Presentation of DemoSATH Lab initiatives to WFO members

On Tuesday, May 13th, Lucía Eggers — environmental consultant at Saitec and part of the DemoSATH Lab environmental team — delivered an exclusive presentation for the leading global business platform for the offshore wind industry, World Forum Offshore Wind (WFO) members titled: “Towards Responsible Offshore Wind: Reducing Impact, Enhancing Biodiversity and Promoting Cohabitation.”

The session provided an in-depth overview of the initiatives carried out over the past 18 months around DemoSATH, the first floating offshore wind unit connected to the grid in Spain, located off the coast of the Basque Country and powered by SATH Technology.

Facilitate and demonstrate the coexistence of offshore wind with other uses at sea ​

One of the key priorities at DemoSATH Lab is to ensure harmonious coexistence between offshore wind infrastructure and traditional maritime activities. Through careful spatial planning, the floating wind park layout has been specifically designed to allow safe navigation for fishing vessels, recreational boats, and coastal tour operators. Navigation routes are integrated into the layout, with only minimal exclusion zones in place—strictly limited to areas required for operational safety.

In parallel, DemoSATH is actively exploring the integration of aquaculture within floating wind environments. A pilot initiative is underway involving the use of suspended collection ropes to study the fixation and growth of species with commercial value, such as flat oysters (Ostrea edulis), blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), red algae (Gelidium corneum), sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca), and slug clams (Ruditapes decussatus).

These projects are being developed in close collaboration with local fishers, community stakeholders, and scientific institutions to encourage knowledge-sharing, build trust, and foster public acceptance of offshore renewable energy as a shared-use resource.

Promoting and demonstrating biodiversity and fishery resources in offshore wind farms​

DemoSATH integrates nature-based solutions (NbS) to enhance marine biodiversity in and around the floating wind platform. A notable innovation is the SATH Reef Unit, a structure created from repurposed sections of decommissioned wind turbine blades. This reef serves multiple ecological functions: it provides shelter and feeding zones for marine life, acts as a breeding area, and offers substrate for sessile species to attach and grow. Future designs are also exploring how these units can double as protective cable coverings.

In addition to this, the platform is being used for barnacle (percebe) cultivation, with specialized blocks mounted on the structure to test growth potential in offshore conditions.

These biodiversity-enhancing measures help position DemoSATH as a model for eco-friendly offshore wind development.

Reducing the environmental impact of floating wind

A strong emphasis is placed on monitoring and minimizing the environmental footprint of the DemoSATH unit. Marine biodiversity around the site is continuously assessed through visual surveys conducted with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and pole-mounted underwater cameras. These efforts are complemented by environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, a non-invasive technique that uses genetic material found in water samples to identify the presence and diversity of marine species.

Initial results are promising, indicating increased species presence and a healthy ecological response around the platform.

Monitoring also extends above the waterline. A DTBird system—equipped with visual and infrared cameras, detection algorithms, deterrence mechanisms, and automated stop protocols—has been installed to study and protect seabirds. So far, seagulls have been observed using the platform as a resting area. These automated tools are backed by fieldwork, including fortnightly seabird surveys conducted since 2016 in collaboration with BiMEP and using observation points located two miles offshore.

In addition, DemoSATH is equipped for bat monitoring, using ultrasonic recorders and visual surveillance. Data show peak bat activity in September, with detection patterns seemingly influenced by wind direction.

These insights are crucial for ensuring that the development of floating wind farms remains safe for aerial wildlife.

On the acoustic front, a comprehensive noise impact assessment is in progress. Three hydrophone lines have been deployed to record underwater noise across multiple campaigns, while airborne sound is monitored continuously via a microphone placed at the turbine base. These efforts aim to understand the effects of operational noise on marine mammals and other sensitive species in the area.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Floating Wind Parks

To fully understand the environmental footprint of floating offshore wind technology, a detailed Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has been carried out for DemoSATH. This analysis spans the entire lifecycle—from material sourcing and construction to energy production and decommissioning.

The LCA evaluates:

• Total CO₂ emissions at each stage of the project lifecycle
• The environmental impact of materials used in SATH-type concrete platforms
• Comparative results across different project scenarios
• Benchmarking against other floating and fixed-bottom offshore wind technologies

These findings are essential for guiding future decisions and ensuring the long-term sustainability of floating wind solutions as they scale globally.

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