Task 34 Work Plan and Objectives

Task 34 Work Plan


t34.jpgConcerns about environmental effects of wind energy continue to challenge the wide-scale deployment of land-based and offshore wind projects. WREN is the leading international forum for exchanging and disseminating up-to-date, science-based research and methods with which to assess and monitor the environmental effects of wind energy development.

Task 34 compiles and assesses information from existing and proposed studies conducted by member and nonmember countries, as well as other information that is publicly available. Efforts that contribute to resolving conflict will continue to be pursued. These efforts include identifying the conflicts, the barriers, and strategies that are being adopted to resolve barriers.

The primary objective of WREN is to facilitate international collaboration to advance the global understanding of environmental effects of offshore and land-based wind energy development. Through the work packages in WREN, member representatives will contribute to advance the knowledge base to document what is known about the impacts of wind energy technology on wildlife and the environment.



Expected Task 34 WREN Results


  • Continued expansion of international collaboration and knowledge transfer including linking to efforts by other groups dealing with wind energy when appropriate.  Such groups may include, but are not limited to, OSPAR Commission, International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES), and Intergovernmental Fora.
  • Dissemination of scientifically-based information and recommendations to government regulatory organizations, along with the research, wind development, and environmental communities, through a webinar series, development of two-page short science summaries of pertinent research findings, slide decks of relevant information, and other direct outreach approaches.
  • Continued enhancement and maintenance of WREN Hub to facilitate easy access to existing literature and relevant information on the effects of wind development on wildlife and habitats at a global scale.
  • Continued development and publication of white papers that focus on and advance the state of understanding on central issues of global concern within the wind community.

Work Package 1: Development of white papers


Numerous topics are of interest to WREN members but information is not readily available within the existing literature that is useful to meet the member country information needs. 

White papers, which focus and facilitate discussion on and advance the state of understanding of global concerns within the wind community, are key products of WREN.

White paper topics identified during the initial Task term include: adaptive management, individual effects to population-level impacts, cumulative impacts of wind energy on wildlife, environmental trade-offs in decision making, and risk-based management.

See Task 34 Publications

Work Package 2: Expanding WREN Hub


WREN Hub is a centralized location for the collection and access of land-based and offshore wind energy information. This information includes: regulatory structures, environmental effects, effective monitoring practices and strategies for impact avoidance, minimization, mitigation, and compensation, and other relevant information and research being conducted around the world.

Built on the existing Tethys platform (http://tethys.pnnl.gov), WREN Hub serves as a go-to location to facilitate collaboration within the international community on wind-wildlife issues.

In addition to providing access to relevant literature and products developed within WREN, WREN Hub also provides information on key contacts, calendar of events, links to the recorded webinar series, and other information.

Visit WREN Hub

Work Package 3: Short Science Summaries


This effort is a focused outreach strategy, primarily based on the development of short summaries (two-pagers) of key results. Topics will likely include findings as discussed in the white papers and syntheses of science results.

The summaries will be focused on wind and wildlife effects, controversies, and applications or implications for management. These will be available on WREN Hub for distribution to decision makers and other audiences.

The intent of these shorter documents is to facilitate easier access to information and provide brief overviews of key findings. Syntopical briefings will also be developed as appropriate.

The format of these summaries will provide the reader with what is known and what is not known about specific interactions. References used in developing the summaries will be available on WREN Hub.

See Short Science Summaries on WREN Hub

Work Package 4: Outreach and Engagement


Reaching the goals of WREN requires that an active outreach and engagement process be followed.

Based on the outreach and engagement plan, specific audiences and the targeted messages will be identified and specific existing outreach vehicles and products will continue to be deployed. In addition, new products and methods of engaging and reaching audiences will be developed. 

Key existing activities include: the WREN webinar series; Tethys Blasts; Tethys Stories; and presentations by WREN members at key conferences and workshops. An outreach strategy for dissemination of the white papers (WP1) and the two-page summaries (WP3) will be developed and executed.

All WREN members identify opportunities to be ambassadors for WREN, to craft WREN outreach materials for key audiences in their nations, and share opportunities to spread WREN materials and messages internationally.