Illawarra’s Offshore Wind Proposal: An Irresponsible Gamble was a community event conducted on 9th July 2024, focused on unveiling the risks associated with the offshore wind proposal.
We have compiled an extensive list of resources that informed the conclusions presented during the event, such as the experimental nature of floating turbine projects of this scale, which have not been previously attempted anywhere in the world to the size and scale of the Illawarra proposal (the largest floating windfarm has 11 turbines and 100’s of turbines are proposed off the Illawarra).
This compilation includes highly detailed scientific papers that discuss impacts for example on marine environments, as well as summaries of these studies where available for easier understanding.
These resources are designed to help you validate the information shared at the event and encourage further personal research into the various concerns surrounding the proposal and its potential impacts. A PDF of the slides is provided following these references (this may take a moment to load given its size).
Declaration of Illawarra Wind Area – https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/renewable/offshore-wind/areas/illawarra
Map Layers
Map layers showing whale migration, bird migration, water depths, shipping movements, plus more. Navigate to “Layers” in the side menu and select various options with the Offshore Renewable Energy Infrastructure Region (Illawarra energy zone) selected.
DCCEEW Visualisations – https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/renewable/offshore-wind/areas/illawarra
Sullivan, R.G., Kirchler, L.B., Cothren, J. & Winters, S. (2013). Offshore Wind Turbine Visibility and Visual Impact Threshold Distances. Environmental Practice. 15. 33-49. https://doi:10.1017/S1466046612000464.
Offshore Wind Turbines can be Seen 20-30km from Shore https://blmwyomingvisual.anl.gov/docs/EnvPractice_Offshore%20Wind%20Turbine%20Visibility%20and%20Visual%20Impact%20Threshold%20Distances.pdf
Licenced Video of Gwynt-y-Mor Offshore Wind from https://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/
DCCEEW Summary Report Illawarra Offshore Submissions June 2024
Senate Inquiry Offshore Wind Industry Consultation Processes
Díaz, H., Serna, J., Nieto, J., & Guedes Soares, C. (2022). Market Needs, Opportunities and Barriers for the Floating Wind Industry. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 10(7), 934. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10070934 or https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/10/7/934
South Pacific Offshore Wind Project Illawarra
Equinor/ Oceanex – https://illawarraoffshorewind.com.au/project-introduction/
https://guidetofloatingoffshorewind.com/floating-technology
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floating_wind_turbine
Wind Turbines/ Blades
https://guidetofloatingoffshorewind.com/guide/t-wind-turbine/
https://www.vestas.com/en/products/offshore/V236-15MW
https://en.wind-turbine-models.com/turbines/2317-vestas-v236-15.0#datasheet
https://www.vestas.com/en/products/offshore/V236-15MW/journey/blades
Floating Sub-structures
https://guidetofloatingoffshorewind.com/guide/b-balance-of-plant/b-2-floating-substructure/
Mooring Systems
https://guidetofloatingoffshorewind.com/guide/b-balance-of-plant/b-3-mooring-system/
Offshore Substations
https://guidetofloatingoffshorewind.com/guide/b-balance-of-plant/b-4-offshore-substation/
Onshore Substations
https://guidetofloatingoffshorewind.com/guide/b-balance-of-plant/b-5-onshore-substation/
Windfarm Costs
The Fundamentals including Requirements for Chains
HR Wallingford https://youtu.be/K2Df0Do5pHA?si=pZsLiQIZHmQkmZ34
Oil, Fuel etc.
