Satellite data for the offshore renewable energy sector: Synergies and innovation opportunities

• Published in: Remote sensing of environment 2021-10, Vol.264, p.112588, Article 112588
• Main Authors: Medina-Lopez, E., McMillan, D., Lazic, J., Hart, E., Zen, S., Angeloudis, A., Bannon, E., Browell, J., Dorling, S., Dorrell, R.M., Forster, R., Old, C., Payne, G.S., Porter, G., Rabaneda, A.S., Sellar, B., Tapoglou, E., Trifonova, N., Woodhouse, I.H., Zampollo, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Birds; Data processing; Energy; Energy industry; Energy technology; Engineering Sciences; Environmental impact; Environmental monitoring; Farms; Fisheries; Habitat changes; Innovations; Measurement techniques; Monitoring instruments; Oceans; Offshore; Offshore operations; Offshore renewable energy (ORE); Renewable energy; Renewable resources; SAR; Satellite data; Satellite observation; Satellite technology; Satellite-borne instruments; Satellites; Sustainable ORE sector; Tidal; Tidal energy; Wave; Wave energy; Wave power; Wind
• ISSN: 0034-4257; 1879-0704
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rse.2021.112588

Can satellite data be used to address challenges currently faced by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) sector? What benefit can satellite observations bring to resource assessment and maintenance of ORE farms? Can satellite observations be used to assess the environmental impact of offshore renewables leading towards a more sustainable ORE sector? This review paper faces these questions presenting a holistic view of the current interactions between satellite and ORE sectors, and future needs to make this partnership grow. The aim of the work is to start the conversation between these sectors by establishing a common ground. We present offshore needs and satellite technology limitations, as well as potential opportunities and areas of growth. To better understand this, the reader is guided through the history, current developments, challenges and future of offshore wind, tidal and wave energy technologies. Then, an overview on satellite observations for ocean applications is given, covering types of instruments and how they are used to provide different metocean variables, satellite performance, and data processing and integration. Past, present and future satellite missions are also discussed. Finally, the paper focuses on innovation opportunities and the potential of synergies between the ORE and satellite sectors. Specifically, we pay attention to improvements that satellite observations could bring to standard measurement techniques: assessing uncertainty, wind, tidal and wave conditions forecast, as well as environmental monitoring from space. Satellite–enabled measurement of ocean physical processes and applications for fisheries, mammals and birds, and habitat change, are also discussed in depth. •Satellite imagery has potential to solve key challenges in offshore renewables.•Links between satellite and offshore renewable sectors are not well established.•Environmental impact and resource assessment are crucial areas for satellite uptake.•Reduced uncertainty by using satellite products can reduce cost of marine energy.