DEEE0010287

Via multi-sector, transdisciplinary collaboration, and in consultation with wind energy stakeholders, we will develop a structured framework for comprehensive evaluation of potential effects of offshore wind energy on wildlife and habitats, across a range of spatial and temporal scales.

The project goals are framed around defined management and conservation questions and aim to improve our understanding of the effects of offshore wind energy development on wildlife and habitats, positive or negative. Additionally, we seek to improve our understanding of the mechanisms for these effects, distinguish between short- and long-term effects, as well as their cumulative or population-level ramifications, and further develop and validate methods for examining and assessing these effects.

We will achieve these goals through strategic monitoring and integrated research, synchronized with planned development activities. This approach will enable state and federal agencies and wind energy developers to integrate local-scale information with existing regional and ecosystem-level scientific data. By doing so, we aim to reduce uncertainty in impact assessments at both the individual and population levels.

Duke University

THE ACTIVITIES TO BE FUNDED UNDER THIS FOA SUPPORT REGIONALLY FOCUSED, COORDINATED RESEARCH EFFORTS TO INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF OFFSHORE WIND DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS TO ADVANCE AND VALIDATE TECHNICAL READINESS OF TOOLS FOR MONITORING AND MINIMIZING IMPACTS. THIS FOA CONSISTS OF THREE TOPIC AREAS: 1. DEVELOPMENT OF METHODOLOGIES AND EVALUATION OF OFFSHORE WIND IMPACTS ON WILDLIFE IN U.S. ATLANTIC WATERS; 2. DEVELOPMENT OF METHODOLOGIES AND EVALUATION OF OFFSHORE WIND IMPACTS ON THE ECOLOGY OF COMMERCIALLY FISHED SPECIES IN US ATLANTIC WATERS; AND 3. ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE STUDIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION FOCUSED ON U.S. WATERS OFF OF THE U.S. WEST COAST, IN PREPARATION FOR FUTURE FLOATING OFFSHORE WIND DEVELOPMENT.

81.087 - Renewable Energy Research and Development

Golden Field Office (GFO) [DOE - EERE]

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) [DOE]

Beaufort, North Carolina 28516-8648 United States

Single Zip Code

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number DE-FOA-0002237: "Offshore Wind Energy Environmental Research and Instrumentation Validation" (DE-FOA-0002237)

Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 05/31/23 to 12/31/25 and the total obligations have increased 3% from $7,237,347 to $7,437,346.