Technische Universität Berlin IAIA Special …...Development of Offshore Wind Energy Suggestions for Good Practice in Planning, Mitigation, Environmental Assessment, and Compensation

School VI Planning Building Environment Environmental Assessment and Policy Research Group Dipl.-Ing. Ass. Jens Lüdeke

Technische Universität Berlin IAIA Special Symposium: Water and Impact Assessment

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Strategies for the Environmentally Sound Development of Offshore Wind Energy

Suggestions for Good Practice in Planning, Mitigation, Environmental Assessment, and Compensation in Germany and abroad

Dipl.-Ing. Assessor Jens Lüdeke PhD Student

Environmental Assessment and Planning Research Group Technical University of Berlin

Vorführender

Präsentationsnotizen

My todays presentation is on Strategies for the Environmentally Sound Development of Offshore Wind Energy and Suggestions for Good Practice in Planning, Mitigation, Environmental Assessment, and Compensation in Germany and abroad



CV Jens Lüdeke

• Engineer of Landscape Planning

• Legal clerkship in Ministry of Environment of NRW

• Working stations e.g. Federal Agency of Nature Conservation (BfN), Federal Ministry of Environment (BMU), Federal Railway Agency

• Today: Environmental Planer for City of Offenburg • PhD Thesis „Strategies for an Environmentally Sound Development

for the Offshore Wind Energy“ (TU Berlin)

Vorführender


First I shortly want to introduce myself: I am a Landscape Planner and studied at the technical University of Berlin and the UPC in Barcelona I made a legal clerkship in Ministry of Environment of NRW, which I finished with the 2nd state examination I already have worked in different fields, e.g. for the Federal Agency of Nature Conservation (BfN), the Federal Ministry of Environment (BMU) or the Federal Railway Agency Today I am the environmental Planer for the City of Offenburg Next, I have been working for the last 6 years on my PhD Thesis on „Strategies for an Environmentally Sound Development for the Offshore Wind Energy“ at the Environmental Assessment and Planning Research Group of Prof. Köppel at the TU Berlin. I hope to finish the PhD this year.



1. Introduction

2. Good Practice for an Environmentally Sound Development of Offshore Wind Farms (OWF)

3. Evaluation of Good Practice for an Environmentally Sound Development of OWF

4. Summary

Vorführender


My todays presentation is divided into 4 parts: First I want to make a short Introduction on Offshore Wind Energy and its Environmental Impacts Second I want to show possibilities for a Good Practice for an Environmentally Sound Development of Offshore Wind Farms In the third part I want to describe the Method for the Evaluation of Good Practice for an Environmentally Sound Development of OWF and its Results which I made as a part of my PhD And last but not least I would like to present a short Summary



1. Introduction: Offshore wind in Germany

• Offshore Wind (2016): up to 4000 MW • Offshore Wind (2020): at least 6.500 MW • Offshore Wind (2030): at least 15.000 MW • Goal for wind energy : 50% of Germany‘s electricity demand by 2050

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So what about the current state of offshore wind in Germany? the Capacity of Offshore Wind in 2016 will be more than 4000 MW (13 OWF are already built, and about 6 are under construction) the goal for 2020 is a Capacity of offshore wind of at least 6.500 MW and in 2030 the Capacity of offshore wind shall be at least 15.000 MW, enough electricity for the demand of more than 10 million households The overal goal for wind energy (onshore and offshore) in Germany is even higher: in 2050 50% of the electricity demand should come from wind energy! (“Energiewende”) just have a short look on the map: the green turbines represent OWF already producing electricity and the orange and red ones are or will soon be under construction.



