Juan Bald

• PhD in Biological Sciences
• Head of Department at AZTI

This dataset provides 28 years of environmental monitoring data (1995–2023) from 51 stations in the estuaries and coastal areas of the Basque Country in the Bay of Biscay. Covering 130 variables across water, sediments, and biota, it includes detailed records of phytoplankton, macroalgae, macroinvertebrates, and fish. Compiled in collaboration with...

This deliverable contains the methodology and results from Task 3.2 of SafeWAVE project (Acoustic Modelling), which essentially is about the modelling of underwater sound propagation with the results obtained in Task 2.3 Acoustic Monitoring. For the project, 4 WEC systems in 4 different test sites were studied. The 4 locations were: Aguçadoura (Por...

Seagrasses have declined worldwide at accelerated rates mainly due to human pressures. Moreover, climate change (e.g. sea level rise) and consequent effects, increase uncertainty about the future evolution of seagrass spatial distribution and biomass. Among other adaptive measures, habitat conservation and restoration can help to adapt and mitigate...

In this report, the conclusions drawn from the modelling performed in WP3, as well as the main GAPs encountered, are presented. • Electromagnetic fields (EMF): No significative EMF disturbances related to the device’s operation are found from the simulations. This suggests a low likelihood of EMF interference with marine life or navigational syste...

The present deliverable aims to describe and explain the data pathway, from the monitoring plan specification phase to the final report, in order to better evaluate impacts of wave energy on the environment. To obtain high quality results, each step of the data pathway requires a specific attention. Quality results are built on scientifically rob...

Marine data are collected by different entities (institutes, governmental organizations, or private companies) using heterogeneous instruments and sensors installed in various observing platforms. However, apart from researchers’ experience reported in technical reports and published papers worldwide, it seems that no specific guidelines are availa...

The development of an Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) sector is increasingly becoming one of the key low-carbon energy solutions for coastal nations in their drive to tackle both the impacts of a changing climate and to provide energy security in the face of these global challenges. While certainty about the impacts of the devices is some way off,...

This deliverable contains the methodology and results from Task 2.3 of SafeWAVE project (Acoustic Monitoring), which essentially is about the acquisition of acoustic, sea state and operational data in four wave energy converter (WEC) prototype test sites. Monitoring campaigns were carried out during non-operation and operational regimes, in order t...

The SafeWAVE project aims to improve the knowledge on the potential environmental impacts from Wave Energy (WE) projects. In the project scope, Work Package 3 aims to model environmental data related to: i) Electromagnetic Fields, ii) Sound propagation and iii) Marine dynamics. This deliverable reports the works of Task 3.1 related to the modelli...

The present document describes the updated version of MARENDATA Data Platform (https://marendata.eu/), within the SafeWAVE project. MARENDATA is designed to present marine renewable energy industry with resource and impact assessment related information instantaneously in a format suitable for technical and non-technical audiences. It integrates da...

The present document describes the updated version of MARENDATA Data Platform (https://marendata.eu/), within the SafeWAVE project. MARENDATA is designed to present marine renewable energy industry with resource and impact assessment related information instantaneously in a format suitable for technical and non-technical audiences. It integrates da...

The present document addresses the topic of a wider use of https://MARENDATA.EU (MARENDATA), beyond the framework of the SeaWAVE project. The vision for the MARENDATA platform is based on two core principles: the renewable energy industry requires complex environmental information to address the challenges of harnessing energy from the marine envir...

One of the objectives of the European Green Deal is to increase the share of renewable energy sources in the EU's energy mix. Among other energy resources, renewable energy from the seas is a cornerstone of the clean energy transition, especially offshore wind, and ocean energy. Achieving the renewable energy production objectives will necessitat...

SafeWAVE Deliverable 7.5, ‘Tailored Ocean Literacy Programmes Focusing on Wave Energy’, uses the framework developed in Deliverable 7.4 to organise an approach for creating education and public engagement (EPE) programmes that are tailored to the specific circumstances in each of the communities of the project’s four member countries – France, Irel...

