Presentations

Abstract

In Germany, optimisation of the offshore wind build-out aims to enable more efficient solutions for both offshore wind capacity and associated grid connection systems.  Due to high offshore ambitions and limited spatial availability, the spatial density of wind turbines will rise significantly, especially in the North Sea. This will reduce the techno-economic efficiency of offshore assets and decrease full-load hours due to large-scale wake effects. In addition, these developments are unfolding against the backdrop of rising costs, a growing number of offshore wind farms, intensified construction and installation activities, and - above all - an accelerated offshore expansion plan.  The clear objective of offshore optimisation is therefore to significantly increase the full-load hours of both wind turbines and transmission systems as well as reducing their costs. The following optimisation measures show great potential for achieving the above-mentioned goals:  1. Reduce the spatial density of offshore wind farms via a redesign of offshore wind areas in the German North Sea achieving substantial reductions in large-scale wake effects. 2. Optimize offshore expansion planning with orientation toward reasonable targets for system-integrated offshore wind energy output [TWh], rather than focusing solely on installed capacity [GW]. 3. Utilize the peak-shaving potential of offshore wind farms - already provided for in the German Maritime Spatial Plan - to prevent inefficient oversizing of offshore transmission systems to absolute peak output.  4. Promote cross-border cooperation and adopt hybrid offshore interconnection architectures that integrate offshore wind farms with cross-border transmission systems, rather than relying on conventional coast-to-coast point-to-point links and radial offshore integration systems. 5. Promote cross-border cooperation and explore options for cross-border radial connections and mixed-technology configurations as sector-coupling approaches. 6. Assess the feasibility of increasing transmission capacity within planned projects, without changing the fundamental design and without introducing material risks that would constitute an unacceptable risk-benefit trade-off.