WindEurope Bulletin
WindEurope Bulletin June 2018
4 June 2018
Giles Dickson
CEO Foreword
Dear WindEurope Member,
Last month we launched our ‘Local Impact, Global Leadership’ toolkit. First of all, a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who helped us develop such a comprehensive supply chain map. This comes at a really critical time. We’re now in the final stretch of negotiations on the Clean Energy Package. On June 13 the European Parliament and EU Member States will meet for (they hope) the last time to agree Europe’s renewables target for 2030 and the rest of the new Renewables Directive. EU Energy Ministers meet today to try to agree their position for this final round of negotiations. As you know, we’ve been pushing hard for a target of at least 35%.
Our new communications toolkit helps make the case for more ambition by mapping out the local economic benefits of the wind industry in Europe. It comprises a supply chain map, a compendium of examples of how wind farms benefit communities through the local taxes they pay and through shared ownership models. Plus a set of country fact sheets, which give a great overview of the impact of our industry in some key markets.
With a higher target these benefits could be extended to even more local communities. Europe-wide, the difference between a 27% and a 35% renewables target is 132,000 jobs and €92bn worth of investments. Once the EU target is agreed national Governments will then focus on the National Energy Plans they have to submit to Brussels showing how they will contribute to the EU target. They have to detail in these Plans what new renewables they’ll deploy up to 2030 and what they’ll do with their existing renewables that come to the end of their operational life before then. So the National Plans will define the size and shape of our national markets up to 2030. Engage your national government to influence them. And use the facts and figures in the Local Impact, Global Leadership web page.
Many of you will of course have noted that the changes of Government in Spain and Italy bring new hope for renewables. Certainly in Spain, where the new Energy Minister has already committed to undo unhelpful policies of her predecessor (and support an EU renewables target of 34-35%). And, whilst still less clear, to some extent in Italy too: the new government favours distributed generation and solar, but onshore wind auctions should go ahead too.
Back to Brussels, and there‘ve been significant developments in EU funding for renewables and grids. The Commission has published its proposals for the EU Budget for 2021-27 and within that amounts for R&D and energy networks. For R&D it’s €95bn under the new “Horizon Europe” (aka “FP9”, the successor to “Horizon2020”). €15bn of this is for Energy, Climate and Transport of which Energy would get just under half. Energy networks get €8.7bn in the “Connecting Europe Facility” (CEF), and the “Projects of Common Interest” that make up the CEF include a dedicated renewables budget for the first time – of €875m. These figures compare quite well to the existing EU Budget, which is encouraging given the new Brexit pressures on the EU Budget and the strong competition for the EU to spend more on security and migration.
Separately we’ve now formally launched the RE-Source Platform (at an event in Brussels on 6 June). You may recall the RE-Source Platform is our new platform for plugging and supporting corporate renewable PPAs. It comprises WindEurope, SolarPower Europe and corporates involved in buying and selling renewables. The latter include Google, Microsoft, IKEA and others plus a number of renewables producers. The Platform will lobby governments to get the right policies for PPAs and promote new business models. Check out the website.
Finally, events. Our Annual General Assembly and summer reception take place on 21 June in Brussels. The latter is in the wonderful Musée du Cinquantenaire. It should be a great do: you can register here. And of course preparations are now in full swing for the Global Wind Summit this September in Hamburg. We’ve some top speakers confirmed. The programme will be online in the coming days – you can find out more here.
Members’ successes
Sentient Science Digitalizes 35% of World’s Wind Turbine Models
40,000 wind turbines to use DigitalClone Software Platform for Life Extension.
Sentient Science has contracts in place to model 40,000 wind turbines obtaining 35% of the world’s wind turbine model types. Sentient’s customers use DigitalClone® software platform for both short- and long-term life predictions and life extension actions unique to each installed wind turbine.
With the addition of China’s Longyuan Power Group, the world’s largest wind operator, Sentient Science projects to have 168,000 wind turbines under contract globally by 2020. Sentient’s team of Ph.D. materials scientists and mechanical engineers are digitalizing 35% of the world’s wind turbine models.
Sentient’s DigitalClone library enables rapid delivery without the need for customer data on the following model types. New model development options are also available.
Large Taiwan offshore wind project for Van Oord
Van Oord has been designated as preferred contractor for a large 640 MW offshore wind project in Taiwan. By obtaining this contract, Van Oord has taken a firm first step on the Asian offshore wind market. This Yunlin project has a contract value of approximately EUR 500 million.
