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Offshore turbines require different types of bases for stability, according to the depth of water. A monopile (single column) base, six meters in diameter, is used in waters up to 30 meters deep. In water 20-80 metres deep, a tripod base, or one with a steel jacket is used. [[Floating wind turbine]]s are being developed for deeper water.<ref name=eesi2010/>
Offshore turbines require different types of bases for stability, according to the depth of water. A monopile (single column) base, six meters in diameter, is used in waters up to 30 meters deep. In water 20-80 metres deep, a tripod base, or one with a steel jacket is used. [[Floating wind turbine]]s are being developed for deeper water.<ref name=eesi2010/>

Turbines are much less accessible when offshore (requiring the use of a service vessel for routine access, and a [[jackup rig]] for heavy service such as gearbox replacement), and thus [[reliability]] is more important than for an onshore turbine.<ref name="btm2010o"/> A maintenance organization performs maintenance and repairs of the components, spending almost all its resources on the turbines. Access to turbines is by helicopter or service access vessel. Some wind farms located far from possible onshore bases have service teams living on site in offshore accommodation units.<ref name="dong">[http://www.dongenergy.com/hornsrev2/en/about_horns_rev_2/about_the_project/pages/accomodation_platform.aspx Accommodation Platform] ''[[DONG Energy]]'', February 2010. Retrieved: 22 November 2010.</ref>

The planning and permitting phase can cost more than $10 million, take 5–7 years and have an uncertain outcome. The industry puts pressure on the governments to improve the processes.<ref>http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/commentary/nj-must-make-wind-farm-permitting-process-as-quick-and-easy-as-possible</ref><ref>http://www.ieawind.org/Annex%20XXIII/Subtask1.html</ref> In [[Denmark]], many of these phases have been deliberately streamlined by authorities in order to minimize hurdles.<ref name="emDK">[http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=992 Streamline Renewable Energy Policy and make Australia a World Leader] ''Energy Matters'', 11 August 2010. Retrieved: 6 November 2010.</ref>


==Offshore wind farms==
==Offshore wind farms==

Revision as of 18:39, 1 January 2011

Aerial view of Lillgrund Wind Farm, Sweden

Offshore wind power refers to the construction of wind farms in bodies of water to generate electricity from wind. Better wind speeds are available offshore compared to on land, so offshore wind power’s contribution in terms of electricity supplied is higher.[1]

Siemens and Vestas are the leading turbine suppliers for offshore wind power. Dong Energy, Vattenfall and E.on are the leading offshore operators.[1] As of October 2010, 3.16 GW of offshore wind power capacity was operational, mainly in Northern Europe. According to BTM Consult, more than 16 GW of additional capacity will be installed before the end of 2014 and the United Kingdom and Germany will become the two leading markets. Offshore wind power capacity is expected to reach a total of 75 GW worldwide by 2020, with significant contributions from China and the United States.[1]

Definition

Offshore wind power refers to the construction of wind farms in bodies of water to generate electricity from wind. Unlike the term typical usage of the term "offshore" in the marine industry, offshore wind power includes inshore water areas such as lakes, fjords and sheltered coastal areas, utilizing traditional fixed-bottom wind turbine technologies, as well as deep-water areas utilizing floating wind turbines.

History

Europe is the world leader in offshore wind power, with the first offshore wind farm being installed in Denmark in 1991.[2] In 2008, offshore wind power contributed 0.8 GigaWatt (GW) of the total 28 GW of wind power capacity constructed that year.[3] By October 2009, 26 offshore wind farms had been constructed in Europe with an average rated capacity of 76 MW,[4] and as of 2010 the United Kingdom has by far the largest capacity of offshore wind farms with 1.3 GW, more than the rest of the world combined at 1.1 GW[5] (see List of offshore wind farms in the United Kingdom). As of October 2010, Danish wind turbine manufacturers Siemens Wind Power and Vestas have installed 91.8% of the world's 3.160 MW offshore wind power capacity. Based on current orders, BTM expects 15GW more between 2010 and 2014.[6]

Technology

In 2009, the average nameplate capacity of an offshore wind turbine in Europe was about 3 MW, and the capacity of future turbines is expected to increase to 5 MW.[2]

Offshore turbines require different types of bases for stability, according to the depth of water. A monopile (single column) base, six meters in diameter, is used in waters up to 30 meters deep. In water 20-80 metres deep, a tripod base, or one with a steel jacket is used. Floating wind turbines are being developed for deeper water.[2]

Turbines are much less accessible when offshore (requiring the use of a service vessel for routine access, and a jackup rig for heavy service such as gearbox replacement), and thus reliability is more important than for an onshore turbine.[1] A maintenance organization performs maintenance and repairs of the components, spending almost all its resources on the turbines. Access to turbines is by helicopter or service access vessel. Some wind farms located far from possible onshore bases have service teams living on site in offshore accommodation units.[7]

The planning and permitting phase can cost more than $10 million, take 5–7 years and have an uncertain outcome. The industry puts pressure on the governments to improve the processes.[8][9] In Denmark, many of these phases have been deliberately streamlined by authorities in order to minimize hurdles.[10]

Offshore wind farms

See also: List of offshore wind farms and Lists of offshore wind farms by country
Offshore wind turbines near Copenhagen.

