean Engineering School of Engineering, University of Plymouth, UKSearch for more papers by this authorGregorio Iglesias, Gregorio Iglesias Professor of Coastal Engineering School of Engineering, University of Plymouth, UKSearch for more papers by this author First published: 23 March 2018 https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119014492.ch9Citations: 2 AboutPDFPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShareShare a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Summary Wave and tidal energy devices extract energy from the environment. This extraction is bound to have effects at different levels, from the physical to the biological, which are the subject of this chapter. This chapter deals with the physical effects of marine renewable energy (MRE) on the environment: the effects of wave farms on the wave field and coastal processes, and those of tidal stream farms on the hydrodynamics and sediment transport processes. It considers the impacts of MRE on the marine biota, focusing on the environmental impact assessment that must form part of any MRE project. The chapter summarises the work carried out to date on hydrodynamics and sediment transport. It also deals with the effects on the marine biota, combined with those of wave farms. As far as concerns MRE projects, an evaluation of the sensitivity of the site with regard to both environmental and socioeconomic issues, should be carried out during the initial stage of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) process. Citing Literature Wave and Tidal Energy RelatedInformation

Extensive marine growth on man-made structures in the ocean is commonplace, yet there has been limited discussion about the potential implications of marine growth for the wave and tidal energy industry. In response, the Environmental Interactions of Marine Renewables (EIMR) Biofouling Expert Workshop was convened. Discussions involved participants from the marine renewable energy (MRE) industry, anti-fouling industry, academic institutions and regulatory bodies. The workshop aimed to consider both the benefits and negative effects of biofouling from engineering and ecological perspectives. In order to form an agenda for future research in the area of biofouling and the marine renewable energy industry, 119 topics were generated, categorised and prioritised. Identified areas for future focus fell within four overarching categories: operation and maintenance; structured design and engineering; ecology; and knowledge exchange. It is clear that understanding and minimising biofouling impacts on MRE infrastructure will be vital to the successful development of a reliable and cost effective MRE industry. Crown Copyright (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

This report provides advice for whether or not (and to what extent in terms of data volume) pre-consent surveys are required during the creation of offshore renewable energy projects. This comes as part of the RiCORE project, which aimed to promote the use of offshore renewable energy projects in the EU by streamlining consenting processes.

The wave energy industry is an emerging sector and a new user of maritime space that has potential to contribute significantly to the EU renewable energy goals. International and national regulatory frameworks necessitate Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) that provide important data to inform development consent decisions. Here we have evaluated experience related to the assessment programmes at EU wave energy test centres combined with knowledge gained from EIA produced for other similar renewable energy developments. From this we have identified key receptors of concern, as well as the type and magnitude of impacts which may be expected. The key environmental receptors of concern for wave energy EIA include the physical environment (e.g. morphology, waves and current) and flora and fauna(1) as represented by marine mammals, seabirds, benthos, fish and shellfish.From a review of the EIAs performed at wave energy test centres, we identified several lessons regarding the wave energy EIA process. There is clear evidence that the receptors of primary interest are dependent on factors such as the local environmental characteristics, the presence/absence of protected species and the regulatory authority under which the EIA is performed. Furthermore, it is recommended that concerns relating to cumulative impacts, from an expanding level of wave energy development taking place in a background of growing utilisation of the marine environment, which are largely unknown at this early stage of the industry may be comprehensively addressed at the national level as part of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (EIA) and/or in Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) and that it should be regularly reassessed. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

This report identifies commonalities and transferability of pre-consent surveying among renewable energy technology types. This comes as part of the RiCORE project, which aimed to promote the use of offshore renewable energy projects in the EU by streamlining consenting processes.

This report reviews the outcomes of the first workshop organised as part of the RiCORE project, which took place in Bilbao on 21st April 2015. This workshop focused on analysing pre- and post-consent environmental requirements during the process of creating offshore renewable energy projects within the EU, and also generated discussion on suitable monitoring needs to observe environmental risk.

This report compiles and inventory of technology types (within the tidal, wave and offshore wind categories) that the RiCORE project considers when providing recommendations and guidelines in favour of implementing a risk-based consenting approach for offshore renewable energy projects.

This report reviews the state of the art of the Survey, Deploy and Monitor Licensing Policy Guidance in order to set the basis for its further development to all relevant technologies in the offshore renewable energy sector, including the adaptation of the policy as new technologies emerge. This comes as part of the RiCORE project, which aimed to promote the use of offshore renewable energy projects in the EU by streamlining consenting processes.

Consenting is still generally regarded as a non-technological barrier to the progress of the marine renewable energy industry, caused by the complexity of consenting processes and the lack of dedicated legal frameworks. Existing consenting systems for ocean energy projects tend to be based on procedures designed for other sectors and are seen as inappropriate for the specific needs of ocean energy. Licensing procedures are also viewed by developers as time-consuming because regulators see ocean energy as a new activity with unknown or uncertain effects and consequently often apply strong interpretation of the precautionary principle. Consenting processes for ocean energy are, nevertheless, evolving throughout Europe, driven by national and European policies and incentives on renewables, changing legal and administrative frameworks to facilitate development and more integrated marine governance. This review compares the consenting processes for ocean energy in different European countries, focusing on aspects thought to hamper operation of the process. It shows that different systems of governance across the EU Member States have resulted in diversity in the design of consenting processes, though common features can also be identified. This evidence-based review enables suggestions for streamlining consenting processes for wave energy. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

How experiences of the Offshore Wind Industry can aid development of the Wave Energy sector: lessons learnt from EIA studies

Understanding the role of stakeholders in the wave energy consenting process: engagement and sensitivities

Development of a Data Management Platform for the integration of European Wave Energy Impact Assessment datasets