The Yunlin offshore wind project is being developed by the German project developer wpd. Van Oord is responsible for the design, manufacturing and installation of the eighty foundations. Preparations for the wind farm, which will be constructed eight kilometres off the coast of the Yunlin prefecture, starts immediately.
Energy transition in Taiwan
The offshore wind strategy of Taiwan is driven by the desire to phase out nuclear energy. High wind speeds, manageable distances in terms of coastal and water depth and a progressive government policy make offshore wind an attractive energy alternative. The aim of the Taiwanese government is to install 5.5 GW of offshore wind projects by 2025. The Yunlin project is part of the Taiwanese government’s feed-in tariff (“FIT”) programme. This means that it is connected to the Taiwan network and allows a long-term power contract of 20 years. In 2020, about 350 MW must be connected to the grid, with the remaining part following in 2021.
“In Asia, and especially in Taiwan, large investments are being made in offshore wind,” says Pieter van Oord, CEO of Van Oord. The Yunlin project is a great opportunity for Van Oord to show our expertise outside Europe. We look forward to working with our local partners to enable the energy transition of Taiwan.”
The Yunlin project is the first Van Oord offshore wind project in Taiwan and also its first wind contract outside Europe. However, Taiwan is familiar territory due to previous dredging and offshore projects. At the end of 2017, Van Oord completed one of Taiwan’s largest land reclamation projects. With the creation of 250 hectares of new land in the Port of Kaohsiung, Van Oord made a positive contribution to the economic development of the country, as a result of which Van Oord received the Golden Quality Award. This award is an important recognition from the Public Construction Commission of the Taiwanese government.
Hull council leader speaks about how Siemens has transformed city
Councillor Stephen Brady was addressing a crowd at the National Offshore Wind Connections conference in Hull, England.
Councillor Stephen Brady, Hull City Council leader, has said that the unprecedented interest in the turbine blade that was displayed in the city centre is proof of the impact the wind industry has had on Hull. “We had a fantastic year in 2017, and one of the highlights was Siemens bringing their first turbine off the production line right from the docks, along the main roads, and into the centre of Hull.” Cllr Brady was speaking at the National Offshore Wind Connections conference where he hailed the impact Siemens had made on Hull since its arrival in 2016. “We had to remove 20 lamp posts and six sets of traffic lights to get it there, but we get more visitors coming to see The Blade than we did for any other event we put on.”
The council leader also told a packed conference, which featured top business figures from across the country’s renewable sector, that the arrival of Siemens in the city marked the culmination of six years of talks between Siemens and Hull City Council.
Cllr Brady told the crowd the Government was now “seeing the reason the city fought so hard for Siemens,” and said he thought the future lay with renewable energy.
“It has not only transformed the city and created a huge amount of investment, but I am confident the future is with wind energy,” he said. “The longer it goes on, the cheaper that energy will become. We have all seen what nuclear energy can do, but now it is time to see what wind energy can do.”
ACCIONA receives the world’s first grid-scale energy storage certificate by DNV GL
ACCIONA Energia, the biggest global operator exclusively in renewable energies, today received the first ever prototype certificate for a grid-scale energy storage solution by DNV GL, the world’s largest resource of independent energy experts and certification body. The handover of the certificate took place at the American Wind Energy Association’s 2018 Windpower Conference in Chicago.
To explore the possibilities of grid-scale storage, ACCIONA Energia started up a hybrid plant for storing electricity in batteries as part of its grid-connected wind farm at Barasoain in Navarra, northern Spain.
The plant in Barásoain is equipped with a storage system that consists of two batteries located in separate containers: one fast-response battery of 1 MW/0.39 MWh (capable of maintaining 1 MW of power for 20 minutes) and another slower-response battery with greater autonomy (0.7 MW/0.7 MWh, maintaining 0.7 MW for 1 hour). Both have Samsung SDI Li-ion technology connected to a 3-MW AW116/300 wind turbine of ACCIONA Windpower (Nordex Group) technology, from which they capture the energy to be stored. The wind turbine is one of five that make up the Experimental Wind Farm at Barásoain, operated by the company since 2013. The entire system is managed by control software developed in-house by ACCIONA Energia and is monitored in real time by the company’s Renewable Energies Control Center (CECOER). The storage plant introduced by ACCIONA has now become the first in the world to undergo system-level certification. The certification process was carried out in line with the GRIDSTOR Recommended Practice, which is based on industry standards and considers safety, performance and reliability for grid-connected energy storage systems.