As of 2010, there are 39 European offshore wind farms in waters off Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom, with an operating capacity of 2,396 MW. More than 100 GW (or 100, 000 MW) of offshore projects are proposed or under development in Europe. The European Wind Energy Association has set of 40 GW installed by 2020 and 150 GW by 2030.[2]

As of November 2010, the Thanet Offshore Wind Project in United Kingdom is the largest offshore wind farm in the world at 300 MW, followed by Horns Rev II (209 MW) in Denmark.

World's largest offshore wind farms
Wind farm Capacity (MW) Country Turbines and model Commissioned References
Thanet 300  United Kingdom 100 × Vestas V90-3MW 2010 [11][12]
Horns Rev II 209  Denmark 91 × Siemens 2.3-93 2009 [13]
Rødsand II 207  Denmark 90 × Siemens 2.3-93 2010 [14]
Lynn and Inner Dowsing 194  United Kingdom 54 × Siemens 3.6-107 2008 [15][16][17][18]
Robin Rigg (Solway Firth) 180  United Kingdom 60 × Vestas V90-3MW 2010 [19][20]
Gunfleet Sands 172  United Kingdom 48 × Siemens 3.6-107 2010 [20][21]
Nysted (Rødsand I) 166  Denmark 72 × Siemens 2.3 2003 [15][22][23]

The province of Ontario in Canada is pursuing several proposed locations in the Great Lakes, including Trillium Power Wind 1 approximately 20 km from shore and over 400 MW in size.[24] Other Canadian projects include one on the Pacific west coast.[25]

As of 2010, there there are no offshore wind farms in the United States. However, projects are under development in wind-rich areas of the East Coast, Great Lakes, and Pacific coast.[2]

Economics and benefits

Most entities and individuals active in offshore wind power believe that prices of electricity will grow significantly from 2009, as global efforts to reduce carbon emissions come into effect. BTM expects cost per kWh to fall from 2014,[6] and that the resource will always be more than adequate in the three areas Europe, United States and China.[1]

Offshore wind power can help to reduce energy imports, reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases (by displacing fossil-fuel power generation), meet renewable electricity standards, and create jobs and local business opportunities.[2]

Aesthetics

Main article: Environmental effects of wind power § Aesthetics

Offshore wind turbines are less obtrusive than turbines on land, as their apparent size and noise is mitigated by distance. A 2006 Survey by the University of Delaware near the proposed Cape Wind development found that residents most frequently based their decisions to support or oppose the wind farm on perceived impacts to marine life, the environment, electricity rates, aesthetics, fishing and boating.[26]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Madsen & Krogsgaard. Offshore Wind Power 2010 BTM Consult, 22 November 2010. Retrieved: 22 November 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Environmental and Energy Study Institute (October 2010). "Offshore Wind Energy" (PDF).
  3. ^ http://www.bwea.com/pdf/publications/CapReport.pdf
  4. ^ Offshore Wind Energy, The Windenergie-Agentur Bremerhaven/Bremen, 2009 Issue.
  5. ^ UK reaches 5GW of installed wind landmark New Energy Focus / BWEA, 23 September 2010. Retrieved: 8 November 2010.
  6. ^ a b Madsen & Krogsgaard. Press offshore (in Danish) BTM Consult, 22 November 2010. Retrieved: 22 November 2010.
  7. ^ Accommodation Platform DONG Energy, February 2010. Retrieved: 22 November 2010.
  8. ^ http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/commentary/nj-must-make-wind-farm-permitting-process-as-quick-and-easy-as-possible
  9. ^ http://www.ieawind.org/Annex%20XXIII/Subtask1.html
  10. ^ Streamline Renewable Energy Policy and make Australia a World Leader Energy Matters, 11 August 2010. Retrieved: 6 November 2010.
  11. ^ "Thanet". The Engineer Online. 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2008-11-26.
  12. ^ "Thanet offshore wind farm starts electricity production". Retrieved 2010-09-34. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  13. ^ Horns Rev II turbines
  14. ^ E.ON finishes Rødsand II Business Week, 14 July 2010. Retrieved: 11 September 2010.
  15. ^ a b Operational offshore wind farms in Europe, end 2009 EWEA. Retrieved: 23 October 2010.
  16. ^ Interactive Map for Marine Estate
  17. ^ Interactive Map for Marine Estate
  18. ^ Wind farm's first turbines active
  19. ^ Interactive Map for Marine Estate
  20. ^ a b [1] UK Wind Energy Database
  21. ^ Interactive Map for Marine Estate
  22. ^ Christensen, Allan S. & Madsen, Morten. Supply Chain study on the Danish offshore wind industry page 33-42 Offshore Center Denmark, 29. august 2005. Retrieved: 23 October 2010.
  23. ^ "Introduction to the (Nysted offshore) park". Retrieved 2010-08-19.
  24. ^ Hamilton, Tyler (January 15, 2008). "Ontario to approve Great Lakes wind power". The Star. Toronto. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  25. ^ "Naikun Wind Development, Inc". Retrieved 2008-05-21.
  26. ^ http://www.eesi.org/files/offshore_wind_101310.pdf
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