MaREE: Marine Renewable Energy and the Environment
In support of the development of marine renewable energy in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, the MaREE project explores the environmental and socio-economic issues related to these developments.
The programme seeks to build on existing expertise in marine environmental sciences and the unique resource potential of the region in order to develop an integrated, holistic understanding of the environmental considerations surrounding marine renewable energy development in Scotland.
The MaREE project works towards delivering and sustaining a step-change in capacity and quality in research across the University of the Highlands and Islands partnership and establishing research excellence in niche areas. The partnership between the Environmental Research Institute and the Scottish Marine Institute is based on an integrated collaborative programme across three themes:
- Theme 1: Resource and Risk
- Theme 2: Environmental Impacts
- Theme 3: Towards sustainability management, policy and communities
Researchers from the Scottish Marine Institute are leading the 'Environmental Impacts' theme, which involves assessing potential environmental impacts of marine renewable energy devices on a wide range of species, from benthic invertebrates to marine mammals and seabirds.
For further information please see the main project website.
Project details
- Duration: 2010-2013
- Funders: European Regional Development Fund, Scottish Funding Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise
- Partner: Environmental Research Institute, North Highland College UHI
- Total project value: £4 Million
- Scientific staff: Dr Kenny Black, Dr Steven Benjamins, Dr Ben Wilson, and Dr Tom Adams
- Research students: Zoe Hutchison and John Bainbridge