Despite the benefits of marine renewable energies (MRE) to the decarbonisation, public opposition has often been posed to MRE projects. This opposition is one of the reasons slowing down Europe´s energy transition towards clean energies. Aside from one wave energy production farm operating in Europe, other developments are still at pilot or prototy...

The need to harness the vast energy resources of the oceans has led to a significant increase in the design, testing and deployment of novel technologies for Marine Renewable Energy (MRE). However, growth in this area has been slowed in part by several non-technological challenges, among them the ability to gain permissions to test and deploy insta...

The European Atlantic Ocean offers a high potential for marine renewable energy (MRE), which is targeted to be at least 32% of the EU’s gross final consumption by 2030. The European Commission is supporting the development of the ocean energy sector through an array of activities and policies: the Green Deal, the Energy Union, the Strategic Energy...

In 2022, the European Commission adopted the REPower EU package which proposes to further increase the 2030 target for renewables from 40 % to 45 % and revise the Renewable Energy Directive to accelerate permitting. Moreover, the European Offshore Renewable Energy Strategy estimates to have an installed capacity of at least 60 GW of offshore wind a...

As most nations around the world commit to decarbonize their economies, the electrification of many sectors is an ongoing trend that will only strengthen in the next years. The energy demands for this transition are considerable, and renewable energies are being pushed to substitute fossil-fuel technologies with great urge.While marine renewable en...

The ocean energy development is one of the main pillars of the EU Blue Growth strategy. However, while the technological development of devices is growing fast, their potential environmental effects are not well-known. The nascent status of the Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) sector and Wave Energy (WE) in particular, yields many unknowns about its p...

The European Atlantic Ocean offers great opportunities for the development of projects for renewable energy extraction, and the Marine Renewable Energy sector is developing different technologies for energy converters, including Wave Energy Converters. Besides, the European Commission is adopting measures and politics to increase the installed capa...

The current global situation, in a climate change context, urges to find new ways to capture energy with low greenhouse gas emissions. In this sense, ocean energy can positively contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by producing clean energy. The main purpose of the work is to; i) validate the current wave propagation model at BI...

The SafeWAVE project aims to improve the knowledge on the potential environmental impacts from Wave Energy (WE) projects. In the project scope, Work Package 2 aims to collect, process, analyse, and share environmental data related to four priority areas of research: i) Electromagnetic Fields (EMF), ii) Acoustics (noise), iii) Seafloor integrity, an...

The development of a Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) sector is increasingly becoming one of the key low-carbon energy solutions for coastal nations in their drive both to tackle the impacts of a changing climate and to provide energy security in the face of this global challenge. While MRE development has led to significant growth in the design, test...

In response to the EU Blue Growth strategy, the technology behind devices that collect and transform the marine energy is evolving in leaps and bounds. However, the potential environmental impacts derived from the installation, operation and decommissioning of such devices are not yet fully known. Hence, the main aim of the SafeWAVE project is to...

The ocean energy development is one of the main pillars of the EU Blue Growth strategy. However, while the technological development of devices is growing fast, their potential environmental effects are not well-known. The SafeWAVE project aims to improve the knowledge on the potential environmental impacts from Wave Energy projects. In the projec...

Funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and launched in November 2018, the WESE-Wave Energy in Southern Europe project aims to improve the current knowledge on environmental impacts of Wave Energy (WE projects) reducing uncertainty in modelling potential impacts of future wave energy large scale devices deployments to better infor...

The present report describes the process undertaken during the development of a model for the identification of suitable areas for the development of wave energy projects in the European Atlantic in the context of maritime spatial planning and its implementation into a web-based Decision Support Tool. The approach implemented is based on the previo...

Offshore wind energy is widely regarded as one of the most credible sources for increasing renewable energy production towards a resilient and decarbonised energy supply. However, current expectations for the expansion of energy production from offshore wind may lead to significant environmental impacts. Assessing ecological risks to marine ecosys...

Effective planning and management strategies of the Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) stock in Arcachon Bay rely on a co-management approach, involving scientific advice and the fishing industry. In order to strengthen this management process, a specific compartmental single-species model has been developed to assess different management strate...

