Offshore wind farms provide a unique opportunity to combine fossil-free energy production with improved marine environmental monitoring. In a new article in Altinget, researchers from Department of Ecoscience at Aarhus University point out how these energy infrastructures can also be used as platforms for collecting important environmental data.

By equipping wind farm platforms with sensors and other monitoring equipment, it is possible to continuously collect high-resolution data on water quality, biodiversity, and ecosystem dynamics. This can help strengthen the national monitoring program (NOVANA) and support more targeted efforts to improve the state of the Danish marine environment.

The researchers advocate for making environmental monitoring a mandatory component in tenders for future wind farms, to promote industry-wide adoption, ensure standardized methodologies, and guarantee open access to data in support of national marine protection efforts.

Read the full article on Altinget