Annex IV will increase our understanding of the environmental effects of ocean wave, tidal, and current energy development on the marine environment. Depending on the extent of information available, examples of environmental impacts for potential consideration may include impacts to benthic organisms, fish, marine mammals, birds, sediment transport and coastal processes, multiple uses, visual impacts, social impacts and economics, among others. Before analysis begins, Annex members will determine which impacts should be included to ensure that efforts are focused on priority needs.

The Annex will facilitate efficient government oversight of the development of ocean energy systems by expanding our baseline knowledge of environmental effects and monitoring methods. One of the primary goals of the Annex is to ensure that existing information and data on environmental monitoring (and, to the extent possible, practices for environmental mitigation) are more widely accessible to those in the industry; national, state, and regional governments; and the public. The Annex will facilitate knowledge and information transfer. The database and the final report will be made publicly available. Annex participants will compile and assess information from existing and proposed environmental monitoring studies. Monitoring protocols and results will be documented in a prescribed report format and lessons learned regarding monitoring methods will be identified. If monitoring has revealed viable practices for mitigating environmental effects, those practices will be reported.

The Annex will culminate in an accessible and searchable database, an expert’s workshop, and a comprehensive summary report that will be published by the OES-IA. The report will present all relevant information gathered, provide critical analysis on monitoring efforts and mitigation, and provide guidance to international ocean energy stakeholders including policymakers, developers, regulators, agencies, academic institutions, and research organizations. Greater understanding of the environmental effects and monitoring methods related to ocean energy will foster public acceptance and help to advance ocean energy technology.  

Year 1 (2009):

Identify potential environmental effects of ocean wave, tidal, and current energy systems; compile existing monitoring information and identify high priority information gaps; design and develop database; and begin to enter data.

Specific tasks include:

(a) Identify and review valuable existing syntheses addressing ocean wave, tidal, or current energy systems;

(b) Based on existing syntheses, assemble a master list of potential environmental effects, related monitoring methods, and (if possible) mitigation strategies;

(c) Design and develop the database and input data on environmental effects, monitoring methods, and (if possible) mitigation strategies; and

(d) Identify and prioritize crucial information gaps related to monitoring methods and environmental impacts, and select higher priority gaps for further evaluation using analogous technologies.

Year 2 (2010):
Develop a standard data format; identify, select, and compile into the database case study information; and research analogous technologies (analogues) for additional information.

In an effort to better understand the current state of ocean energy systems and associated environmental challenges, existing projects conducting environmental monitoring studies will be identified, selected, and reviewed by participating countries. These environmental case study reports will detail the specific methods and findings of each project with particular emphasis on identifying potential environmental impacts, environmental monitoring methodologies, and mitigation efforts. Cooperation from project developers may be a critical component in this task in order to obtain the information necessary to carry out the proper analysis. The Annex Participants will work closely with identified project managers or developers and only request information needed to complete the case studies analysis.

Specific tasks include:

(e) Develop a standard format for reporting case study information, which may include, for example, the following fields: type and location of project, device monitored, generating capacity, power source, water depth, special environmental issue of concern, planned duration of monitoring efforts, frequency and timing of monitoring, measurement strategy and technology, estimated project cost, monitoring cost and funding source, relevant findings, and strengths and weaknesses of monitoring approaches and mitigation efforts.

(f) Identify projects where ocean wave, tidal, or current energy devices are operational and for which environmental monitoring has been or is being undertaken or is planned. Select case studies to be reviewed.

(g) Compile and submit case study reports to operating agent.

(h) For priority information gaps, participating nations select analogue monitoring and mitigation methods that can be used to help evaluate the environmental effects of ocean wave, tidal, and current energy systems (e.g., from wind, aquaculture, ocean thermal energy technology, electric or telecommunications sub-sea cables, etc.).

(i) Enter case study and analogue information into the database and distribute for review by all Annex participants.

Year 3 (2011):
Final analysis of all information and case studies; completion of preliminary, draft, and final reports; experts workshop; distribution of final report and database on internet website.

The Annex IV report will compile all information and analysis from Years 1-3. It will highlight potential environmental effects, describe case studies, identify monitoring and mitigation strategies, and discuss lessons learned. The Final Annex Report will be completed at the end of Year 3. Comments from Annex participants and workshop participants will be incorporated.

Specific tasks include:

(j) Analyze the synthesis data, case study data, and analogue information and prepare a preliminary report for initial review including a summary of the database information and any lessons learned and best practices for monitoring and mitigating environmental effects of ocean wave, current, and tidal energy devices.

(k) Solicit comments on the preliminary report and hold an experts’ workshop (including participating nations and other experts) to discuss the preliminary findings.

(l) Incorporate workshop and written comments into a draft report and distribute the draft report for review by participating nations.

(m) Finalize Annex IV Report, including characterization of the environmental effects of ocean wave, tidal, and current systems; identification of successful monitoring methods and mitigation strategies; and a description of any lessons learned and best practices (where possible).

(n) Post final report and database to the internet, and link the final Annex IV database to other ocean energy databases.  

Annex Participants, including the Operating Agent, will be required to contribute €5,000 per year for each of the three years of the Annex.

2009 - 2011