Research & Development

Projet

SPECIES

Subsea power cables interactions with environment and associated surveys

Motivation & background

For ORE projects to be best integrated into the marine environment, it is important to know the interactions between these new types of infrastructures and coastal marine ecosystems. Within the framework of calls for tenders issued by the French government for the installation and operation of offshore wind farms, the question of the impact of subsea power cables is regularly raised during the consultation phases. This is also a point that is carefully examined by the environmental authority that assesses the regulatory impact studies of wind power projects. Although the direct impacts of electromagnetic fields and temperature emitted by cables are often considered to be low within the community of scientific experts, there is nevertheless a lack of data from environmental monitoring of existing projects to address these issues.

SPECIES Project

Objectif

  • To enhance knowledge of the potential impacts of ORE electric power cables on coastal ecosystems.

Main achievements

In situ characterisation of changes in electromagnetic fields and temperature

Experimental and in situ characterisation of the impact of power cables on the benthos

Assessment of the reef effect of submarine cables and associated structures

Drafting of recommendations for future impact assessments

Resources generated

  • Stationary device for static measurements of electromagnetic fields, deployable down to -50 m with enough autonomy for continuous operation over several days
  • Database (electric and magnetic fields, temperature, animal and plant biodiversity, photos and videos)
  • Public report with recommendations for monitoring and studying the impact of subsea power cables on benthic ecosystems

Conclusion

During the project, no drastic negative impact of subsea power cables on benthic ecosystems was found. However, the research effort initiated must be continued as certain issues remain insufficiently documented. The project was a real opportunity to develop and test tools for measuring electromagnetic fields at sea. It has also permitted to propose sampling and experimentation protocols and to formulate clear and effective recommendations for studying the effect of power cables on the invertebrate communities living on soft or rocky seabeds. These are summarised in a public report that will enable the industry to adopt appropriate management measures.

Partners

This project was led by Ifremer et France Energies Marines.

Logo France Energies Marines
Logo Ifremer
Logo EDF
Logo EDF Renouvelables
Logo Centrale Nantes
Logo RTE
Logo TBM environnement
Logo Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle
Logo MAPPEM GEOPHYSICS

Funding

This project received funding from France Energies Marines and its members and partners, as well as French State funding managed by the National Research Agency under the Investments for the Future Programme (ANR-10-IEED-0006-17).

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Accreditation

This project was certified by the maritime clustersPôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique.

Logo Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique

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