Environmental impacts of offshore wind installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning activities: A case study of Brazil. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: C, O. Mauricio Hernandez; Shadman, Milad; Amiri, Mojtaba Maali; Silva, Corbiniano; Estefen, Segen F.; La Rovere, Emilio
• Is Part Of: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews. Volume 144(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: AL Alagoas -- ANEEL National Electric Energy Agency -- ANP National Petroleum Agency -- AP Amapá -- BA Bahía -- CE Ceará -- CLV Cable-laying vessel -- CTV Crew transfer vessel -- EEZ Exclusive economic zone -- EIA Environmental Impact Assessment -- EIS Environmental Impact statement -- EPE Energy Research Office -- ES Espírito Santo -- GHG Greenhouse gas -- GWEC Global Wind Energy Council -- HDD Horizontal directional drilling -- IBAMA Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources -- IEA International Energy Agency -- IPU Integral protection units -- JUB Jack-up barges -- KPI Key performance indicator -- LCOE Levelized Cost of Electricity -- MA Maranhão -- MMA Ministry of Environment -- MME Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy -- MSP Marine spatial planning -- MW MegaWatt -- O&G Oil and gas -- OWA Offshore Wind Area -- OWE Offshore Wind Energy -- OWF Offshore Wind Farms -- PA Pará -- PB Paraíba -- PE Pernambuco -- PI Piauí -- PV Photovoltaic -- RJ Rio de Janeiro -- RN Rio Grande do Norte -- ROV remotely operated vehicles -- RS Rio Grande do Sul -- SC Santa Catarina -- SCADA Supervisory control and data acquisition system -- SE Sergipe -- SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment -- SP São Paulo -- SUU Sustainable use units -- TLP tension-leg platform -- UK The United Kingdom -- WTIV Wind turbine installation vessel; Offshore wind energy -- Installation -- O&M -- Decommissioning -- Environmental impacts -- Brazilian offshore wind; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.110994
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-0321

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of the paper is to perform a review of the environmental impacts of the installation, operation and maintenance (O&M), and decommissioning of offshore wind technologies. At first, a comprehensive review is presented on offshore wind technologies and techniques related to the installation, O&M, and decommissioning stages. Then a thorough review of environmental issues using the main available studies in the literature associated with the activities of each stage is performed. The review employs an activity–stressor–receptor–impact framework in which the possible positive or negative impacts of an environmental stressor on a specific receptor are identified for each activity, such as pile driving, cabling, blade rotation, etc. Additionally, a case study of Brazil addresses regions with biological resources, marine protected areas, and offshore wind hotspots considering atmospheric reanalysis along the coastline. Moreover, the presence of the offshore oil and gas (O&G) industry is discussed as an important influence on the development of offshore wind projects in Brazil. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Environmental impacts analyzing the activity–stressor–receptor–impact relationship. Extremely high biological importance areas within Brazilian hotspots shallow water. O&G activities along Brazilian hotspots of the Northeast and the Southeast coastline. Recommendations for the offshore wind environmental licensing process in Brazil.