1. Introduction: Offshore Wind Energy and its Environmental Impacts

• Knowledge on environmental impacts of OWF was limited

• Offshore test plant (Alpha Ventus/German North Sea)

• Major financial support for ecological accompanying

research and technical innovation

• Knowledge has increased considerably

• Research in Germany and international research came to nearly similar results according to the environmental impacts of OWFs

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Vorführender


And what about the environmental impacts of OWF? Knowledge on environmental impacts was limited at the beginning of offshore wind generation in Germany (2002) Germany started an offshore test plant (Alpha Ventus) Ecological accompanying research and technical innovation for the mitigation of noise emissions was supported with more than 50 Mio. Euros by German Government Knowledge of environmental impacts now has increased considerably Research of the StUK-plus project and the results of the international research came to nearly similar results according to the environmental impacts of OWFs (Lüdeke, 2015, Schuster et al., 2015). Pictures: above Book on results of ecological research at Alpha Ventus. Picture below: Conference on Wind Energy and Wildlife Impacts (TU Berlin): international results nearly similar to German findings.


Technische Universität Berlin IAIA Special Symposium: Water and Impact Assessment 1. Offshore Wind Energy and its Environmental Impacts: Benthos

• Impacts of OWFs on benthos can be assessed as positive

• But: species composition changed because of the new habitats.

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Vorführender


So let’s have a look on the benthos, the animals and plants living at the bottom of the ocean: Impacts of OWFs on benthos can be assessed as positive as several surveys have demonstrated an increase of benthos after OWF construction (Ashley et al., 2014; Coates et al,. 2014; Dannheim et al., 2014; Vaissiere et al., 2014; Bergman et al., 2015; Schuster et al., 2015; Hammar et al., 2016). On the other hand, the species composition changed because of the new habitats. Mesel et al. (2015) noted that the community of endobenthos was soon dominated by few species and even non-indigenous, invasive species were found. Pictures: left accumulation of benthos at the turbine, right: increas of mussels at foundation structure



1. Offshore Wind Energy and its Environmental Impacts: Fish

• After construction, the abundance of fish species in OWF was higher • But: also harmful effects on fish while construction • Turbines serve as artificial reefs and effect of the ban on fishing positive

for the biodiversity

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The research on fish also brought positive results: After construction, the abundance of fish species was higher at the wind turbine foundations than in areas outside the wind parks (De Troch et al., 2013; Reubens et al., 2013; Ashley et al., 2014; Bergman et al., 2015). Whereas also harmful effects on fish have been documented while construction, which involve not only pile driving, but also e.g. ship traffic, which led to a decrease of up to 50% in the abundance of pelagic fish compared to surrounding areas (Reichert et al., 2012). The turbines serve as artificial reefs (Schuster et al., 2015) and he effect of the ban on fishing also seems to be very positive for the biodiversity of fish and benthos after several years. Picture left: increase of mackarels, picture right: increase of herrings and sprats



1. Offshore Wind Energy and its Environmental Impacts: Seabirds

• Seabirds e affected by collisions with turbines, barrier effects, habitat loss but also by attraction

• Seabird distribution of resting birds changes substantially • Some bird species avoid OWFs, whereas others ignore them or are

attracted to them

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Vorführender


The situation of the seabirds is little bit more complicated: Seabirds can be affected by OWFs by collisions with turbines, barrier effects, habitat loss but also by attraction (Dierschke and Garthe 2006). It was shown that seabird distribution of resting birds changes substantially as a result of OWFs. But the different bird species do not all react in the same way. Some bird species avoid OWFs, whereas others ignore them or are attracted to them (Furness et al., 2013; Bradbury et al., 2014; Mendel et al., 2014; Hammar et al., 2016) Pictures: Distribution of seabirds inside OWF: first gulls (no reaction), second: divers (complete avoidance), third: Common murre (partly avoidant)



1. Offshore Wind Energy and its Environmental Impacts: Migrating Birds

• Displacement effects and anticipatory evasion behaviour from OWF; • Birds avoid the zone of the rotor blades (especially in daytime) • Significant effects on migratory birds could not yet be proven • Higher collision risk in night time and in bad weather • But: fatality studies were difficult

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The migratory birds also can suffer from OWF: The migratory birds especially in day time show displacement (macro-avoidance) and anticipatory and impulsive evasion behaviour (meso-avoidance) from OWF and avoid the zone of the rotor blades (escape or micro avoidance) (May 2015). Studies have shown a higher collision risk especially in night time and in bad weather conditions Significant effects on migratory birds could not yet be proven, and fatality studies, especially in night time and bad weather situations when the risk of collision is especially high, are difficult to accomplish due to lack of technology. Recent research proved a species-specific avoidance behavior with regards to OWFs, especially in the daytime (Plonczkier and Simms, 2012; Cook et al., 2012; Coppack et al., 2013; Furness et al., 2013; Hill et al., 2014). Pictures: left video and photo camaras for seabird registration, right: birds flying near to the rotor recorded by visual automated recording system



1. Offshore Wind Energy and its Environmental Impacts: Harbor porpoises

• Harbour porpoises impacted during the ramming period • Permanent destruction of their hearing is possible in the direct

vicinity of the ramming • But: displacement effect is only temporary; no long-term impacts • In operating OWFs, no increas in abundance of harbor porpoises

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The most viewed subject of protection in German OWF is the harbor porpois, Gemany’s unique whales: Research shows harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) are impacted during the ramming period of turbines into the seabed, e.g., because of a destruction of their hearing (permanent thresholds shifts) which can take place as a result of excessive underwater noise in the direct vicinity of the ramming. Next, the noise of pile driving has a strong, but temporary displacement effect on harbor porpoises. No long-term impacts on the numbers of porpoises around OWFs have been found after a certain time after the ramming (Nehls and Betke 2011; Scheidat et al. 2011; Brandt et al. 2012 and 2013; Haelters et al. 2012; Wahl et al. 2013). In operating OWFs, the abundance of harbor porpoises were shown to be similar to or higher than prior to construction of the OWF (Scheidat et al., 2011; Scheidat et al., 2012; Dähne et al., 2014, Schuster et al., 2015). The picture shows the abundance of harbor porpoises inside Alpha Ventus after construction



2. Good Practice for an Environmentally Sound Development of OWF: Marine Mitigation Hierarchy

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Vorführender


But what can we do to handle the environmental impacts of OWF? Lets have a look on the possible strategies for an enveronmentally sound development of offshore wind energy: according to the mitigation hierarchy avoidance measures first have to be applied, above all the marine spatial planning next possible mitigation measure must be used, especially technical mitigation measures against underwater noise (bubble curtains) If avoidance and mitigation measures are not sufficient enought, compensation measure are indicated If even compensation measures are inappopriate to keep the ecologica equilibrity (shown by thresholds), prohibition of OWF or exceptions (especially of the legal species protection) have to be proved.



2. Good Practice: Suggested Reform Initiatives

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1. Avoidance: Spatial Planning Exclusion of OWF in areas of special sensitivity and outside of priority areas 2. Mitigation: Technical mitigation measures Shut down of OWF lights Technical measures against underwater noise 3. Application Process: Environmental Impact Assessment Focus on relevant negative impacts Standardization Legal thresholds 4. Compensation measures Real marine compensation measures Other forms of compensation

Vorführender


No I want to specify possible strategies for an environmentally sound development of OWF: First there is a strong necessity of Avoidance measures , especially by an effective Spatial Planning e.g. by the Exclusion of OWF in areas of special sensitivity or by the Exclusion of OWFs outside of priority areas Second, Technical mitigation measures should be applied e.g. the lights could be Shut down, to avoid the attraction of birds by the lighting or to reduced the noise of the ramming by Mitigation measures against underwater noise Third Reforms in the Application Process and especially in the Environmental Impact Assessment are desireable: e.g. the Focus should concentrate especially on the relevant negative impacts A Standardisation of the prognosis is required and legal thresholds are necessary - And last but not least marine Compensation measures need to be developped. Next to real marine compensation measures also other forms of compensation as eg. onshore compens. or the reduction of other marine uses like fishery or shipping can be possible.



