WindEurope Bulletin
WindEurope Bulletin September 2018
5 September 2018
Giles Dickson
CEO Foreword
Dear WindEurope Member,
There are just 3 weeks to go now until the world’s largest wind energy event, the Global Wind Summit in Hamburg (25-28 September). The WindEurope 2018 Conference will be taking place inside the halls of WindEnergy Hamburg’s on- and offshore expo, making it easy for you to get the most out of the event.
Our conference programme brings together more than 500 speakers, including top figures from government, industry, finance and academia. Don’t miss the opening plenary session at 09:30 on Tuesday 25th: we’ll have EU Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, the Energy Ministers of Denmark and Norway and the head of BusinessEurope, the EU’s top industry lobby.
Each day of the conference has a theme. Day One (Tuesday 25th) is electrification and sector-coupling. Day Two (Wednesday 26th) is digitalisation and other technology developments in wind. Day Three (Thursday 27th) is finance, notably how we’re going to finance wind energy in an increasingly merchant environment. And Day Four (Friday 28th) is new and emerging markets for wind and the long-term outlook.
Can I share the key messages we will be pushing over the four days of the event.
- The theme of this event is ‘Breaking new ground’ – and we’ll be looking at the different ways in which wind energy is re-shaping the global energy mix, today and tomorrow:
- unleashing the potential of digitalisation thanks to data science and now material science
- finding new ways of financing wind farms – such as PPAs – as we move towards a more merchant environment
- technological breakthroughs, for example in floating offshore wind, to unlock new areas for growth and
- how wind energy has the potential to drive the renewables-based electrification of the European energy system.
- Renewables-based electrification will be central to any successful strategy to decarbonise the EU’s energy system. If we’re serious about decarbonisation, renewables-based electrification has to be our number one priority. This will be the focus of our flagship report, which we will be launching at the event. We’ve done OK getting renewables into power, but power is only 24% of Europe’s energy. We now must get renewables into heating, transport and, crucially, industrial processes.
The societal benefits of doing this include:- obvious CO2 emissions reductions
- reducing other pollutants emissions (health-related costs of poor air quality are estimated at 3-9% of Europe’s GDP)
- reducing energy consumption
- strengthening Europe’s energy security (EU currently imports 54% of the energy it consumes at a cost of more than €1bn per day)
- The European wind supply chain is under pressure from rising international competition combined with society’s aspiration for cheap renewables. We need the market scale and R&I funding to ensure the equipment that will decarbonise our economy is Made in Europe.
- Now that we have a 32% EU renewable energy target for 2030, the ball is in the court of the Member States. The first drafts of their National Energy and Climate Plans due by December 31st need to have significant volumes for wind energy to sustain our global leadership while fully benefitting from local economic impacts.
In addition to our conference programme, there are plenty of side events and networking opportunities: our Members’ Reception will take place at the Hamburg History Museum on 25 September. We will be hosting the North Seas Energy Forum on 26 September, continuing the fruitful discussion that took place in Amsterdam last November. And after its great success last year, the Hack the Wind hackathon is back from 25-27 September. You can find out more about all our side events and networking opportunities here.
Finally, as a WindEurope member, you get 30% off your ticket to the conference – and a conference ticket gives you free access to the expo. You can get your tickets here.
The Global Wind Summit is unquestionably the most important wind energy gathering of the year: 35,000 participants from more than 100 countries will be in attendance, making this a must-attend event.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Giles Dickson
Member’s interview feature
WindEurope recently collaborated with DNV GL on our forthcoming flagship report: ‘Breaking new ground: wind energy and the electrification of Europe’s energy system.’ In advance of the publication of DNV GL’s Energy Transition Outlook on 10 September, we sat down with Ditlev Engel, CEO of DNV GL Energy, to discuss the energy transition, the upcoming Global Wind Summit in Hamburg, and what the wind industry needs to do to ensure it is at the forefront of Europe’s energy mix in the future.
Members’ News
Debut installation completed for the world’s most powerful commercial single wind turbines by Swire Blue Ocean’s (SBO) Pacific Orca
Turbines at Vattenfall’s European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) now stand as the world’s most powerful single wind turbines installed on a commercial project to date.
The original project plans at Vattenfall’s EOWDC called for eleven V164-8.4 MW turbines. Two of the turbines were fitted with enhanced internal power modes, increasing their capacity to 8.8 MW. These wind turbines now stand as the world’s most powerful single wind turbines ever installed on a commercial project to date.
