This project attempts to provoke tourist interactions with wind energy in an attempt to try to reveal new possibilities in these encounters. I hope to explore the tensions that emerge from provoking these interactions. This project attempts to take ‘snapshots’ as bodies move and form new connections, and in these instances explore the opportunities that may emerge for dynamic perceptions of the self and the wider world. In considering this relationship, I hope to begin to rethink ecology outside of the dominant academic discourses within tourism theory and science communication. To do this I examine the potential that may emerge as a result of shared competencies between the tourism and renewable energy sector. Within the region of Mid Wales, the site of the current study, tourism represents an economically important and well-established sector, and there is a growing interest in the potential for large-scale renewables developments under proposed government plans. In response to this, there has been an increased interest in exploring both the impacts of these proposed developments, and the opportunities that may emerge to develop a visitor attraction based on the technology. Within the remit of the current project, funding partners required that these areas be addressed and so this is considered within the wider project that seeks to explore outcomes associated with an emancipatory political project.

Perceived procedural justice in the implementation process of wind energy projects has been shown to be an important factor in shaping local acceptance of such schemes. However, thus far most research on this topic has focussed on large scale or private-developer led projects, with little research into how procedural justice might be important in "community" owned or led wind energy projects. The thesis addresses this gap by examining how local residents and project leaders perceive the implementation process of two community wind energy projects. It uses in-depth qualitative methods, with fifty-three interviews supplemented by participant observation in each community and a content analysis of key documents. The findings show that the implementation of community wind energy projects may be perceived as "procedurally just" by some local residents if the process generates a sense of community efficacy or "control" over the project. However, such perceptions are not guaranteed or necessarily consensual and very strong feelings of injustice can still exist with those who believe there to be unfair exclusions from the process or that community efficacy is more rhetoric than reality. One reason for this potential range of viewpoints is that claims and interpretations of procedural justice involve multiple "dimensions" of procedure, termed in this thesis: the extent of authority, the sharing of authority, inclusiveness, information provision, and communication & decision mode. These are interlinked and mutually reinforcing, with the perceived fairness of one dimension impacting on the perceived fairness of another. As such, creating perceived fairness in the implementation of community wind energy projects is not straightforward and attention must be to achieving justice in each dimension of procedure. A more explicitly "spatial" element to procedural justice, in terms of "where" decisions are taken, is also shown to be an important part of the justice interpretations and claims made by various stakeholders. In both case studies, the relatively local control of each community wind energy project was generally supported as a matte!; of justice, but defining exactly what the "fair" spatial boundaries of each "local community" ought to encompass was much more problematic and the subject of arguments over justice. The thesis concludes by stating that community control and ownership of wind projects does represent a significant opportunity to implement wind energy in a more just manner, and thus to potentially help reduce the extent and strength, of local opposition toward specific projects. However, community-ownership is not a "silver bullet". Instead, careful attention must be paid into how such projects are implemented and the justness of their implementation processes if greater local support and a more just mode of deploying wind power are to be achieved.

This thesis is a mixed methods study of individual and collective anti-wind energy activism in the UK, USA and Europe. A ‘grounded theory’ approach was taken to the generation of theoretical material in that research questions evolved as the research progressed and no ‘a priori’ hypotheses were proposed. However, the initial aims of the research were: to assess the applicability of the ‘NIMBY’ label; to investigate the extent of the anti-wind activist network and to judge whether the phenomenon could legitimately be described as a ‘social movement’. The research involved two types of quantitative analysis: Social Network Analysis of hyperlink and real world network data; and an assessment of the strength of Place Attachment for anti-wind energy activists. Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interview and biographical data was also used to gain an understanding of the characteristics of leading anti-wind activists: their similarities, differences, motivations, underpinning ideologies and biographical trajectories. The thesis frames the development and deployment of wind energy as a strategic response of advanced capitalism to geopolitical factors and historic energy crises. New forms of energy generate new relations of production and externalities which impact on localities and class interests. For onshore wind energy, these particularly (but not exclusively) affect elements of the rural middle class who have deeply entrenched views of the ‘pastoral ideal’. A conceptual model is developed to show how the expansion of industrial wind energy presents instrumental and ideological challenges to this ideal, and to identities. As a consequence individual and collective protests take place. These are sufficiently organised, connected, purposive and large-scale as to qualify as a social movement. The thesis contributes to Social Movement and Social Network theory by combining quantitative and qualitative methods to better understand anti-wind activism.