Energy storage is a key element in the transition to a more sustainable energy mix. It allows renewable sources such as wind and solar power to operate at full capacity during peak generation periods by storing excess energy until it is needed to meet later demand. While many energy storage technologies are well established at smaller scales, their application at grid-scale is still in its early days.
“The market for grid-scale energy storage systems is relatively unexplored, but we see rapid developments. Certifying new systems like ACCIONA’s grid-scale storage plant demonstrates that pioneering projects like this are meeting the required safety, performance and reliability standards and providing the industry with confidence in the quality of emerging new technologies,” said Kim Mørk, Executive Vice President, Renewables Certification at DNV GL.
Mørk added that “as part of our commitment to helping the industry transition to a low-carbon energy mix while maintaining safety and reliability of supply, we focus our efforts to develop industry guidelines on grid-scale energy storage to help designers, manufacturers, investors, insurers and authorities mitigate risks and control costs in energy storage projects.” For his part, Rafael Esteban, CEO ACCIONA Energy USA Global LLC, said that “our company is at the forefront of the energy transition through our solutions to facilitate the integration of variable-generation renewables into the grid and manage the power produced. Adding the energy storage plant to our Barasoain Experimental Wind Farm will improve the quality of energy sent to the grid, allow us to explore other applications for balancing supply and demand and create a path for commercial storage solutions in our wind power projects.”
“With any emerging technology, technology qualification and certification is essential in understanding and managing risk”, added Esteban.“ In the near future, the bodies involved in the approval and financing of storage systems worldwide will demand these certificates. ACCIONA also wants to be a pioneer in this area. By applying for certification from such a solvent entity as DNV GL, we can guarantee that our plant fulfills all the conditions to operate with full confidence.”
Introducing new WindEurope member Neri Motori
Neri Motori is an Italian manufacturer of asynchronous electric motors for a wide range of industrial applications, including a specific product line dedicated to wind solutions. Our strength is to implement customized solutions for different customer needs.
We became a WindEurope member because we believe that WindEurope is an important point of reference for updating our know-how and sharing experience with wind industry experts.
We are very sensitive to renewable energy and believe that today’s business should contribute to preserving resources for future generations. We had the good fortune to know customers who introduced us to the wind market and we would like to develop our relationship to the sector with a more methodical and analytical approach.
We have been active in this field since 2009, with over 5,000 motors supplied to several wind parks worldwide. We have equipped several thousand turbines, onshore and offshore, with our solutions.
Nowadays, Neri Motori manufactures and distributes two motor ranges for the wind industry: Yaw Motors and Pitch Motors. Yaw Motors are designed for controlling nacelles. The aerogenerator’s central system can change its orientation according to wind direction. Pitch Motors, on the other hand, gains efficiency from the wind’s force and direction. This line is equipped with dedicated encoders and electromagnetic brakes to guarantee rotor blade positioning.
This motor range is designed with special windings to achieve high starting torque and limited maximum torque. Frame sizes are included from IEC80 to IEC200, with different efficiency classes. Power is from 0.75 kW to 37 kW, in 4 or 6 poles. The quality and efficiency of our motors is certified through the achievement of high international certifications, which are currently: CE, ATEX 3GD, UL, CSA, GOST-R.
We are now investing in know-how and technology to give better solutions to wind manufacturers. Our short-medium term project is to adapt all our structures to higher control and quality standards to increase our expertise in developing green economy solutions. We are always open to designing customised solutions to meet specific market needs.
Neri Motori wants to be a partner for its customers, offering all the professionalism acquired in over 70 years of manufacturing experience, strictly Made in Italy.
Events
Registration now open for the WindEurope Conference at the world’s largest wind energy event
When: 25 – 28 September 2018
Where: Hamburg
The Global Wind Summit consists of two parts:
WindEnergy Hamburg’s global on & offshore expo
More than 1,400 exhibitors will gather for WindEnergy Hamburg, the world’s leading wind energy expo. This is an unmissable opportunity to network, do business and maximise your visibility before a truly global audience.
