Environmental Risk Register (ERR) for Marine Energy Devices at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Support Types:
Non-Open Water, Expertise

Application Areas:
Environmental Effects

Technology Relevance:
Current, OTEC, Tidal, Wave

Location: 1529 W Sequim Bay Rd, Sequim, WA

Facility Overview

The marine energy Environmental Risk Register (ERR) is an environmental assessment approach to aid marine energy project and technology developers and communities. Through application of the ERR, PNNL can help developers or communities comprehensively identify potential environmental interactions (or risks) for a specific marine energy deployment based off the device and location, and assess these interactions based on their expertise and the current state of knowledge on environmental effects. The ERR is structured to document and track potential environmental interactions, prioritize and determine risks and responses, and inform decision making throughout the project or design lifecycle.


Read more about the ERR:
Freeman, M., Farr, H., Staines, G., Haxel, J. (2026). Development and application of an environmental risk register for marine energy device and project developers. Ocean and Coastal Management. 108170, 276.


The ERR can help:

  1. detect potential risks early in device design or project planning,
  2. identify opportunities to lower environmental risks or apply appropriate management measures, and
  3. communicate information on environmental effects during permitting, stakeholder engagement, and funding processes.

Download the ERR one-pager info sheet (PDF).

Facility Capabilities

1529 W Sequim Bay Rd, Sequim, WA