A relationship between poverty and mental health has been demonstrated for many years now through epidemiological data. However it appears that mental health services and clinical psychology specifically has failed to take sufficient account of this relationship. Instead it is argued that in pursuing individualistic explanations of mental health problems clinical psychology has reduced complex social problems into intra-psychic factors. Power and discourse's role in legitimising power have also been implicated in this relationship through the oppression and constraining of poor individuals identities. The individualistic accounts of psychology were also criticised as legitimating a focus on poor individuals and masking social processes that may be involved in the development of mental health difficulties. In this thesis I present the results of a discourse analysis of interviews with nine clinical psychologists. Two main discourses were generated from the data, those being structural and individualistic. These appeared to have different functions, and created a number of dilemmas for participants with structural accounts ensuring individuals were not blamed for their poverty, while individualistic accounts seemed to function to transform the social problem of poverty into a task that would fit within the constraints of a traditional psychological account. In explaining poverty psychologists appeared to draw more on structural accounts. However, in accounting for the relationship between poverty and mental health the opposite was the case. The implications for practice and research are discussed.

Offshore wind farms are widely considered to become a cornerstone of energy transition for securing energy supply and tackling climate change simultaneously. But recent developments have demonstrated that the siting of offshore wind farms is far from being conflict-free, evoking confrontations with a number of stakeholder interests. Such real-life evidence implies a reductio ad absurdum, as offshore wind farms are generally supposed to be less contested than the ones onshore and therefore more convenient for local communities. By drawing on two case studies in Scotland and Germany (Argyll Array / Baltic 1), this thesis examines various conflicts that emerge from the siting of offshore wind farms and compares their underlying causes as well as their implications and institutional consideration in the planning process. In order to understand the conflicts over offshore wind farms, the research employs the epistemological framework of ‘space-related conflicts’ which turns the attention to conflicting interests, values and practices of affected actors as well as to the significance of structural and spatial conditions. Throughout the thesis, it will be argued that it is not the wind farms per se that are contested, but that the conflicts rather revolve around the places and spaces which are meant to be changed by the siting of offshore wind farms. The findings show that both case studies reflect similar conflicts, where adverse impacts on coastal tourism and environmental impacts turned out to be the key issues for local opponents from the public. However, even though key controversies are comparable, major differences result from the rationales that opponents invoke to substantiate their concerns and more dominantly from the existing planning frameworks which pre-structure the power relations and dynamics of public engagement. The comparative study concludes by suggesting some policy recommendations for future practices of dealing with affected actors. Therefore, the research findings do not just provide a contribution to the theoretical debates about the formation of resistance to renewables, but they also present practical implications relevant to policy-makers.

The first part is concerned with dynamic aggregated modelling of large offshore wind farms and their integration into power systems via VSC-HVDC links. The dynamic aggregated modelling of offshore wind farms including WT-DFIGs and WT-PMSGs are proposed to achieve effective representations of wind farms in terms of computational time and simulation accuracy for transient stability analysis. Modelling and control of VSC-HVDC systems for integration of offshore wind farms are investigated. Comparisons of two control schemes of rectifier-side converter are carried out to evaluate their dynamic performance for integration of these offshore wind farms in terms of transient stability. The second part is to address the advanced transmission systems with innovative HVDC configurations. Feasibility studies of updated schemes of monoplolar CSC-HVDC link with support of monopolar VSC-HVDC link as the hybrid bipolar CSC/I{VDC system is carried out to deal with two key issues of CSC-HVDC. Small-signal modelling of MTDC grids is investigated and parameter optimisation of PI controller of converters in MTDC grids is carried out using PSO method based on small-signal models of the system at multiple operating points to obtain optimised parameters of PI controllers to improve dynamic performance of MTDC grids at multiple operating points.

Edited by Bostwick H. Ketchum. / The workshop was held 22 May - 3 June 1972 and was cosponsored by the Institute of Ecology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. / Includes bibliographies.

