BWEA31 20-22 October 2009, Liverpool COWRIE will be presenting at BWEA 31st Annual Conference and Exhibition in Liverpool. The BWEA annual three day conference and exhibition is an event designed by industry, packed with content. The three days conference programme welcome speakers from high level Government and stakeholders, to industry leaders and entrepreneurs discussing developments in UK wind, wave and tidal energy, and small wind systems. BWEA31 will take place at the ACC Liverpool, a landmark regeneration project on the outstanding Mersey River Waterfront next to the famous Albert Dock. The ACC is one of the most sustainable venues in Europe - designed to halve its potential CO2 emissions. It even has its very own wind turbines. The Cowrie session: 22nd October 10.30-11.45 For more information visit: http://www.bwea31.com/programme.html
20-22 October 2009
14th October 2009, London
Earlier this year, Cowrie supported free workshops for primary School Students. The events were run by the Marine Biological Association and the National Marine Aquarium. The workshops were designed by the Marine Biological Association and the National Marine Aquarium with funding from COWRIE to meet many units of the English National Curriculum for Key Stage 2 for a range of subjects, including Science, Design Technology and Citizeship. Students took part in three connected workshop sessions: Habitats Adaptation and Foodwebs. Pupils discovereded which animals colonise the bases of the turbines and why! Technology. Pupils saw a miniature wind turbine working and generating electricity and discussed the need for Renweable Energy. They also designed their own weight bearing turbines to take back to school. Wind Turbines and the Environment. Pupils examined the planning process associated with responsible windfarm developments and the different issues that need to be addressed before a development can take place. The workshops were very successful with 216 pupils attending. All of the workshops were linked to free supporting teacher resources, activity sheets and a interactive seabed that can be found on the Education section of this website. http://www.offshorewindfarms.co.uk/Pages/Education ·
March-April 2009
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COWRIE is pleased to announce the release of the above report prepared by BTO (British Trust for Ornithology). Cowrie commissioned the priority research BTO WSHOP-09 to produce a set of protocols for the use of High definition imagery for surveying sea birds and marine mammals. Previously, visual techniques used for surveying seabirds and marine mammals were ship-based, conventional aerial surveys, and to a lesser extent shore-based counts of birds. Conventional aerial surveys involve direct recording by observers, with a recommended flying altitude of 80 m; data are later transcribed and geo-referenced using GPS. Recent technological advances have enabled use of high definition imagery for survey. The aim of this report was to review trials of high definition imagery technology in the monitoring and assessment of the numbers of sea birds and marine mammals at offshore sites, and produce recommendations and protocols on its use alongside existing survey methodology, notably in light of its possible use in surveying round 3 wind farm development zones. To this end, a workshop was organized to bring together key users, developers and regulators of the industry. Click here to download the full report.
November 2009
COWRIE is pleased to announce the release of the above report prepared by BTO (British Trust for Ornithology). Cowrie commissioned the priority research METH-08-08 to review assessment methodologies and provide further recommendations for carrying out ornithological impact assessments. COWRIE previously published guidelines for ship and aerial survey of marine birds for offshore windfarm assessments (Camphuysen et al. 2004). The purposes of the current review are fourfold: 1. to assess the extent to which these recommendations have been followed 2. to identify any differences in interpretation of the guidance between sites 3. to test the practicalities of using high definition cameras during aerial surveys 4. to provide more rigorous guidelines for the type of analytical techniques that should be used. Click here to download the full report. NB19 January 2010: Some slight clarifications are currently being made on this report. The updated version will be available in the next coming weeks NB: Note that a recent workshop, conducted in July 2009, reviewed developments in high definition imagery approaches and provides more up to date information and recommendations than are given here.
Cowrie is pleased to announce the release of the above report prepared by the Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews. Cowrie commissioned the priority research project STANDBIRD – 09 with the objective of analyzing the ability to detect changes in water bird abundance resulting from offshore windfarm development, of two different aerial survey methods. The report describes the analysis of two aerial surveys in the Norfolk Round 3 Zone 5 potential offshore windfarm area, conducted in the spring of 2009. One survey employed on-board observers and a second survey employed digital video technology to collect animal detections.The full report can be downloaded here STANDBIRD - 09.pdf
COWRIE was named Best Environmental Initiative at the prestigious 2009 Scottish Renewables Green Energy Awards, held in Edinburgh on 3rd December. The award, sponsored by BRE Scotland, recognises how the renewables industry, projects and/or initiatives can help to assist in achieving wider environmental goals. COWRIE was selected from a shortlist of four initiatives, all of which represented significant contributions to the renewables projects in Scotland. Receiving the Award on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Dr Carolyn Heeps told the 600 guest at the dinner “ I am accepting this Award on behalf of the many people that have contributed to the research and studies that COWRIE has conducted since it was established in 2001. In particular the offshore wind sector has made a significant contribution to the development of best practice, demonstrating that it takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously.” Alan Moore, Chairman of the Board of Trustees further acknowledged the contribution of representatives of Government Departments, statutory conservation advisors, The Crown Estate, NGOs and offshore wind developers, “Cowrie has funded over 44 individual projects, amounting to over £4m, since 2001. Through the working groups we have researched into the most important environmental issues facing the offshore wind industry, including bird collision, displacement and the development of guidance for monitoring and surveying. Marine Mammal studies have also featured in our programme, alongside sediment dynamics, EMF investigations and the testing of high