Webinar on Offshore Wind Development

Floating offshore wind platform.\Photo courtesy of NOAA.

The U.S. Offshore Wind Synthesis of Environmental Effects Research (SEER) project is hosting a free, public webinar series to share the latest research on the potential environmental effects of offshore wind energy development, including minimization and monitoring strategies.

On Sept. 13, 9 a.m., the online panel discussion will be on “Environmental Considerations for Nearshore Ecosystems from Cable Landfall, Navigation, and Port Development for Offshore Wind Energy.” The webinar will feature brief presentations from experts, a panel discussion, and an audience Q&A period.

Offshore wind energy relies on nearshore infrastructure to build, maintain and operate a wind farm. As the density of human activities on the coastline increases, effects to wildlife and habitat in coastal and estuary habitat need to be well understood. This webinar will highlight environmental considerations needed for the development of offshore wind energy and its potential effects on nearshore ecosystems, including effects from cable landfall, navigation, and port development. (Note: This is a major concern where possible development of floating offshore wind off Oregon is concerned. Oregon Shores will be looking hard at potential impacts to beaches and estuaries.)

Speakers for the webinar are:

*Kathy Matthews, North Carolina Renewable Energy Coordinator & Fish and Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

*Negar Vahidi, Planning & Public Policy Director, Aspen Environmental Group

*Shane Phillips, Senior Civil/Coastal Engineer, Moffatt & Nichol

The webinar recording will be made available on Tethys (https://tethys.pnnl.gov/) and emailed to all registrants shortly after the webinar.

Learn more about SEER at https://tethys.pnnl.gov/seer. At the direction of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Wind Energy Technologies Office, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and National Renewable Energy Laboratory are jointly leading a multi-year collaborative effort to facilitate knowledge transfer for offshore wind research around the world. The U.S. Offshore Wind Synthesis of Environmental Effects Research (SEER) effort aims to synthesize key issues and disseminate existing knowledge about environmental effects, inform applicability to U.S. waters, and prioritize future research needs. Download the SEER Factsheet for a high-level summary.

To attend the webinar, go here.