Our Credentials

RENEWABLES: OUR CREDENTIALS
Here at SRSL, we have built up an extensive track record in the renewables sector (see below), by delivering independent and high-quality environmental services, underpinned by cutting-edge research. Our services are necessary to facilitate the sustainable development of marine renewable energy generation in Scotland.

Wide-ranging expertise and professionalism makes SRSL preferred suppliers to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), through acceptance onto the two following Framework Agreements:

• Framework Agreement for the Provision of Renewables Research and Technical Advice (DECC) 2010-
• Framework Agreement for the Provision of Specialist Advice on the Interactions between Renewable Energy Devices and Marine Mammals and Basking Sharks (SNH), 2010-

Our staff play a key role in shaping new policy and best practice guidelines as they relate to the consenting process for developers. In this respect, SAMS is a partner in the European Commission 7th Framework programme project EquiMar. SAMS’ role in this project is to develop a common framework regarding Environmental Impact Assessment issues to establish best practice protocol for the wave and tidal energy sectors.


SELECTED PROJECTS

• INIS Hydro; Bathymetric Survey Program of Renewable Energy Interest Sites off the West Coast of Scotland (European Union INTERREG), with the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Northern Lighthouse Board,  2011-
• Vessel Charter for the Argyll Array Offshore Windfarm Bird Surveys (Scottish Power Renewables) 2011-
• EIA Services (monthly Bird and Marine Mammal Surveys) in the Sound of Islay (DP Energy) 2009 - ongoing
• Consultancy Services for Artificial Reef Effects of Offshore Wind Turbine Base in the Sound of Islay (Scottish Power Renewables) 2010/11
• Consultancy Services for Biofouling on Offshore Structures (British Petroleum) 2010-11
• Underwater Noise Acoustic Characterisation Turbine Operations Vessel at the European Marine Energy Centre, EMEC (OpenHydro) 2010
• Underwater Noise Acoustic Characterisation survey of Dynamic Positioning Vessel at EMEC (Voith Hydro) 2010
• Underwater Noise Acoustic Characterisation survey of the Sound of Islay (Marine Scotland) 2009
• Policy Report on Social and Economic Objectives for a Scottish Marine Plan (Marine Scotland) 2009
• Making the Case for Sound Management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) 2009 (Environment LINK).
• Investigating the Availability of Remotely Sensed Data for Scotland’s Seas Based on Current and Emerging Technology, Report (Scottish Environmental Protection Agency) 2009/10

THE SCOTTISH CONTEXT
Global energy demands continue to increase while fossil fuel reserves are limited and their consumption is linked to climate change.

Governments worldwide are thus setting increasingly challenging targets to reduce fossil fuel consumption and to increase the generation of energy from renewable sources both for electricity and transport fuel: The UK is committed to cutting its carbon emissions by 34% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. This involves a commitment to increase renewable energy seven-fold, so that15% of all energy needs will be met by renewable sources by 2020.

The marine environment offers numerous opportunities from exploiting wind, waves and tides to harnessing the intense productivity of marine plants. SRSL is based at the Scottish Marine Institute on the west coast of Scotland, a world-leader in the Renewables market. This is partly because Scotland has an estimated potential of 36.5 GW of wind and 7.5 GW of tidal power, and up to 14 GW of wave power potential, which equals 10% of the EU capacity! SRSL operate at the heart of a rapidly expanding market, whilst being located at the centre of an area set to receive huge investment. We pride ourselves on being responsive, agile and close to the action!