SAMS news room

The consequences of marine renewable energy

A research project looking at the consequences for marine renewable energy developments is getting underway at the institute in a funding partnership with commercial law firm Harper Macleod LLP.

As part of its commitment to supporting the renewable energy industry, Harper Macleod is helping to fund marine mammal scientist Nienke van Geel to investigate bottlenose dolphin movement patterns on the west coast of Scotland and whether it is possible to minimise the impacts of marine energy construction work. This research is co-funded by the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology Scotland (MASTS). 

Nienke’s supervisor, Dr Ben Wilson, senior lecturer in marine ecology and renewable energy, said the seas around Scotland have the potential to provide abundant marine-green energy. “However, in our haste to make full use of these renewable resources we must also safeguard our local environment. This project offers an exciting opportunity to discover more about the ecology of a mysterious Scottish dolphin population and help us balance their needs alongside the construction of an emerging and urgently needed industry.”

Harper Macleod Head of Energy and Natural Resources, David Bone, said: “The natural landscape and climate of Scotland has given us a fantastic opportunity to generate income for the nation and support local employment. However, we must be careful not to squander this gift and use it to its best potential to ensure prosperity for future generations whilst protecting our environment. We’re pleased to support research which could potentially encourage sustainable renewable energy worldwide.”

Nienke commented: “Scotland is rapidly becoming the focus for marine renewable developments, particularly offshore wind, wave and tidal-stream energy, but the possible impact of their operation and construction on marine life is poorly understood. My study will investigate patterns of mobility and detection methods to assess whether it is possible to time marine renewable device construction so that it does not occur when dolphins are likely to be in the vicinity.”

Nienke graduated with BSc biology and MSc natural resources management degrees from Utrecht University in Holland. She has worked for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) on beaked whale acoustics and habitats in the Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands, and for the last two years was the marine biodiversity officer with the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, conducting visual and acoustic cetacean monitoring surveys throughout the west coast of Scotland.



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