In a recent episode of the EPRI Current podcast, we explore renewable wind energy, focusing on advancements in global wind turbine technology. Featuring subject matter experts Curtis Fox, Nikolay Dimitrov, and Clément Jacquet, the podcast discussion highlights several significant wind projects and the future of offshore wind energy.
Curtis Fox, who leads EPRI's offshore wind research and development portfolio, emphasizes the comprehensive scope of their work, covering everything from grid integration to environmental aspects. Nikolay Dimitrov, a senior scientist at DTU (the Technical University of Denmark) Wind Energy, brings expertise in applied statistics, data science, and reliability. Clément Jacquet, a senior researcher at EPRI, focuses on wind farm optimization and acts as a tech leader for EPRI's European activities.
The following is based on highlights from this EPRI Current podcast conversation. Listen to the podcast on all major podcasting channels or watch it on EPRI’s YouTube channel.
Global Offshore Wind Development
Fox provided an overview of the global offshore wind landscape, noting the ambitious targets set for the coming years. "As of 2023, we had 75 gigawatts of installed capacity globally. We're looking at 2030 targets of over 350 gigawatts, and projections for 2050 are close to 2000 gigawatts," he states. “The industry faces macroeconomic challenges, but advancements in technology and research are paving the way for growth.”
European Perspective
Dimitrov shared insights from a European perspective, highlighting similar challenges faced in the US and Europe, such as installation costs and space congestion. "Wind farms may interfere with each other, leading to wind farm wake interactions, which reduce power output. Additionally, the high level of renewables in the electricity market affects power purchase prices, presenting unique challenges.”
EPRI Europe's Contributions
Jacquet elaborated on EPRI Europe's role in the Hiperwind project, particularly in quantifying the impact of new technologies on the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE). "We developed tools and methods to assess the overall cost impact of changes in the design process," he explained. He added that the project's success demonstrates the potential for significant cost reductions and highlights areas for future research.
Technological Advancements and Challenges
Fox explained the importance of reducing the LCOE and the role of new technologies in achieving this goal. "Rapid adoption of new technologies, such as larger turbines and optimized supply chains, is key to reducing costs," he explains. However, Fox added that these innovations also introduce new risks and uncertainties, which research and development aim to address.
The Hiperwind Project
Dimitrov expanded on the Hiperwind project, funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 program. The project focuses on understanding and mitigating uncertainties in offshore wind turbine design. "By quantifying uncertainties and integrating them into the design process, we can reduce overall risk and improve reliability," he noted. According to Dimitrov, the project has successfully reduced LCOE by an estimated 5-10 percent.
Complementary Projects
The three experts also discussed other projects complementing Hiperwind, such as the Win-Twin project, which aims to develop digital twins for offshore wind farms. Such tools provide decision-makers with real-time data to optimize wind farm layouts, turbine models, and maintenance strategies. "EPRI will focus on maintenance optimization, leveraging our internal knowledge and tools developed in Hiperwind," says Jacquet.
Future Directions
Fox emphasized the importance of regional differences in offshore wind design and the need for adaptable solutions. "Understanding how assumptions in one region translate to another is key to optimizing wind farms globally," he stated. The lessons learned from Hiperwind can serve as a foundation for future research and development, he said, driving the industry toward potentially more reliable and cost-effective solutions.
Conclusion
This episode of EPRI Current highlighted the collaborative efforts and technological advancements driving the global offshore wind industry. With ambitious targets and ongoing research, the three experts believe the future of offshore wind energy looks promising. As Fox summarized, "Research and development are crucial for building a more reliable, resilient, and efficient power plant, ultimately helping to reduce costs and meet future clean energy goals."
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