definition video camera monitoring techniques . As a result Cowrie has achieved international recognition for its work and we are delighted to have been recognised as a valuable contribution in Scotland through this Award.” Carolyn added “As a charity Cowrie has a responsibility to share all of this information with the wider public as well as specialist interest groups. We publish all our reports on our website and have also added a range of educational resources for schools. Cowrie also initiated a comprehensive data management system which makes available all of the metadata associated with offshore windfarm development in the UK. Scotland is beginning to realise the potential of its offshore wind resource and the work that Cowrie has conducted will enable developers to follow best practice, ensuring that Scotland’s magnificent marine environment is developed in a sustainable manner whilst offshore wind contributes to Scotland’s energy supply.” COWRIE was nominated for this award on the basis of a number of strengths. As a charity independent of government, COWRIE is unique in its ability to bring together key industry players to help shape research requirements and develop best practice guidance for the offshore wind sector. COWRIE has funded an incredibly wide range of projects, including: an investigation of the potential impact of underwater noise on marine mammals; guidance on archaeological investigation; interactive web-based resources for schools; stakeholder workshops; bird surveys; and the development of a comprehensive and fully accessible data management system. COWRIE has provided the industry with the necessary platform to become involved in developing and disseminating best practice and in this way has promoted sustainable development practices and decision-making based on robust and improved scientific understanding. COWRIE makes all research findings publically available on its website, which has gained an international reputation as a source of authoritative and robust scientific publications with practical applications for industry. See http://www.greenenergyawards.co.uk/ for more information. Dr Caryolyn Heeps receives the award on behalf of the COWRIE Board of Trustees. L - R: Rufus Logan (BRE Scotland), Dr Carolyn Heeps (COWRIE), Heather Reid (BBC Scotland)
9th December 2009
A workshop was recently held for the COWRIE-funded project investigating options to mitigate the potential impact of offshore windfarms on commercial fishing activities. The aim of the workshop was to develop and review a list of possible mitigation options, and it was attended by representatives of the NFFO, NUTFA, SAGB and SFF, as well as by a small number of independent fishermen and representatives of COWRIE, the British Wind Energy Association and statutory bodies. A number of key points were made from the start, including that fishermen considered loss of access to grounds to be the most significant negative impact of windfarms, while the main potential benefit was considered to be the creation of new habitat for target species and any new fishing opportunities that may develop as a result. Very early consultation between developers and fishermen was highlighted as being an important starting point for any discussions. Workshop attendees supported the project aim of producing a mitigation options ‘toolbox’ for fishermen and developers to use when discussing the possible impacts of any new offshore windfarms. Mitigation options then proposed included micro-siting turbines to avoid obstructing favoured tows, using hatchery seed to enhance fished stocks, and supporting the establishment of small biodiesel production facilities. Four general themes were identified for the full list: a) pre-development options, b) options to enhance habitats and species, c) options to support existing fisheries, and d) options to develop new fisheries or other opportunities. Comments are now welcomed on the draft list of possible mitigation options. This list, including further details on the project, is available here. A summary of the workshop is available here. Notes:The project’s Expert Advisory Group is made up of representatives from the NFFO, NUTFA, SAGB, SFF and WFFA, as well as from Defra, three SFCs, the BWEA, COWRIE, JNCC and the Crown Estate.
30th November 2009
Tender opportunity Quantifying the Performance and Development of Practical Field Equipment for Acoustic Mitigation Devices (AMDs) on marine mammals in offshore wind farm areas(COWRIE AMD 08-09) Closing date: Monday 24th August 2009, Noon Potential contractors are invited to submit their proposals for quantifying the performance of possible acoustic mitigation devices (AMDs) on marine mammal individuals and, if considered efficient, to develop practical guidance for the deployment of AMDs use in offshore wind farm areas to mitigate the risk of injury to marine mammals. Please note that due to the specialist nature of this tender, COWRIE requires that all applicants must clearly demonstrate their background expertise. The Tender Specification Document (click here to download the document) contains full details of the tender process and services requirements. All tenders must be received by Monday 24th August 2009, Noon. Submission details can be found in section 10 of the Tender Specification Document above. Contractual Process The model contract terms can be found here If you have any issues, please ensure that you raise them in your tender application. Evaluation Reviewers will be appointed to evaluate projects as part of the process for selecting successful tenderers. The evaluation criteria for tender submissions can be found here
deadline 24th August noon
Tender opportunity Offshore Geotechnical Investigations and Historic Environment Analysis: guidance for the renewable energy sector (COWRIE GEO-ARCH-09) Closing date: Thursday 3rd September 2009, Noon Potential contractors are invited to submit their proposals for preparing a guidance document setting out how geotechnical survey material can be used to support archaelogical analysis as part of the overall environmental assessment for offshore renewable energy projects. Please note that due to the specialist nature of this tender, COWRIE requires that all applicants must clearly demonstrate their background expertise. The Tender Specification Document (click here to download the document) contains full details of the tender process and services requirements. All tenders must be received by Thursday 3rd September 2009, Noon. Submission details can be found in section 10 of the Tender Specification Document above. Contractual Process The model contract terms can be found here If you have any issues, please ensure that you raise them in your tender application. Evaluation Reviewers will be appointed to evaluate projects as part of the process for selecting successful tenderers. The evaluation criteria for tender submissions can be found here
NOW CLOSED
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