2. Good Practice: Avoidance by Reform of Spatial Planning

• Future OWFs away from important seabird habitats

• High-density harbor porpoise habitats should be kept free of future OWFs

• Reforms of the SEA of marine spatial and grid planning: consideration of alternatives and cumulative assessment of impacts

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Vorführender


First step in the mitigation hierarchy is the avoidance. What can that mean in the marine area? Future OWFs should be planned away from important seabird habitats to avoid high rates of collisions and habitat [in Germany we called this “Seetaucherhauptrastgebiet”] Picture: Abundance of loons. high density west of the island of Sylt Additionally high-density harbor porpoise habitats should be kept free of future OWFs [see the German “Schallschutzkonzept” BMU 2014]. Picture: Abundance of harbor porpoises, especially high west of Sylt Next the Strategic environmental assessment of the marine spatial planning should reach to clerly consider and assess alternative locations as well as an cumulative assessment of all OWFs (even internationally) Picture: SEA of offshore grid development plan which up to now did not really consider alternative location nor to assess the impact of the OWFs altogether



2. Good Practice: Mitigation against Underwater Noise

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Vorführender


If avoidance is not possible, technical mitigation should be applied. In Germany the research on technical minimization of underwater noise brought promising results: The Mitigation effect of the different technical mitigation measures was up to 20 dB, that means the noise was reduced by much more than 50%!On the pictures you can see different noise mitigation methods: 1 Big Bubble Curtain (air bubbles by pumping air through a perforated hose) 2 Small Bubble Curtain (positioned at the direct vicinity of the pile) 3 Fire hose system (air bubble replaced by fire hoses) 4 Casing (hollow steel tubes) 5 Hydro Sound Damper (air bubbles replaced by air filled baloons) 6 Offshore foundation drilling: without any harming noise, but at the moment very time consuming and thus expensive But the costs for these technique are not negligible: there are costs of several hundred thousand Euros per turbine and several million per OWF, but of course you have to know that this is only a very small fraction of the overall construction cost of about 1.5 billion Euros per OWF.



2. Good Practice: Mitigation against Underwater Noise

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© DONG Energy 2015

Vorführender


In this picture you see a successfull use of a Big Bubble Curtain: the noise of the ramming could thereby be kept under legal threshold


Technische Universität Berlin IAIA Special Symposium: Water and Impact Assessment 2. Good Practice: Reform of Application and EIA Standardisation of EIA • SEA on level of the marine spatial planning / offshore grid planning with

consideration of alternatives and cumulative assessment

• Focus on the decision relevant effects of OWF: birds and harbor porpoises

• Establish standards for Prognosis Models the Environmental Impacts Studies (StUK plus)

• Establish cumulative assessment of effects (international)

• Establish thresholds for the relevant effects

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Vorführender


Next step for a Good Practice for an Environmentally Sound Development of OWF is a Reform of Application and EIA Firstly the SEA alredy on level of the marine spatial planning / offshore grid planning should help to exclude OWF in areas of high ecological impartance and to evaluate alternatives with consideration of alternatives and cumulative assessment on the level of the application process, the EIA also could be improved at different points: � The Focus on of the EIA should be on the decision relevant effects of OWF, as there are: birds and harbor porpoises Standards for Prognosis Models the Environmental Impacts Studies should be established Cumulative assessment of effects (even on an international level) should be carried out and last, legal thresholds for the relevant effects should be established



2. Good Practice: Reform of application and EIA

Thresholds for the relevant impacts of OWF in the approval process

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Relevant Impact

Proposed thresholds

(Temporary) Habitat loss (e.g., mammals, resting birds)

10% of habitat (in sensitive areas 1%)

Additional annual collision of migratory birds

1% (UNEP)

Thresholds of ramming noise 160 dB in a distance of 750 m

Damage of legally protected biotopes (e.g. reefs).

5 ha (if total damage of biotope is <0,1%)

Vorführender


For several special subjects of protection already haven been established in German: As there are thresholds for (Temporary) Habitat loss of habitat (e.g., mammals, resting birds): 10% of habitat (in sensitive areas 1%) (BMU, 2014). Additional annual collision of migratory birds 1% (van der Winden et al., 2014) Thresholds of ramming noise in dB 160 dB in a distance of 750 m (BMU, 2014). Damage of legally protected biotopes (e.g. reefs). 5 ha (if total damage of biotope is <0,1%) (Bernotat, 2013)



2. Good Practice: Application of compensation measures

• Federal Nature Conservation Act and several international agreements requirecompensation measures

• Marine compensation measures for certain marine biotopes and onshore already exist and should be required in the approval procedure (Lüdeke et al 2014).