BOEM predicts that the planned developments will house a total of 19 million gallons of toxic coolants, fuel, oil, and lubricants in the offshore environment. Page 3.6-50 https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/renewable-energy/state-activities/Revolution_Wind_DEIS__Vol1and2_508_compressed.pdf
Offshore Windfarm Supply Chain
GenCost Report 2023-2024
https://www.csiro.au/en/research/technology-space/energy/GenCost
Cost of Wind Energy Review 2022
Long-term Costs of Wind Turbines
https://hbr.org/2024/02/the-long-term-costs-of-wind-turbines
AEMO Australian Energy Market Operator
Professional Fishers Association NSW
Professional Fishers Association NSW Illawarra Consultation Offshore Renewable Energy November 2023
https://www.miragenews.com/fishing-industry-slams-offshore-windfarm-plan-1067032
Australian Fishing Trade Association – https://afta.net.au/offshore-wind-farms-the-impacts/
Scott, K., Harsanyi, P., Easton, B. A., Piper, A. J., Rochas, C. M., & Lyndon, A. R. (2021). Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) from Submarine Power Cables Can Trigger Strength-Dependent Behavioural and Physiological Responses in Edible Crab, Cancer pagurus (L.). Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 9(7), 776. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9070776
Soliveres, E., Espinosa, V., Moszyński, M., Cort, J. L., & Santaella, E. (2020). Monitoring of Caged Bluefin Tuna Reactions to Ship and Offshore Wind Farm Operational Noises. Sensors, 21(21), 6998. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21216998
Bat, Levent & Sezgin, Murat & Sahin, Fatih. (2013). Impacts of OWF installations on fisheries: A Literature Review. Journal of Coastal Life Medicine. 1. 10.12980/JCLM.1.2013J17. https://oaji.net/articles/2015/2154-1435735819.pdf
Copping, A. E., Hemery, L. G., Viehman, H., Seitz, A. C., Staines, G. J., & Hasselman, D. J. (2021). Are fish in danger? A review of environmental effects of marine renewable energy on fishes. Biological Conservation, 262, 109297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109297
https://www.hereon.de/institutes/coastal_systems_analysis_modeling/index.php.en
Downsides of Windpower and the Environmental Impact
https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/10/large-scale-wind-power-has-its-down-side/
Mixing of Water Beyond Offshore Farm Areas
Summary – https://www.hereon.de/innovation_transfer/communication_media/news/111050/index.php.en
Full report – Christiansen, N., Carpenter, J.R., Daewel, U., Suzuki, N., Schrum, C. (2023) The large-scale impact of anthropogenic mixing by offshore wind turbine foundations in the shallow North Sea. Front. Mar. Sci. Volume 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1178330
Shifts in Airflows and Sea Currents
Summary – https://hereon.de/innovation_transfer/communication_media/news/104924/index.php.en
Full research – Christiansen, N., Daewel, U., Djath, B., & Schrum, C. (2022). Emergence of Large-Scale Hydrodynamic Structures Due to Atmospheric Offshore Wind Farm Wakes. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9, 818501. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.818501
Change in Marine Ecosystems with Atmospheric Wakes
Summary – https://www.nationalfisherman.com/national-international/wind-turbines-will-affect-base-of-ocean-food-chain-study-predicts
Full research – Daewel, U., Akhtar, N., Christiansen, N., & Schrum, C. (2022). Offshore wind farms are projected to impact primary production and bottom water deoxygenation in the North Sea. Communications Earth & Environment, 3(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-022-00625-0
Floating Windfarms Recommended Away from Sensitive Enviionmental Areas
Full research – Lloret, J., Turiel, A., Solé, J., Berdalet, E., Sabatés, A., Olivares, A., Gili, J., Vila-Subirós, J., & Sardá, R. (2022). Unravelling the ecological impacts of large-scale offshore wind farms in the Mediterranean Sea. Science of The Total Environment, 824, 153803. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153803
Changes to Surface Climate
Akhtar, N., Geyer, B., & Schrum, C. (2022). Impacts of accelerating deployment of offshore windfarms on near-surface climate. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-22868-9
Sea Shepherd Australia Submission on Offshore Renewable Energy Development in the Illawarra Region
https://www.nooffshoreturbines.com/_files/ugd/f25860_6283f2c83d4e402383769b4e4f4db8ec.pdf
https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/R47894.pdf
Australian Whale Sanctuary
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/marine/marine-species/cetaceans/australian-whale-sanctuary
https://conservation.reefcause.com/the-effects-of-offshore-wind-farms-on-marine-life
Nyqvist, D., Durif, C., Johnsen, M. G., De Jong, K., Forland, T. N., & Sivle, L. D. (2020). Electric and magnetic senses in marine animals, and potential behavioral effects of electromagnetic surveys. Marine Environmental Research, 155, 104888. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.104888