Together, the wind turbines off the coast of Aberdeen, Scotland have the capacity to provide the United Kingdom with 93.2 MW of renewable energy. The EOWDC is expected to meet the equivalent of 70% of Aberdeen’s domestic energy consumption and should offset 134,128 tonnes of CO2 annually, the equivalent of removing 736,817 cars from British roadways.
The physical dimensions of the turbines, implementation of innovative technologies and the inhospitable seabed conditions were some of the key challenges that parties involved in the project had to overcome.
Boskalis was awarded a ‘balance of plant’ contract for the project’s construction and installation of the innovative suction bucket jacket foundations and 66 KW cabling, marking the first time cabling of this capacity has been deployed in Scottish waters. These foundations, paired with the world’s most powerful single wind turbines to be installed offshore, are an offshore wind industry first.
Swire Blue Ocean provided Pacific Orca for turbine installation works; MHI-Vestas turbines on site have a height of 191 metres from blade tip to sea level and rotor diameters of 164 metres. In addition, soil conditions on site were challenging with leg penetrations exceeding 20 metres, but engineering steps taken pre-project ensured smooth and successful installations.
The EOWDC has begun to produce its first power and remains a major investment in Scotland’s transition to a low carbon electrical grid. In addition to the generation of renewable energy, the site will continue to serve as a key platform for industry research as the new technologies implemented are analysed and scientific studies funded by EOWDC begin to publish results.
Atten2 join WindEurope as new member
One of the most widespread concerns in the wind energy sector is knowing how to maintain operability at optimum cost. Traditionally, the estimated performance of a wind turbine fleet was 20 years, while now it is expected that the useful life will be extended by another 10 years to 30 years.
In wind turbines, there are different critical elements: the electrical part, the mechanical part and the control part, and it is in the mechanical part that the most significant risk is found, since, although breakdowns are less frequent, the repair time and the economic scope are considerably longer.
This is where Atten2, now a member of WindEurope, comes in.
Atten2 helps to anticipate failures by monitoring the condition of the lubricant in real time. The technology detects, quantifies and classifies the particles present in the flow, allowing an accurate diagnosis of the machine’s condition and corrective measures to be taken to prevent a breakdown or minimize its impact. Also, they distinguish between the presence of particles and air bubbles in the lubricating fluid and allow operational risks to be controlled through non-invasive monitoring of critical assets.
One of the most significant players in the market, Iberdrola, has relied on Atten2 and has invested in transferring the benefits of its technology to its operations. Thanks to the experience acquiring with their customers, Atten2 has been able to identify wear patterns in the machines according to their operating condition; an advantage that allows operators to optimize operation models and thus extend the useful life of their critical assets.
Atten2 is delighted to join WindEurope: by joining a platform with such high visibility in the renewable energy sector, Atten2 will be able to share its insight and knowledge with the market.
Events
Last chance to register for the Global Wind Summit
When: 25-28 September 2018
Where: Hamburg
The Global Wind Summit consists of two parts:
WindEurope’s global on & offshore conference
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.
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.
Registration now open for RE-Source 2018 – connecting renewable energy buyers and sellers
When: 20-21 November
Where: Amsterdam
The premier event for corporate renewable energy buyers and sellers to influence, educate and connect.
Preschedule a B2B meeting with leading clean energy buyers or providers such as Enel Green Power, Engie, Google, Microsoft, RES and Iberdrola today.
Almost 60% 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
Program released and registration open: 17th Wind Integration Workshop
When: 17-19 October 2018
Where: Stockholm
The 17th Wind Integration Workshop is part of the Grid Integration Week that features three highlight conferences in one week: the renowned 8th Solar and 17th Wind Integration Workshops as well as the 2nd E-Mobility Power System Integration Symposium.
With 110+ presentations in 23 sessions, the spectrum of topics of the 17th Wind Integration Workshop ranges from grid code aspects and power quality issues to ancillary service aspects and storage issues.
The program also includes special sessions such as a joint session on the IEA Wind Task 25 and the PV Integration Task 14 to present the highlights and trends from international collaboration on solar and wind integration. Moreover, there will be a session dedicated to grid forming and one that focuses on NEDO Wind Generation Forecasting Projects.
Beside the regular sessions the workshop week is filled with a list of accompanying events such as Tutorials, Poster Sessions and a Solar and Wind Dinner at the spectacular Vasa Museum – great opportunities for networking!
In the wind tutorial for instance, participants have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge regarding crucial renewables topics in an intimate setting. In intense presentations by specially invited experts they gain not only detailed knowledge but also a unique hands-on -experience. This year’s wind tutorial with the topic “Ancillary Services and Wind Power Plants: Status and Experiences” will take place on Tuesday, 16 October 2018.
For more information and a comfortable online registration, please visit:
