Abstract
The following paper examines how the marine zone of Europe is influenced by several key engineering and nonengineering restrictions for the case study of 3 offshore renewable technology types, an attenuating wave energy converter, a floating wind tension leg platform and a fixed wind jacket frame. It assesses the site characteristics associated with the devices and the levels of impact that can have on site suitability. The onshore infrastructure requirements for ports are also examined with the respective impact on the available marine space assessed. The grid connection to the Scottish northern distribution network is assessed and the impact that network MW capacity variability can have on space and the number of devices for developments is addressed using a novel GIS method. It is the aim that this new method could be used to assess the impact that future infrastructure could have for policy makers and developers.