• Alternative: Compensation measures onshore

• Ultima Ratio: Innovative forms of compensation

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Vorführender


But not all of the impacts of OWF can be avoided or mitigated. Thus the rest of the impacts should be compensated: the Federal Nature Conservation Act requires marine compensation measures [from next year on this compensation has to be fulfilled also for OWF, which up to now have been legally excepted. Furthermore also several international agreements (e.g., HELCOM, OSPAR, and Habitat Directive) and the German Marine Spatial Planning document demand such marine compensation measures In 2014 I made an investigated on possible approaches for marine compensation and showed that marine compensatory mitigation measures are a prerequisite for the offshore development (published in Naturschutz und Landschaftsplanung) As habitat loss for seabirds and for harbor porpoises are of special relevance, one should concentrate on compensation measures for these species e.g. by improvement of the habitats for birds and harbor porpoises by enrichments of food availability like benthos or fish Next, also onshore Compensation measures for offshore impacts could become possible. eg.by a a Support of affected species (e.g. of the affected birds in the breeding areas or reduce species-specific risks of by the reduction of risks for harbor porpoises like incidental bycatch, prey depletion or pollution. Also innovative forms of compensation should be established. These can be e.g. a lesser intensive marine use. Of course fishers and shipping companies have to be compensated for a less intensive use In cases where compensation was disproportionate to impact, in lieu fees could replace these compensation measures, this would mean compensation measures in the form of monetary payment (with obligatory species specific use)



3. Method for the Evaluation of Good Practice

• Evaluation by about 50 expert interviews using a questionnaire • experts of the different branches of the offshore wind energy sector

(universities, administration/government, offshore wind companies, environmental NGOs).

• First investigation: experts compared different subjects of protection (2011)

• Second investigation (2015) on evaluation of the reform inititatives for offshore wind planning

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Vorführender


Now we come to part 3 of my presentation: the evaluation of the possibilties for good practice for an environmentally sound development of offshore wind energy: To validate the suggested reform initatives, I made an investigation using a questionnaire asking nearly 50 experts of the different branches of the offshore wind energy sector (universities, administration/government, offshore wind companies, environmental NGOs). nearly 50% of the asked experts participated in the investigation One survey was made in 2011 about the different subjects of protection as there are: mankind, birds, mammals, cumulative impacts, climate change, socioeconomic aspects and ships. I tried to find out more about their relevance according to each other according to the experts. A second survey was made in 2015 with the same group of experts. I asked for an evaluation of possible reform initatives, which I presented in part 2 of my presentation, as there are: reforms of spatial planning; mitigation, EIA, and the establishment of compensation measures)



3. Results on Reforms of EIA

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0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Mankind(Tourism, cultural

goods)

Birds (Resting andMigrating Birds)

Mammals (HarborPorpoise)

CumulativeEffects

Climate Change Socio EconomicEffects

Shipping

more important

just important

less important

Vorführender


The participation in the investigation on the different subjects of protection (in 2011) was quite high: more than 40% of the experts answered the questionnaire. The results were quite clear: The experts demanded more importance in the environmental investigations on mammals (especially harbour porpoises) and on resting and migrating birds. Over 80% of the experts answered, these subjects should attain a higher relevance in the environmental investigations according to other subjects of protection. Other subjects include human aspects, socio-economic aspects, or benthos and fish were not seen as relevant as were birds or mammals, as more than 80% judged them less relevant. Experts also showed only moderate interest in aspects like climate change or cumulative aspects of OWF within the EIA. Less than 20% of the experts demanded higher relevance of these subjects.



