Velenturf, APM orcid.org/0000-0003-2635-0546, Emery, AR, Hodgson, DM orcid.org/0000-0003-3711-635X et al. (6 more authors) (2021) Geoscience Solutions for Sustainable Offshore Wind Development. Earth Science, Systems and Society, 1. 10042. ISSN 2634-730X
Abstract
Low carbon energy infrastructure, such as wind and solar farms, are crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C. During 2020, 5.2 GW of offshore wind capacity went into operation worldwide, taking the total operational capacity of global offshore wind to 32.5 GW from 162 offshore windfarms, and over 200 GW of new capacity is planned by 2030. To meet net-zero targets, growth of offshore wind generation is expected, which raises new challenges, including integration of offshore wind into the natural environment and the wider energy system, throughout the wind farm lifecycle. This review examines the role of geosciences in addressing these challenges; technical sustainability challenges and opportunities are reviewed, filtered according to global governance priorities, and assessed according to the role that geoscience can play in providing solutions. We find that geoscience solutions play key roles in sustainable offshore wind energy development through two broad themes: 1) windfarm and infrastructure site conditions, and 2) infrastructure for transmission, conversion and energy storage. To conclude, we recommend priorities and approaches that will support geoscience contributions to offshore wind, and ultimately enable sustainable offshore wind development. Recommendations include industry collaboration and systems for effective data sharing and archiving, as well as further research, education and skills.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2021 Velenturf, Emery, Hodgson, Barlow, Mohtaj Khorasani, Van Alstine, Peterson, Piazolo and Thorp. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. |
Keywords: | offshore wind energy, sustainability, geo-assets, climate change, whole system, life cycle, seismic stratigraphy, ground models |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Civil Engineering (Leeds) The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Earth and Environment (Leeds) > Institute for Applied Geosciences (IAG) (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 01 Dec 2021 14:23 |
Last Modified: | 01 Dec 2021 14:23 |
Published Version: | https://www.escubed.org/articles/10.3389/esss.2021... |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Frontiers Media |
Identification Number: | 10.3389/esss.2021.10042 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:181029 |