Tthe Conclusion of Gorwind project (30.10.2012)
Policy forum "GULF OF RIGA AND WIND ENERGY: PLANNING, POLICY, OPPORTUNITIES"
In October 30, 2012 in Riga and Tallin simultaneously two policy forums took place, gathereing the stakeholders in wind energy production development and sea planning. The participants represented state, non-governmental and private sectors. The Riga forum took place in Republic of Latvia Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, Peldu Street 25.
Presentations of the forum can be viewed below. If you would like to receive a more extensive information about any of the topics reviewed in the presentations, please, contact us via e-mail andra.damberga@lu.lv
The advisory board meeting (21.09.2012)
The final meeting of GORWIND advisory board took place in Pärnu, September 21, 2012. The presentations demonstrated during the meeting (see below) included project results, which were evaluated by AB members. During the meeting all participants were involved in planning the content of policy forum which will take place in October 30, both in Latvia and Estonia.
The 8th progress meeting of the project (04-05.09.2012)
In September 4-5, in Ādaži, Port Hotel, a progress meeting was held to plan the remaining project period and verify the results of work packages. The project booklet was presented and policy forum planned.
Press release (26.06.2012)
University of Latvia and JSC "Latvenergo" will cooperate in the spheres of research and training of the specialists
On June 25 the cooperation agreement was signed by the Rector of the University of Latvia, Prof. Mārcis Auziņš and JSC "Latvenergo" Head of the Board Āris Žīgurs and member of the board Māris Kuņickis. The cooperation agreement states that University of Latvia and AS "Latvenergo" undertake to cooperate in theoretical and practical training of the specialists, research, creating innovative study and work environment, the transfer of knowledge and technologies to the working environment, as well as internship placements for University students.
The agreement was prepared as a result of JSC "Latvenergo" interest regarding the research implemented by University of Latvia Faculty of Physics and Mathematics and Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences. In the framework of Estonia Latvia cross border cooperation programme project "GORWIND: Gulf of Riga as a resource for wind energy" the potential of wind energy production in Gulf of Riga region and the adjoining territories is being scientifically evaluated.
Photos (University of Latvia)
The 7th progress meeting in Pärnu region (25-27.06.2012)
In June 25-27, Pärnu region, a progress meeting was held to agree in detail on the outputs of project overall, and WP4 in particular, which will combine the results of the project in the decision making tool to help the developers in the initial decision-making phase regarding wind park development in Gulf of Riga.
The finalized results of the survey involving inhabitants, local leaders, local government representatives in Latvia and Estonia part of gulf coastal area were presented.
The poster with the content of newly developed GORWIND leaflet for wider public was introduced to project partners by WP1.
Workshop "Wind power in Latvia and the Baltic countries" (15.06.2012)
On June 15, 2012, the representatives of GORWIND project participated in the policy workshop "Wind power in Latvia and the Baltic countries", which was organised by European Wind Energy Association and dedicated to Global Wind Day. The workshop provided an opportunity for policy makers, developers, scientists and representatives of funding institutions to discuss the wind energy projects, obstacles and opportunities in Latvia and Europe.
More information about the event and the reports are available here: http://ewea.org/index.php?id=2196
The advisory board meeting (01.06.2012)
The regular meeting of GORWIND advisory board took place in Pärnu, June 1, 2012. The main topics discussed were the results of sociological survey, as well as overall outputs of the project, the summarisation and usage of these results after the conclusion of the project at the autumn of 2012.
The presentations demonstrated during the meeting (see below) included preliminary results based on part of samples (the summary of whole results within each work package will be available at the conclusion of the project).
The 6th progress meeting in Pärnu (16-17.04.2012)
In April 16-17, Pärnu, a progress meeting was held to discuss the results achieved during the second period of the project.
The datasets gathered in the framework of the project were presented, and project partners agreed on a scheme of further data analysis, as well as transfer of project results by all work packages to work package 4, which is responsible for preparation of the planning tool encompassing the overall project outputs.
A sample of work package 2 data: In Baltic region westerlies with intensive cyclonic activity are defining temporal and spatial scale of winds (Illustration: Families of wave cyclones bringing with autumn storms. EMHI, www.emhi.ee).
A sample of work package 3 data: a map depicting movement of one ringed seal during the project period according to the data received via the transmitter.
The 5th progress meeting of the project (25-26.01.2012)
GORWIND progress meeting took place in Rīga, Maritim Park Hotel, on January 25-26, 2012.
The advisory board meeting (22.11.2011)
GORWIND advisory board meeting took place in Rīga, Kalnciema Quarter, on November 22, 2011.
The 4th progress meeting in Jūrmala (5.-6.10.2011)
GORWIND progress meeting took place in Jūrmala, during October 5-6, 2011. The project results achieved so far during the first and second periods was discussed, plans for processing the gathered data were constructed, and decisions made regarding the coordinating the project results among the project work packages.
On November 22, 2011 the project Advisory Board meeting is planned in Riga, Kalnciema Quarter (Kalnciema Street 35). During the meeting the specialists and policy makers in the spheres of wind energy and spatial planning will evaluate the project results achieved up to date, and will provide the recommendations for the further project implementation.