3. Results of the Evaluation of Good Practise

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0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Compensation: Application of real marine offshorecompensation measures

Compensation: Application of other compensationmeasure (onshore, reduction of other impacts)

EIA: Special Focus on relevant impacts (birds,mammals)

EIA: Standardization of Prognosis

EIA: Strict thresholds (underwater noise, reductionof habitat)

Technical mitigation: lightening of OWF only whennecessary (reduction of collicion risk)

Technical mitigation: Obligatory application oftechnical noise mitigation measures

Spatial Planning: Exclusion of OWF outside ofpriority areas

Spatial Planning: Exclusion of OWF in hot spot areas(e.g. of mammals, loons)

very importantimportantless importantnot desirable

Vorführender


The results of my investigation in 2015 on the possible reform initiatives were nearly as unequivocally: The analysis of expert answers showed a broad majority of support to all given suggestions. 70% of the investigated experts demand for an improvement of marine spatial planning (exclusion of OWFs outside of priority areas) and 60% want to exclude future wind farms in hot spot areas. Technical mitigation measures against underwater noise are seen as important by more than 70% of the experts, technical changes with the lightening of the turbines were seen as important by 60% of the experts. According to a reform of the EIA experts were demanding firstly for strict thresholds (>80%), next for the special focus on relevant impacts (80%) and with a lower share also for a standardisation of the prognosis (60%). The application of marine compensation measures was seen as relevant by more than 80% of the experts. The experts especially were asking for real marine compensation measures, but with a lower share also for innovative compensation measures as e.g. onshore compensation for offshore impacts.



4. Summary

• Reforms of Spatial Planning necessary

• Technical mitigation measures against underwater noise are obligatory

• Reforms of EIA are desireable

• Marine compensation measure are urgently required

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Vorführender


Now we come to the summary and the conclusions of my PhD, The results of the experts interviews and my PhD can be summarized as follows: There is a need of a reform of the Spatial Planning process: In areas of high abundance of sensitive species, e.g., of loons or harbour porpoises, future OWFs should be excluded. Sidestepping exclusions of OWFs outside the areas of suitability should no longer be possible. Scientif. research has described clearly the possibility of injuries of whales without mitigation measures against underwater noise, thus technical mitigation measures should continue to be integrated in the construction process, as it is already common practice in GER Tests using multiple forms of noise mitigation measures are therefore ongoing and should be continued. Unless standardized methods and thresholds are introduced in Europe and internationally, it will continue to be impossible for agencies to effectively (cumulatively) assess and compare impacts, thus reforms of the EIA are desirable Thresholds especially for the relevant negative impacts (birds and harbour porpoises) should be established. As not all impacts of OWFs can be avoided or mitigated by spatial planning and technical mitigation measures, compensation measures are necessary. Thus, offshore and onshore compensation measures for marine impacts should be implemented.



4. Summary and Discussion

• Knowledge on the impacts of OWFs on the marine environment has advanced considerably

• Impacts for benthic organisms and fish could be assessed as positive, impacts on birds and on harbour porpoises as relevant negative

• An environmentally sound offshore wind development can be possible, especially with the use of avoidance, mitigation and compensation measures

• But an (international and cumulative) assessment of impacts over a longer period is still necessary

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Vorführender


Now I will sum up shortly the development of OWFs in Germany in the last ten years and make conclusion for the future: Knowledge on the impacts of OWFs on the marine environment has advanced considerably Impacts for benthic organisms and fish could be assessed as positive, impacts on birds and on harbour porpoises have to be assessed as relevant negative Thus even synergies between offshore wind and nature protection, e.g. by cessation of fisheries and the creation of artificial reefs, are possible. The review of offshore data from the last ten years in Germany and internationally provides evidence that an environmentally sound offshore wind development is possible, especially with the use of avoidance, mitigation and compensation measures But an (international and cumulative) assessment of impacts over a longer period is still required Thus, international scientific research and collaboration is still urgently necessary



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Results of the investigation will be published in the upcoming PhD thesis on “Strategies for an environmentally sound development of offshore wind energy” The investigation was recently submitted to Journal of Environmental Policy and Management Contact: [email protected]

©kentonline.co.uk

An Environmentally Sound Development of Offshore Wind Energy is possible!

Vorführender


Results of the investigation will be published in the upcoming PhD thesis on “Strategies for an environmentally sound development of offshore wind energy” . � The investigation was recently submitted to Journal of Environmental Policy and Management If you have any more questions you can contact me by e-mail or just ask right now ([email protected])

Documents

Technische Universität Berlin IAIA Special …...Development of Offshore Wind Energy Suggestions for Good Practice in Planning, Mitigation, Environmental Assessment, and Compensation