Use of space
The North Sea region is a nucleus of multiple activities – the region is home to fisheries, wind park areas, sites of oil and gas production, shipping routes, military activities and many protected marine areas (see figure below). Energy developments in the region are increasingly constrained by spatial challenges.
The North Sea has many use functions for nature, energy, food, security and transport. (source: North Sea Energy, Brosschot 2022)
Online experience via The North Sea Energy Atlas
Efficient multi-use of the available space is essential – Energy hubs can fulfil this need to some extent by smartly coupling various energy activities and infrastructures to reduce overall spatial needs (See below). Of utmost importance is to also ensure that the space needed for the onshore landing of energy produced offshore is part of the planning processes from the initial stages to remove potential bottlenecks. Further insights into the topic can be explored in the results of NSE WP 1 (Energy Hubs and Transport Infrastructure) and WP 6 (System Mapping and Modelling).
Hub West as an example of offshore system integration and reduced spatial requirements.
Online experience via The North Sea Energy Atlas
Besides the opportunities of combining spatial usage it also involves some challenges to construct these offshore energy hubs effectively for people and nature. Proper frameworks should be in place to fulfill 1) guidelines on what standards should be met to ensure safe and effective execution of system integration on the North Sea, and 2) evaluation guidelines for the acceptance of the impact that any offshore activity has on the ecosystem.