The presentations by work packages::
The 3rd progress meeting in Saremaa (June 7-8, 2011)
Policy forum (28.04.2011)
The policy forum „Wind energy in Latvia: planning, policy, opportunities” has been successfully completed. It was an occasion which gathered together stakeholders in the sphere of renewable energy policy planning and implementation: representatives from Republic of Latvia Parliament, Ministry of Environment and Regional Development, Ministry of Economics, Maritime Administration of Latvia, Environment State Bureau, the specialists from enterprises, local governments, scientific and non-governmental organisations.
The programme (in Latvian)
The discussion was dedicated to the work of state, scientific and NGO work in the research and planning of Baltic Sea territory, to provide research and informative basis for development of wind parks in the sea, and to the development of legislation in this sphere.
The head of the board of Wind Energy Association, Mr. P.Barons remarked that the wider, multidisciplinary methodology applied within the GORWIND project to solve the wind energy infrastructure planning and development should be viewed as positive.
The Forum was organised by the scientists of University of Latvia Faculty of Physics and Mathematics in the framework of Estonian – Latvian cross border cooperation project GORWIND (Gulf of Riga as a Resource for Wind Energy).
The 2nd progress meeting in Jelgavkrasti (8-9.03.2011)
GORWIND progress meeting took place in Jelgavkrasti, Salacgriva region during March 8-9, 2011. The progress of project implementation during the first period (1 XI 2010 30. IV 2011) was discussed in 4 work packages.
The further tasks and progress plan was adjusted according to the recommendations received in project advisory board meeting, which took place in Pärnu, February 2011.
The important organizational work will be implemented to prepare the policy forums which are planned during the last weeks of April in Parnu and Saulkrasti.
The 1st progress meeting in Pärnu (30.11.2010)
Project objectives
The project objectives are to provide decision makers and potential developers of wind parks in the Gulf of Riga with reliable marine wind information from high resolution remote sensing data, coastal wind measurements and ensemble of Regional Climate models. Wind fields will be complemented with the information on habitat area for seals and wintering, migrating and breeding birds. Local people and authorities will be involved in the active process of selection of suitable areas for wind parks through mapping their attitude and considering the requirements of the areas for renewable energy.
Current situation
Due to the opening of the energy market in EU the energy business will become international by nature. The use of renewable energy sources are encouraged by EU authorities. Wind energy has a high potential in the Gulf of Riga region - Latvia and Estonia would benefit from the wind parks in this territory. The Gulf of Riga is common habitat area for marine mammals and birds, and their habitats should be considered in planning of wind parks. The precise information about ice conditions is also necessary, since the formation and movement of ice may endanger the building and exploitation processes of the wind parks. The human factor is also very important, since the inhabitants worry about possible diminishing of living conditions due to wind park construction nearby.
Overall, the decisions about exploitation of the wind energy on the both sides of the Gulf of Riga should be harmonized.
Project partners
Project partners are research institutions in Estonia and Latvia. The partnership helps to ensure coordinated activities in the territory of Riga Gulf, joining and mutually complementing the competences of the institutions and experts involved.
Project leadership: Marine Systems Institute at Tallinn University of Technology.
Project partners:
- University of Tartu
- Estonian University of Life Sciences
- University of Latvia
- Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology
- Latvian Fund for Nature
- Estonian Fund for Nature
Activities
All the activities are to be implemented in the Gulf of Riga area. Processing of Earth Observation data is planned the remote sensing wind and ice imagery will take place, and coastal weather station data for the retrieval of dynamic marine and coastal wind and ice maps since 2001 until 2012 will be analysed.
Complementation of marine wind fields with model winds by ensemble of climate models until 2100.
Areal counting of migrating and wintering birds and breeding seals will take place in 2011/12. Harmonization of collected and historical data since 2001 for production of dynamic maps of different bird and seal populations will be accomplished.
Preparing, distributing and analyzing questionnaires to get overview of people´s reaction to the development of offshore and coastal wind parks. Analyses of strategic and thematic plans for renewable energy consumption from counties around the Gulf of Riga will be completed. The decision making tool based on the spatial planning methods will be prepared.
It is planned to organize stakeholder and public forums.
Project results
The project aims directly at producing policy-relevant, scientifically based information on wind energy fields, the most affected key natural species populations and social reactions and economic benefits for the entire Gulf of Riga area.
The decision making tool based on the spatial planning methods on GIS environment will be developed that facilitates the common planning for exploitation of wind energy in the Gulf of Riga area.
Dynamic maps of wind energy, ice condition, migrating and wintering bird populations, seals since 2001 with projection to future climate will be produced.
Indicators for spatial planning of peopleás attitude towards development of wind parks and for quantification of local plans of renewal energy consumption will be developed and integrated to decision making tool.
The outputs of the project contribute to the elaboration of policy relevant, environmental and socio-economic issues related to exploitation of renewable energy that have cross-border dimension.