How does Wozep work?
Wozep builds on the know-how surrounding the ecological effects of offshore wind farms through (long-term) research and monitoring. It has both a short-term, as well as long-term objective. With its multi-annual programme, it follows a firm course, but is nevertheless adaptive by setting out a plan each year that takes into account current issues. Wozep collaborates with knowledge institutions, research agencies, universities and engineering consultants. The knowledge and insights acquired by Wozep, are shared extensively by the programme, both nationally and internationally, for example, with other North Sea countries.
Direct effect
In the first instance, the programme hones in on species with a legally protected status which may suffer direct hindrance from wind turbines. For examples, the birds and bats that collide with the turbines or birds which avoid wind farms altogether. This may also include marine mammals which steer clear of wind farms because of underwater noise generated in their construction. This may also be, more specifically, after construction, when animals may be subject to electromagnetic fields emanating from cables on the sea bed.
Changes in habitat
Secondly, Wozep studies the changes in the habitat of marine mammals and bird species as soon as it becomes a wind farm location. The amount of available food supplies may change, for example, some marine life may find it difficult to inhabit the sea bed, or it may no longer be attractive as a breeding ground. All this can have an impact on the presence and the condition of birds, bats and marine mammals.
Effects on the ecosystem
Finally, Wozep also looks into the possible effects of offshore wind farms on the physical processes in the North Sea. These physical processes, for instance, the waves, currents, turbidity of the sea water, form the basis of the ecosystem in the North Sea. They have an impact of the entirety of the food chain and so too on all plants - and animals - vulnerable species likewise. For more information go to the Ecosystem page.
KEC
The ecological knowledge derived by Wozep is used, amongst other things, for gaining insights into the accumulation of ecological effects. In other words, the possible effects of (current and future) offshore wind farms collectively, on nature and the populations inhabiting the North Sea. Because this relates to the effects of current and future wind farms, modelling is used. To this end, KEC has been set up, a framework for assessing the ecological and cumulative effects. KEC uses combinations of models for computing the effects of future scenarios. As a result, we now know more about the possible negative effects on the marine ecology. The acquired knowledge is used by policy-makers, for example, when selecting and demarcating the areas in which wind farms are likely to be constructed. Or, for example, used in regulations which determine the exact location of wind farms, which are designed to mitigate the negative ecological effects. In so doing, the insights into possible future effects help define current research priorities. By understanding the effects better and assessing these more accurately, forecasting by way of modelling is constantly imrpoving. For more information go to the KEC page.
Field research, laboratory research and modelling
Wozep carries out research into the behaviour and movement of animals by tagging or observing them. This is done with the aid of cameras, radar and sensors. In this way it is easier to understand, for example, the extent to which animals live or breed differently during construction, compared with before or after a wind farm has been commissioned. Other research studies are carried out in the laboratory.
Wozep processes research findings into models in order to assess the future effects of offshore wind energy development through modelling calculations.