The full extent of a landscape’s resilience to the environmental impact of siting wind-based renewables on peats is currently unknown. This research explores if windfarm construction activities have caused disturbance by investigating; time series of fluvial carbon (C) and nutrient concentrations; constructing aquatic organic C fluxes, before, during and after the windfarm construction period. Additionally, C sequestration rates of peat and nearby lake sediments (Loch Brora) were calculated to provide a historical context to, i) calculated aquatic C fluxes and ii) sediment export from surrounding catchments, considering both a catchment hosting the windfarm construction and one that does not. Furthermore, the effectiveness of a peatland restoration technique, drain-blocking, was assessed as a means of undertaking a whole system approach to assessing the potential impact of the windfarm development, considering how these management strategies can help mitigate potential C losses associated with construction. The research field site was located on the Gordonbush Estate, near Brora, where construction started in July 2010 (the same time this research began) on Scottish and Sothern Energy Renewables (SSER) 35 turbine windfarm. Construction work finished in May 2012 and data collection continued until September 2014. Throughout this period, fieldwork was focussed on storm event sampling (collecting samples for dissolved organic carbon (DOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), total phosphorous (TP), soluble reactive phosphorous (SRP) and total oxidised nitrogen (TON)), collecting peat and lake sediment cores, samples of modern day sediment export and monitoring water table depth in an area where old drainage channels were blocked as part of a peatland restoration initiative. Three river catchments were studied, two affected by windfarm construction activities (GB10 and GB11) and one control site (GB12), DOC concentrations ranged from 1.1 mg l-1 to 48.3 mg l-1, POC from <0.1 mg l-1 to 21.3 mg l-1, TP from <0.5 µg l-1 to 264 µg l-1, SRP from <0.5 µg l-1 to 39 µg l-1 and TON from <1 µg l-1 to 141 µg l-1. These were all within ranges of macronutrient concentrations measured at other northern temperate peatland sites. Comparing macronutrient concentrations between catchments, generally GB10 > GB11 > GB12 for all determinants. Seasonal patterns in fluvial macronutrient concentrations were observed at Gordonbush: summer maxima and winter minima in DOC and TP concentrations and the opposite trend in TON concentrations. SRP data collected indicates a legacy of forest felling in the Bull Burn Plantation has contributed to increased concentration in the Allt Mhuilin river (GB10) compared to the two other catchments, Allt Smeorail (GB11) and Old Town Burn (GB12) where no forest felling occurred during the data collection period. Differences in DOC and TP concentration in Allt Mhuilin compared to other catchments could also be related to forest felling activities but catchment characteristics such as peat coverage may have also influenced results. For all relevant measures of water quality, macronutrient concentrations from Gordonbush shows studied streams consistently achieved “Good” or “High” status throughout the data collection period. Apart from the legacy of forest felling, a discernible impact of windfarm construction was not observed from macronutrient concentration time series. Calculating annual aquatic C fluxes from studied catchments offered a means of assessing potential impact. Various techniques of estimating fluxes were explored but splitting storm event DOC and POC data based on time of year and whether samples were collected on the rising or falling limbs were concluded to give the best estimates. Calculated fluxes ranged from 3 – 38 g C m-2 yr-1 and DOC consistently accounted for ~90% of total aquatic C export. These values were within limits of other C flux based studies from peatlands but the time series constructed at Gordonbush suggested windfarm construction, between July 2010 and May 2012, may have contributed to an increase in aquatic C export from affected catchments during this time, relative to the control site. Long term C sequestration rates from within the Gordonbush estate were 20-25 g C m-2 yr-1, the same magnitude as aquatic organic C fluxes. However, peat C sequestration was shown to be variable over the last ~9000 years since Scottish peatlands became established, with rates ranging from 10-60 g C m-2 yr-1. Controls on this variation are likely climatic with delivery of moisture influenced by the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) a key factor. Calculated lake C sequestration also varied over time, 22-82 g C m-2 yr-1 but an inconclusive radiocarbon dating chronology meant historical comparison of C export dynamics between the, C ‘source’, peatland to the, C ‘sink’, lake was unfortunately not possible. Modern day sedimentary export data showed higher sediment yields from windfarm affected catchment than the control site. Physical characteristics varied considerably between the two catchments so although this observation could not definitively be attributed to a direct windfarm impact, it remains a possibility. Whilst studying and quantifying the impact of drain blocking, manual measurements of water table depth (WTD) ranged between -53 cm to +14 cm in dip-wells and -36 cm to +20 cm in automated logging pressure transducers. The response of WTD throughout both data sets indicates meteorological conditions were more influential as a factor controlling peat hydrology across the site compared to topography. Manual measurements from dip-wells shows the drainage channels investigated (~0.5-0.7 m deep and ~0.5 m wide) had the greatest influence on effect WTD 0-2 m from the main channel but no statistically significant difference was detected in mean WTDs measurements before or after blocking, in relation to distance from the drainage channels themselves or comparisons between drained and un-drained (control) areas. However, data from PTs indicate the net effect of multiple parallel drains can cause water table drawdown at a significant distance, ~ 25 m, from the drainage channel. This is an important finding as methodology used to calculate the C ‘payback time’ of windfarms utilises the lateral drainage extent of peat when turbines bases are excavated. Drain blocking had no obvious effect (either positive or negative) on WTDs however it is acknowledged positive effects can take up to five years, after blocking has taken place, to be observed. Maximum DOC concentrations increased the year after blocking however this result has been recorded at other sites and the exceptionally dry summer of 2013 could have contributed to the noticed increased by promoting more peat oxidation and subsequently DOC production. There was no statistically significant difference between [DOC] collected up and downstream of the drainage channel inputs for samples collected before and after blocking. This suggests drain-blocking has had little impact on the larger site [DOC] signature one year after drain-blocking. However, as discharge from drainage channels was not measured, a potential reduction in overall DOC export could not be fully assessed and this is a highlighted future research need. Combining averages of aquatic organic C fluxes and peat C sequestration rates calculated it is estimated net ecosystem exchange would have to be between -30 to -50 g C m-2 yr-1 for Gordonbush to be classed as a C ‘sink’. If the observed increases in sedimentary export could be attributed to windfarm construction, Loch Brora is unlikely to act as a strong C sink for any potential increased losses as it is estimated ~90% of POC exported is not sequestered on a long-term basis in the lake sediments. It has recently been recommended windfarms should not be developed on peatlands due to the marginal C savings achieved as our future energy mix changes (Smith et al., 2014). However, if similar projects are granted planning permission then findings from this research support the following recommendations: installation of buffer zones around areas of felled forestry to reduce nutrient export into surrounding streams; implementation of a water quality monitoring programme to assess impact of windfarm construction during construction and a period afterwards as it is still unclear from this research if there will be any lasting effects; installation of silt traps to reduce aquatic sediment export and disturbance; limit any high density excavation of drainage channels as the effects of water draw-down could be quite extensive; in addition, blocking all historical drainage channels and retaining as much moisture as possible within, and surrounding, areas of degraded peatland can increase long-term peat C sequestration rates and offset C losses experienced during construction. This research has been funded by SSER, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Energy Technology Partnership (ETP). This research has been undertaken and supported at the University of Glasgow within the College of Science and Engineering, specifically aligned to the work of the Carbon Landscapes and Drainage (CLAD) research group headed by Prof. Susan Waldron in the School of Geographical and Earth Sciences. Finally, this research has also been supported in partnership with Stirling University.