In the context of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, 2008/56/EC), Member States are required to assess the environmental status of marine waters. With the aim to support practitioners in this effort, and guide them in the identification of management solutions, a team of researchers has brought together available information fo...

This deliverable (7.4) focuses on creating a framework for the development and implementation of education and public engagement (EPE) programs. To accomplish this task, we begin by developing a generic framework that is applicable to any type of EPE program. Owing to the general nature of such an endeavour, our methodology rests primarily on a fou...

The production of energy from waves is gaining attention. In its expansion strategy, technical, environmental and socioeconomic aspects should be taken into account to identify suitable areas for development of wave energy projects. In this research we provide a novel approach for suitable site identification for wave energy farms. To achieve this...

The emerging marine renewable energy (MRE) industry, also known as ocean energy (mostly wave and tidal energy), yields many unknowns about its potential environmental pressures and impacts. Wave energy converters (WECs) are still perceived by regulators and other stakeholders as risky, particularly for some groups of species and habitats. In many c...

of the consenting process for ocean energy projects in Spain (left) and Portugal (right). Taken from Simas et al., 2015. Review of consenting processes for ocean energy in selected European Union Member States. International Journal of Marine Energy, 9: (0): 41-59. Wave Energy in the Southern Europe (WESE) Funded by the European Maritime and Fisher...

The ocean energy development is one of the main pillars of the EU Blue Growth strategy. However, while the technological development of devices is growing fast, their potential environmental effects are not well-known. In the WESE project scope, Work Package 2 aims to collect, process, analyse and share environmental data (Electromagnetic fields, A...

The main objective of WP5 is the identification of the most suitable areas for the development and deploying of wave energy projects in the Portuguese and Spanish Atlantic area. Suitability maps contribute to a more efficient planning of future wave energy deployments. For that purpose, in a first phase publicly available information that could be...

The WP4 was focused on the development of an efficient guidance for planning and consenting procedures in Spain and Portugal for marine energy projects on environmental real risks and reduce environmental consenting uncertainty by integrating a Risk Based Approach. For that purpose, the first task included the identification of national Spanish and...

Marine data are collected by different entities (institutes, governmental organizations, or private companies) using heterogeneous instruments and sensors installed in various observing platforms. However, apart from researchers’ experience reported in technical reports and published papers worldwide, it seems that no specific guidelines are availa...

WESE is a project funded under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund focusing on how to overcome the non-technological barriers related with Wave Energy projects, specifically by carrying out environmental monitoring activities around wave energy converters (WECs) operating at sea, to improve knowledge on environmental pressures and impacts and...

The present deliverable identifies the information and data sources of relevance for the identification of suitable areas for the establishment of WE projects in the European Atlantic region, which considers the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of Portugal, Spain, Ireland and UK. The aim of the present deliverable is the collation of the most relevan...

In the WESE project scope, Work Package 3 aims to model electromagnetic and acoustic fields, as well as marine dynamics, in sites where Wave Energy Converters (WEC) are operating in real sea conditions in Spanish and Portuguese coastal waters, representing different types of technology, sites and, therefore, types of marine environments (onshore, n...

In the WESE project scope, Work Package 2 aims to collect, process, analyse and share environmental data collected in sites where Wave Energy Converters (WEC) are operating in real sea conditions in Spanish and Portuguese coastal waters, representing different types of technology, sites and, therefore, types of marine environment (onshore, nearshor...

In the context of European WESE project, this presentation includes the main outputs of the analysis and improvement of the consenting process for the Wave Energy Projects in Spain and in Portugal

In the context of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD 2008/56/EC), a multidisciplinary study was carried out, with researchers from different disciplines, bringing together solutions for management practitioners in the Basque coastal zone (SE part of the Bay of Biscay). This area was selected as case-study and divided into Marine Reportin...

Maritime activities included as Blue Economy sectors should be performed in a sustainable way. Marine (or Maritime) Spatial Planning (MSP) approach intends to facilitate space for new activities overcoming the potential competition and conflicts between ocean energy sector and other marine users. The objectives of the research were: Provide a nove...