Southall, Brandon & Schusterman, Ronald & Kastak, David. (2000). Masking in three pinnipeds: Underwater, low-frequency critical ratios. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 108. 1322-6. 10.1121/1.1288409. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/12314445_Masking_in_three_pinnipeds_Underwater_low-frequency_critical_ratios
Huang, L. (2022). Unstated impacts of the green energy industry on the habitat of a coastal delphinid: Turbid-turbulent wakes induced by offshore wind turbine foundations. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 32(11), 1787-1796. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3888
How whales struggle to navigate in a sea of noise pollution
https://phys.org/news/2024-04-whales-struggle-sea-noise-pollution.html
Full article: Johnston, S.T., Painter, K.J. Avoidance, confusion or solitude? Modelling how noise pollution affects whale migration. Mov Ecol 12, 17 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40462-024-00458-w
Pile Driving Acoustic Survey
Incidental Harassment of Marine Life USA
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3/2022-12/TerraSondHRGCLB_2022IHA_App_OPR1.pdf
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3/2024-02/BPWRenewal-2024IHA-FIHA-508-OPR1.pdf
DCCEEW Marine Users, Interests and the Environment
Illawarra Birders and SOSSA Joint Submission on Illawarra Proposal
Feast of the Albatross in the Illawarra
https://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2001/07/05/2691952.htm
https://renews.biz/92627/norfolk-extensions-threaten-amber-listed-seabirds
Agreement on the Conservation of Albatross
Australian Govt Impact of Light Pollution on Seabirds
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/campaign/light-pollution/seabirds
Light Pollution Impact
Fox, A. D., Desholm, M., Kahlert, J., Christensen, T. K., & Petersen, I. K. Information needs to support environmental impact assessment of the effects of European marine offshore wind farms on birds. Ibis, 148, 129-144. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.2006.00510.x
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4020-6865-2_8
Atmospheric Circulation Changes – Raghukumar, K., Chartrand, C., Chang, G., Cheung, L., & Roberts, J. (2022). Effect of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines on Atmospheric Circulation in California. Frontiers in Energy Research, 10, 863995. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2022.863995
Location of SS Nemesis off Port Kembla
https://www.csiro.au/-/media/News-releases/2024/February/Solving-the-maritime-mystery-of-the-SS-Nemesis/MAP-General-location-of-the-wreck-of-SS-Nemesis.jpg
Press Release
Underwater Cultural Heritage Act – Australia
United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea
Underwater Cultural Heritage 2001
United Nations Climate Action, Biodiversity – Our Strongest Natural Defence Against Climate Change
United Nations Climate Action, The Ocean – The World’s Greatest Ally Against Climate Change
NOAA Fisheries, Whales and Carbon Sequestration
Sonter, L. J., Dade, M. C., Watson, J. E., & Valenta, R. K. (2020). Renewable energy production will exacerbate mining threats to biodiversity. Nature Communications, 11(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17928-5
Voigt, Straka, and Fritze 2019, Producing wind energy at the cost of biodiversity: A stakeholder view on a green-green dilemma, J. Renewable Sustainable Energy ,2019
Falkowski, P. (2012). Ocean Science: The power of plankton. Nature, 483(7387), S17-S20. https://doi.org/10.1038/483S17a
European scientists calling on the protection of biodiversity https://sinexcusa.org/
Offshore Renewables Knowledge Gaps and Urgently Needed Research Dannheim, J., Bergström, L., Birchenough, S. N., Brzana, R., Boon, A. R., Coolen, J. W., Dauvin, J., De Mesel, I., Derweduwen, J., Gill, A. B., Hutchison, Z. L., Jackson, A. C., Janas, U., Martin, G., Raoux, A., Reubens, J., Rostin, L., Vanaverbeke, J., Wilding, T. A., . . . Degraer, S. (2020). Benthic effects of offshore renewables: Identification of knowledge gaps and urgently needed research. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 77(3), 1092-1108. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsz018
Cost and Issues with Reliability https://manhattan.institute/article/the-new-energy-economy-an-exercise-in-magical-thinking
US Nuclear project cancelled at lower cost of power than offshore wind https://www.afr.com/policy/energy-and-climate/flagship-us-nuclear-reactor-project-collapses-owing-taxpayers-930m-20231109-p5eit0
Vineyard Wind USA – “no collective impact on global warming as a result of offshore wind projects” Page A-66 https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/renewable-energy/state-activities/Vineyard-Wind-1-FEIS-Volume-2.pdf
Full build-out of all projects, will have “no measurable influence on climate change” Pages 3.8-9,3.8-11, 3.8-12
Denmark Biomass Burning Not Factored in Calculations https://noah.dk/Biomass-consumption-in-Denmark
SF6 – McGrath, M. “Climate change: Electrical industry’s ‘dirty secret’ boosts warming.” BBC News, 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-49567197
PDF Copy of the Presentation Slides 9 July 2024
The slides from the Kiama Responsible Future event are displayed below for your personal research.