Fugro's BeWild will collect environmental DNA

By: James Bernthal-Hooker 03/05/2023 Fugro

Equipment General Windfarms

Fugro has launched its BeWild project at its TEchCenter in Nootdorp. Using environmental DNA (eDNA), the BeWild project aims to measure biodiversity at offshore wind farms.

Partners on the BeWild project include Wageningen University (which will focus on DNA sequencing methodologies), Stichting de Rijke Noordzee (which will explore integrating biodiversity monitoring with regular asset inspection), Mecal – ATS (which will develop an improved scour protection system), Seekable (which will optimise cable burial monitoring solutions), and CrossWind (which will provide access to an operational wind farm for testing and investigations).

Fugro and its partners will collect eDNA samples in the North Sea using ROVs and USVs, in order to assess offshore wind farms’ impacts on biodiversity and to explore new ways of adapting existing infrastructure to enhance marine habitats.

Daniel Smith, Fugro’s Solution Owner Offshore Wind Farm Site Appraisal, remarked:

“By integrating ecological monitoring with routine asset inspections, wind farm operators will not only reduce the risk of possible technical failures, but broader ecological failures such as habitat loss or habitat fragmentation. This is a crucial step in safeguarding our energy resources and our natural environment.”

The BeWild project has been developed with a Mission-driven Research, Development and Innovation (MOOI) subsidy from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, implemented by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).

To view projects on 4C Offshore's interactive map, click here.

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