The environmental impacts of wave energy converters are still largely unknown, being a barrier that could hinder their deployment. The objective of the present work was the development of a framework and a tool for quantifying and analysing the ecological risks of three technologies: oscillating water columns, oscillating wave surge converters, an...

In the context of European WESE project, the poster includes the main outputs in relation to analysis and improvement of the consenting proccess for wave energy project in Spain and in Portugal

Despite the clear benefits of marine renewable energies (MRE), opposition has often been posed to MRE development projects. This opposition has hindered and even slowed down the process to Europe´s energy transition towards clean energies. Wave energy is, with a bit more than two decades of modern history, at an early stage of development. So far,...

Marine renewable energy has considerable potential for enhancing the diversity of renewable sources, to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and combat climate change. While the technological development of wave energy converters is progressing rapidly, their environmental impacts are still largely unknown, which is a barrier that could hinder their...

Galparsoro, I., Á. Borja, I. Menchaca, J. Franco, M. C. Uyarra, A. Uriarte, G. Chust y J. Bald, 2020. Elaboración del diagnóstico sobre el medio marino e identificación de líneas de trabajo futuras para la Estrategia de Biodiversidad de la CAPV 2030. Informe elaborado por AZTI para Ihobe. 96 pp + Anexos.

The ocean energy development is one of the main pillars of the EU Blue Growth strategy. However, while the technological development of devices is growing fast, their potential environmental effects are not well-known. The SafeWAVE project aims to improve the knowledge on the potential environmental impacts from Wave Energy projects. In the project...

The WP3 of the WESE project aimed to develop strategic research to address gaps in knowledge to improve modelling of potential cumulative pressures and environmental impacts of future WE deployments at larger scale. This deliverable reports the works of Task 3.1, aimed to investigate the EMF emitted by subsea power cables. The main goal of Task 3....

Currently, although environmental risks associated with the deployment and operation of single MRE devices are very low, the uncertainties associated with commercial arrays will require investigation as larger arrays are deployed. A risk-based approach to survey and consenting is an element of Adaptive Management (AM), which in turn is a structure...

The need of slowing down the global temperature increase due to climate change, has resulted in the search of new strategies to capture energy with low greenhouse gas emissions. In this line, ocean energy can both contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and foster economic growth in coastal areas (Magagna and Uihlein, 2015). While...

Consenting is an important part of any ocean energy project. Due to a reduced number of devices at sea, lack of details about the potential impact to marine environment lead to cautious approaches on risk assessment. This can slow down consenting and delay or even prevent the deployment. Multiple, often simple, solutions could significantly improve...

As summarized in the Deliverable 2.1 (Vinagre et al., 2019)1, the Work Package 2 of the WESE project aims to collect, process, analyse and share the environmental data in three areas affected by different types of wave energy projects, i.e.: (1) oscillating water column device deployed offshore – MARMOK-A-5 developed by IDOM – in the Biscay Mar...

As summarized in the Deliverable 2.1 (Vinagre et al., 2019) , the Work Package 2 of the WESE project aims to collect, process, analyse and share the environmental data in three areas affected by different types of wave energy projects, i.e.: (1) oscillating water column device deployed offshore – MARMOK-A-5 developed by IDOM – in the Biscay Marine...

A Decision Support Tool (DST) for the identification of the most feasible areas for wave energy projects in the context of maritime spatial planning (MSP), has been developed and implemented. The DST is based on a conceptual model which considers the main environmental, technical, and socio-economic factors that could influence the suitability for...

In a new industry such as MRE, there may be interactions between devices and marine animals or habitats that regulators or stakeholders perceive as risky. In many instances, this perception of risk is due to the high degree of uncertainty that results from a paucity of data collected in the ocean. Because of this uncertainty, regulators continue to...

Consenting and environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedures are two of the major non-technical barriers to the further expansion of offshore renewable energy (ORE). Risk-based consenting of offshore renewable energy (RiCORE) is a Horizon 2020 funded project which aims to promote the successful development of ORE in the European Union by develop...

The present deliverable describes the information that could be of relevance for the assessment of suitable areas for the establishment of wave energy convertors facilities in Portugal and Spain. The aim of the identification of such information is to contribute as background information to the identification of the most suitable areas for the deve...

