COWRIE (Collaborative offshore wind research into the enviroment)
COWRIE is established
COWRIE was first established in 2001 by The Crown Estate as part of the procedures for the award of the UK first round of offshore windfarm development. Recognising that little was known about the potential environmental impacts of offshore windfarm development COWRIE was set up as a trust fund with the main aim "to conduct generic environmental research into the potential impacts of offshore windfarm development". The funding available to COWRIE comprised the interest accruing on the financial deposits made as part of The Crown Estate's pre-qualification process and procedures. To identify the priority research requirements and put together a research programme COWRIE formed a Steering Group comprising specialists from relevant Government Departments, statutory nature conservation advisors, a non-governmental organisation, the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) and industry experts. This Group was Chaired by Dr Carolyn Heeps from The Crown Estate which also provided administrative support and the tendering and contracting process on behalf of COWRIE.
COWRIE was seen as a unique and innovative approach to research because it has industry participation. The Group has been responsible for all aspects of the research programme including:
- identifying the research requirements
- drawing up project specifications for tender
- interviewing and selecting successful contractors
- monitoring project progress and delivery
- reviewing final documents and outputs
- disseminating results and sharing best practice
Publication of COWRIE work programme and results
COWRIE places great emphasis on making its work accessible to all with an interest in offshore windfarm development. This means that all notes of COWRIE meetings are made available along with all research reports and project outputs. The research studies are already providing improved understanding of the potential impacts of offshore windfarm development whilst the main outputs are guidance and best practice aimed at industry to ensure that any impacts are minimised.
To date COWRIE 1 has allocated over £450,000 to a total of six priority research projects. Five of the projects will be completed by the end of 2005, the remaining project, relating to the potential impacts of underwater noise and vibration is due for completion in 2007.
COWRIE 1 has been successful because of the active participation of the Steering Group members in all aspects of the administration of the work programme.
COWRIE 1 provides first opportunity for a coherent research programme for UK offshore wind energy
Dissemination, promotion and raising the profile
With its main aim to increase our understanding of the potential impacts of development COWRIE has taken every opportunity to disseminate its achievements This has been achieved through publication of the results and presentations at key conferences. COWRIE has been a regular contributor to the national conferences and seminars organised by BWEA, individual consultants have presented papers on the COWRIE research projects at more specialist conferences and articles have been contributed to a variety of popular journals and publications. As a result COWRIE has achieved wide recognition throughout the offshore wind energy sector.
