FLOWN-MIT: Floating Offshore Wind Operational Underwater Noise Monitoring and Mitigation

Status: Active

Start Date: January 2024

Leading Organisation: Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult

Underwater noise is a key consideration of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process for floating offshore wind (FLOW) developments. While the industry has gathered significant data banks relating to noise emissions associated with bottom-fixed offshore wind turbines, fewer sources exist for floating offshore wind.

The FLOWN-MIT project aims to investigate in more detail the different components of underwater noise from the FLOW infrastructure, which together can create complex acoustic scenes underwater. In collaboration with engineers and industry stakeholders, the project will also evaluate potential mitigation options for certain noise components and develop a passive acoustic monitoring framework which can guide future noise monitoring during the different life stages of FLOW arrays.