As part of the Data Platform development it is crucial to define the types of secondary data (results, reports and post-processed primary data) and how they are to be generated and delivered to the user by the platform. This document presents a list of secondary data, divided by work packages and their respective processing steps to be implemented...

Data measured by project partners must be structured for dissemination purposes and to ensure transferability with existing data platforms, such as, European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet), Pan-European infrastructure for ocean & marine data management (SeaDataNet) and Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS). As the...

The present document provides a framework for a Data Platform and Data Management within the WESE project. This document follows some of the concepts of the H2020 programme, adapted to the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), which is the major funding source of WESE. Environmental data will be collected in sites where devices are operatin...

Efecto de la densidad en el crecimiento y mortalidad de la ostra japonesa Crassostrea gigas cultivada en aguas de la costa vasca (SE del Golfo de Bizkaia)

This report provides an overview of the state of affairs (1) with regards to the deployment of wet renewables and (2) marine energy storage systems; (3) how they affect abiotic and biotic compo-nents of the marine ecosystem and (4) developments and concepts on cumulative impact assess-ments related to marine renewable energy devices and (5) future...

This report provides an overview of the state of affairs (1) with regards to the deployment of wet renewables and (2) marine energy storage systems; (3) how they affect abiotic and biotic compo-nents of the marine ecosystem and (4) developments and concepts on cumulative impact assess-ments related to marine renewable energy devices and (5) future...

In the WESE project scope, Work Package 2 aims to collect, process, analyse and share environmental data collected in sites where Wave Energy Converters (WEC) are operating in real sea conditions in Spanish and Portuguese coastal waters, representing different types of technology, sites and, therefore, types of marine environment (onshore, nearshor...

The present deliverable analyses the list of national Spanish and Portuguese key stakeholders contacts that has been identified and classified. The stakeholders’ database includes project developers and promoters (license applicants and specialist consultants), policy makers and regulators, consenting and surveying service providers (including tech...

In the WESE project scope, Work Package 2 aims to collect, process, analyse and share environmental data collected in sites where Wave Energy Converters (WEC) are operating in real sea conditions in Spanish and Portuguese coastal waters, representing different types of technology, sites and, therefore, types of marine environment (onshore, nearshor...

On the 25th of June 2018, the European Commission has selected two new projects on clean ocean energy for funding under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). While the first tidal farms in European waters are being deployed and more and more devices are being tested in water, the idea of obtaining clean energy through the oceans' waves i...

Demand for renewable energy is increasing steadily and regulated by national and international policies. Offshore wind energy sector has been clearly the fastest in its development among other options, and development of new wind farms requires large ocean space. Therefore, there is a need of efficient spatial planning process, including the site s...

On the 25th of June 2018, the European Commission has selected two new projects on clean ocean energy for funding under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). While the first tidal farms in European waters are being deployed and more and more devices are being tested in water, the idea of obtaining clean energy through the oceans' waves i...

The Mutriku Oscillating Water Column (OWC) Plant is an onshore infrastructure for wave energy harnessing promoted by the Basque Entity of Energy (Ente Vasco de la Energía, EVE). The facility is housed within a breakwater at the port of Mutriku (Basque Country, Northern Spain) and opened in July 2011. The plant consists of 16 turbines giving a total...

Environmental data produced throughout monitoring activities in the framework of the implementation of Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC (WFD) in Eastern Mediterranean (Greece) were used to assess the sensitivity and response of ecological indices against trace metals, eutrophication and multiple stress factors. The applied ecological indices in...

Using a long-term (1995–2014) monitoring network, from 51 sampling stations in estuaries and coasts of the Basque Country (Bay of Biscay), the objective of this investigation was to assess the responsiveness of 83 variables in water (18), sediments (27), biota (26), phytoplankton (2), macroinvertebrates (5) and fishes (5) to different human pressur...

This report summarizes the state of the science of interactions and effects of marine renewable energy (MRE) devices on the marine environment, the animals that live there, and the habitats that support them. This report was produced by the Annex IV Initiative, under the Ocean Energy Systems (OES) collaboration. Thirteen OES countries have joined t...