In order to increase energy security and meet carbon emission reduction targets set by the EU and UK government, the UK energy sector has increased its reliance on renewable energy. The marine renewable sector is set to become a major contributor to the UK's energy portfolio but incumbent on the offshore renewable sector are the high development, operation and maintenance costs. Prevailing metocean conditions at an offshore energy site contribute significantly to the life-cycle costs of an offshore energy project. Where access to a site is limited by a lack of suitable weather-windows, leading to high instances of downtime, weather-induced costs increase. Determination of suitable metocean weather-windows, defined by maximum operating thresholds and the length of time required to perform a task can assist with the risk management of a project and the reduction of downtimes, thus reducing costs. Metocean weather-windows are determined using 31 years (the “climatological norm”) of ECMWF ERA-40 reanalysis data. The annual, seasonal and monthly distribution parameters for wind and wave regimes at three sites are derived, using three different distribution parameter estimation models. Probabilities of defined weather-windows are determined using the derived distribution parameters and compared with empirical probabilities, based on the frequentist approach. Wind regimes fit a Weibull distribution and wave regimes fit a 3P gamma distribution and unique annual, seasonal and monthly distribution parameters are required for accurate weather-window determination. When fitted to appropriate PDFs, the shape and scale values determined by the different estimation techniques result in significantly different probabilities. Empirical probabilities converge with those determined using the MLE model but both significantly differ from those derived using the LSM and MoM derived parameters. In the absence of a dataset spanning the climatological norm, this suggests that the MLE method of parameter estimation is more accurate for the successful determination of weather-windows.

In der Studie wurde eine Maßnahmenplanung zur gemeinsamen Umsetzung der Wasserrahmenrichtlinie (WRRL) und der Fauna-Flora-Habitat-Richtlinie (FFH-RL) unter Berücksichtigung des Biotopverbunds erstellt. Ziel war es, eine optimale Nutzung von Synergieeffekten zu erreichen. Projektgebiet war das FFH-Gebiet »Lossa und Nebengewässer«, das sich überwiegend im Landkreis Leipzig befindet. Mit dem angewendeten Planungsansatz können die finanziellen Aufwendungen bei der praktischen Umsetzung minimiert werden. Zielkonflikte konnten mittels Umsetzbarkeitsanalyse und daraus abgeleiteter Maßnahmenpriorisierung gelöst werden. Die ebenfalls im Rahmen des Projektes erstellte allgemeine Handlungsanleitung (Heft 11/2014 der Schriftenreihe) wurde in dem Pilotgebiet erfolgreich angewendet.