WindEurope’s global on & offshore conference
In parallel to the expo, over 50 conference sessions by 250 experts will put attendees at the forefront of every aspect of the wind industry in 2018. Leading voices from policy, business and technology will discuss the opportunities and challenges for wind in today’s changing world.
50% of exhibition space already sold for the WindEurope Conference & Exhibition 2019
When: 2 – 4 April 2019
Where: Bilbao
Time is running out if you want to book your stand for 2019’s premier on- and offshore wind energy event!
Spain has made a roaring return to the wind energy market: investors and innovators are unlocking the vast potential of Spanish wind power. This is why over 8,000 industry insiders and more than 400 exhibitors will gather in the buzzing cosmopolitan hub of Bilbao for the WindEurope Conference & Exhibition 2019.
Maximise your visibility in one of Europe’s booming industrial and cultural centres.
Stands are selling fast – so book today to avoid disappointment.
WindEurope Offshore 2019
In 2019, the offshore wind industry will be meeting in Copenhagen!
Visit our landing page for stand prices, sponsorship deals and accommodation
Windpower Monthly Awards
The final entry deadline for the Windpower Monthly Awards is Friday 8 June.
Don’t miss out on the chance to highlight and celebrate what you’ve already achieved in the industry with your peers and benefit from:
- Joining the growing Windpower Monthly Awards Community with your innovations and ideas showcased in focused online coverage
- Being awarded a Windpower Monthly Awards 2018 Logo Accreditation (to be used for the following year) to gold stamp your product or work if you are shortlisted
- Featuring in a Spotlight interview with our editorial team hosted online and in print to the entire Windpower Monthly audience if your entry reaches the shortlist
- The chance to speak at future Windpower Monthly events (subject to relevant opportunity and speaker slot availability) and considered as a judge in future awards if you reach the shortlisted stage
And if you win?
Along with the prestige and recognition that goes along with winning an award category, you will get a Windpower Monthly Awards Trophy and Winners Logo Accreditation for use throughout the year, a full detailed interview by our editorial team to be shared to our global audience and feature in our winners’ brochure.
You’ll also get the chance to speak at future events and be considered to sit on the judging panel at future awards (subject to relevant opportunities).
It is time for you to celebrate all that is great about your industry – so enter here to have the opportunity to showcase your work.
EU Projects
IRPWind policy breakfast – Making the most out of research & innovation funding
On 26 April, WindEurope hosted a policy roundtable on the importance of aligning EU and national policies to deliver on the EU’s energy and climate objectives.
In the current resource-constrained environment, addressing the challenges related to cross-border policy alignment will be key to leveraging Europe’s academic excellence and sustaining its industrial leadership in wind energy technology.
During the event, key stakeholders also presented the sector’s key research & innovation priorities to policymakers in view of Horizon Europe, the EU’s main research and innovation funding instrument for 2021-2027. The European Commission presented its proposal for research and innovation funding in the beginning of May.
WindEurope hosted the event for the IRPWind project, which is led by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and bring 24 research institutions and universities. IRPWind promotes joint collaborative research projects and reinforces research excellence across Europe.
SHOWTIME Seminar – A new hybrid tower concept
When: 28 June
Where: Broadway House, Tothill Street, SW1H 9NQ, London
On Thursday 28 June, the Steel Construction Institute is organising a full day seminar in London that will present the results of this 3 year research project that investigated an economical solution for tall onshore wind towers.
More powerful wind turbines need higher towers (over 120 m) and require new solutions that are economically justified and environmentally friendly. Conventional tubular wind towers become impractical and uneconomical at greater heights or when located in areas with natural obstacles for wind flow. In response, the SHOWTIME project (Steel Hybrid Onshore Wind Towers Installed with Minimal Effort) has developed a new hybrid tower concept.
The SHOWTIME design comprises a steel lattice lower part and a steel tubular upper part. The hybrid design specifically targets onshore applications in situations where the wind shear profile demands the installation of higher turbines, for example near forests.
Innovative aspects of the project include the optimisation of the tower erection process, the transition component between the tubular and lattice parts of the tower, and the minimisation of in-situ work using newly developed bolted connections.
A nominal registration fee of £50 (excluding VAT) per person applies to attend the SHOWTIME Seminar (to cover venue costs).
Please register for the SHOWTIME Seminar online via the SCI Events Portal, from which you will also be able to pay the registration fee.
For any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Jane Burrell or Sue Coker at SCI:
T: +44 (0) 1344 636 579
E: [email protected]
