Satellite data for the offshore renewable energy sector: synergies and innovation opportunities

Medina-Lopez, E. et al. (2021) Satellite data for the offshore renewable energy sector: synergies and innovation opportunities. Remote Sensing of Environment, 264, 112588. (doi: 10.1016/j.rse.2021.112588)

Abstract

Can satellite data be used to address challenges currently faced by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) sector? What benefit can satellite observations bring to resource assessment and maintenance of ORE farms? Can satellite observations be used to assess the environmental impact of offshore renewables leading towards a more sustainable ORE sector? This review paper faces these questions presenting a holistic view of the current interactions between satellite and ORE sectors, and future needs to make this partnership grow. The aim of the work is to start the conversation between these sectors by establishing a common ground. We present offshore needs and satellite technology limitations, as well as potential opportunities and areas of growth. To better understand this, the reader is guided through the history, current developments, challenges and future of offshore wind, tidal and wave energy technologies. Then, an overview on satellite observations for ocean applications is given, covering types of instruments and how they are used to provide different metocean variables, satellite performance, and data processing and integration. Past, present and future satellite missions are also discussed. Finally, the paper focuses on innovation opportunities and the potential of synergies between the ORE and satellite sectors. Specifically, we pay attention to improvements that satellite observations could bring to standard measurement techniques: assessing uncertainty, wind, tidal and wave conditions forecast, as well as environmental monitoring from space. Satellite–enabled measurement of ocean physical processes and applications for fisheries, mammals and birds, and habitat change, are also discussed in depth.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The authors would like to acknowledge Supergen ORE Hub, grant EP/S000747/1, for the Flexible Funding provided for the SCORE project. G.S. Payne's work was carried out within the framework of the WEAMEC, West Atlantic Marine Energy Community, and with funding from the Pays de la Loire Region and Europe (European Regional Development Fund) through the RC+ project. A. Angeloudis would like to acknowledge the NERC Industrial Innovation fellowship grant NE/R013209/2.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Browell, Dr Jethro
• Authors: Medina-Lopez, E., McMillan, D., Lazic, J., Hart, E., Zen, S., Angeloudis, A., Bannon, E., Browell, J., Dorling, S., Dorrell, R.M., Forster, R., Old, C., Payne, G.S., Porter, G., Rabaneda, A.S., Sellar, B., Tapoglou, E., Trifonova, N., Woodhouse, I.H., and Zampollo, A.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Mathematics and Statistics > Statistics
• Journal Name: Remote Sensing of Environment
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0034-4257
• ISSN (Online): 1879-0704
• Published Online: 15 July 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc.
• First Published: First published in Remote Sensing of Environment 264: 112588
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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