Keeping It Safe

THE EUROPEAN WIND INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

April 2013 Volume 32/No 2

INTERVIEW FATIHFATIH BIROL BIR Keeping it safe IEA Chief Economist Also inside: Governments and uncertainty Careers - top ten profi les Meet EWEA’s new President and CEO A WORTHWHILE UP TO 31% HIGHER YIELD INVESTMENT: WITH GENERATION DELTA.

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THE EUROPEAN WIND INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

April 2013 Volume 32/No2

letter from the editor 5 Changing times

brussels brieﬁ ng 7 interview 8 Fatih Birol, Chief Economist, International Energy Agency interview 11 Andrew Garrad, EWEA’s new president Q&A 15 Maritime spatial planning takes shape Global Wind Day 16 mini-focus 19 Wind energy sector faces uncertainty crisis ﬁ nance interviews 22 Cord Landsmann, CFO, E.ON Climate & Renewables Wolfgang Bischoff, CEO, Siemens Financial Services feature 24 Careers in wind: ten “most wanted” profi les wind worker 26 Liesbet Mijlemans, Head of wind consultancy, 3E Alejandro Saladanja, Commissioning manager for offshore, Alstom renewable world 29 Tackling poverty through renewable energy in East Africa focus 30 Keeping it safe opinion - Junior Isles 41 Making ends meet keeping up with EWEA’s blog 42 opinion - Adam Barber 45 Health and safety protects the bottom line Country focus 46 A closer look at… Ireland technology corner 48 Offshore wind engineers to the rescue? Wind Directions is published four times a year. The contents do not necessarily refl ect the views and policy of EWEA. review EWEA 2013 52 Aiming east in Austria Publisher: Thomas Becker Editor: Sarah Azau EWEA news 55 Writers: Sarah Azau, Zoë Casey, Chris Rose, Philippa Jones, Junior Isles, new members 56 Adam Barber Design & production: www.inextremis.be the last word 58 Cover photo: Stiftung Offshore Windenergie Thomas Becker, CEO, European Wind Energy Association Additional design and photographic input: Clara Ros, Jesús Quesada

WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 3 peace of mind For peace of mind when the health of your wind turbine assets is vital, NRG Systems offers a predictive health monitoring system unlike anything else on the market.

By Sarah Azau Editor

Changing times Photo: EWEA/Bickley

hange and adaptability are crucial in busi- picture and a short explanatory text. In addition Cness. The wind energy sector has evolved at to the usual vast array of activities and events a more rapid pace than most other industries in organised worldwide around the offi cial 15 June the past twenty years, with the technology getting date, this year Global Wind Day is also going bigger, becoming more effi cient and even going more viral than ever before with various online offshore. actions. Find out more from Chris Rose on p. 16. One constant, however, is the importance of One of the Global Wind Day actions calls for health and safety, particularly in a business like world and national leaders to make the switch to wind energy where workers are called on to climb renewables while phasing out fossil fuel subsi- turbines, take boats out to sea and understand dies. One of the highest profi le critics of fossil electrics. But what are the health and safety risks fuel subsidies today is Chief Economist of the for on and offshore wind? Are these growing as International Energy Agency Fatih Birol. In an the industry expands? And, what can we do to exclusive interview with me for Wind Directions, reduce risk? Zoë Casey navigates some of the is- Birol accuses governments which apply subsidies sues in this issue’s Focus, starting on p. 30. of “stealing money from the pockets of the poor”. EWEA is currently experiencing its own Read the interview in full on p. 8. changes, with a new Chief Executive Offi cer as Another Global Wind Day action asks for your of April, as announced in the previous issue of support for those who live in poverty in East Africa, Wind Directions, and a new President as of March. with no access to electricity. By donating to EWEA’s New CEO Thomas Becker – former negotiator on chosen charity Renewable World, you help improve climate issues for the Danish government – writes the livelihood of farmers in a Tanzanian village - and that wind energy associations across Europe all thanks to a wind turbine. Read more on p. 29. need to work together much more closely, speak- Birol also spoke memorably on the subject of ing with one voice, in the Last Word on p. 58. fossil fuel subsidies at EWEA’s Annual Event in Incoming President Andrew Garrad – who founded February, which was held in Vienna. He was one global renewable energy consultancy GL Garrad of many top speakers, including energy ministers, Hassan – is interviewed on a range of topics from CEOs and many others at the event, which was technology to government energy policy on p. 12. attended by 8,500 people. Read more on p. 52. On the other hand, change can sometimes be At EWEA 2013 I took the opportunity to talk to devastating. Notably for investments – imagine some of these high level industry fi gures. Two of carefully investing in a house only to learn that your them – Cord Landsmann from E.ON and Wolfgang mortgage repayments would double. Something Bischoff from Siemens Financial Services – were similar is happening around Europe to the wind interviewed around the thorny topic of fi nancing. energy sector as governments change support Have a look at p. 22. mechanisms, sometimes retroactively. I explore the And fi nally, back to the subject of changes… impact this is having on our industry on p. 19. Wind Directions is changing too! From now on we On a more positive note, the Global Wind Day will be producing four issues a year, and shortly photo competition – launched in February – is al- they will have a fresh new look, noticeably in the ready attracting lots of attention. This year it’s all electronic version of the magazine. The next issue about sharing our wind energy stories through a will be with you in September. ■

WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 5

| brussels briefi ng | Offshore wind sector could get more Barriers to internal structural funds under new strategy energy market still he LeaderSHIP 2020 strategy – which lending activities explored, primarily remain Taims to increase the competitiveness for projects related to green shipping, of European maritime technology - was offshore wind energy, and retrofi tting he lack of power market liberalisation presented by the European Commission • the feasibility of a private-public part- Tin many Member States is delay- on 20 February. nership on marine renewables could be ing the benefi ts promised by the EU Recommendations of particular explored by the relevant stakeholders Liberalisation Packages, EWEA warned relevance to the offshore wind industry with the European Commission recently. are that: • structural funds for the diversifi cation “The completion of the internal • European Investment Bank funding of maritime technology industry should energy market – initially foreseen by the opportunities should be promoted, be allocated into new market sectors European Commission for 2014 - will and possibilities for broadening its such as offshore wind. bring benefi ts for European citizens such as affordable power prices, lower carbon emissions and improved security of supply, yet structural market distor- Binding renewables target needed tions such as regulated prices and subsides for fossil fuels and nuclear n 27 March, the European This would allow Europe to replace fossil energy in many countries remain the OCommission opened the debate on fuel imports with a thriving European main obstacle to creating this market”, EU energy and climate policy after 2020 wind energy industry generating large EWEA’s Regulatory Affairs Advisor Paul - offering the energy industry the pros- amounts of zero-emissions renewable Wilczek said. pect of the long-term clarity and stability power and technology exports. EWEA was responding to a European needed for large, long-term investments. “Setting a binding 2030 renewable Commission public consultation on gen- The European Commission’s Green energy target would help the achievement eration adequacy, capacity mechanisms Paper on a “2030 framework for climate of the 2020 targets, by providing the wind and the internal market in electricity. and energy policies” presented 2030 sector with the clarity needed to make the EWEA urges the Commission to en- targets as a key policy option. necessary long-term investments, thereby sure Member States fully implement the “It is important to put long-term driving down the cost of capital,” Wilkes Liberalisation Packages and tackle the climate and renewable energy policies in said. existing market distortions. place, and the European Commission and The Green Paper was accompanied EWEA also highlighted the impor- Council already agree that an increase in by a report on national renewable tance of swiftly implementing the Target renewable energy is a ‘no-regrets’ option,” energy progress. For the fi rst time the Model (a model agreed by European said Justin Wilkes, EWEA’s Policy Director. Commission expressed concern on energy regulators, grid operators and “Energy policy debate over the coming whether the 2020 renewable targets will the European Commission for the inte- months will be crucial to Europe’s future. be met due to national policy changes. gration of power markets across the EU) “Member States must now join the This echoes EWEA’s concerns that and well-designed Network Codes (bind- European Parliament and the Energy and changes to support mechanisms are ing EU-wide grid management and power Climate Action Commissioners in sup- driving away investors and making it market design rules) to fully enable the port of a 2030 renewable energy target, more diffi cult and expensive to achieve large-scale integration of wind power together with a greenhouse gas target. the 2020 targets. into the electricity system, including a more secure energy supply and reduced costs for consumers. The Commission already announced Call for NER300 projects now launched it will publish guidelines for capacity mechanism design by the summer break. he second call for renewable energy The NER300 scheme is fi nanced by the These will be accompanied by guidance Tproject funding under NER300 was sale of 300 million emissions allowances on the design of renewable energy sup- launched on 3 April. from the EU’s Emissions Trading System, port schemes and followed by revised In order to qualify, developers must and renewables and carbon capture and binding guidelines on state aid for envi- apply in their Member State to be se- storage (CCS) projects are available. ronmental protection and environmental lected for co-fi nancing. Then the Member In the fi rst round, the lion’s share of support measures in the autumn. State will submit the selected projects to the funding went to 23 renewables pro- The European Parliament’s energy the European Investment Bank and the jects, including six wind energy propos- committee (ITRE) is currently preparing European Commission. als. Most CCS projects failed to secure an own-initiative report on ‘Making the The deadline for submissions from the necessary permits or additional internal energy market work’. the Member States is 3 July 2013. Member State funding. Read EWEA’s response to the consultation on www.ewea.org ■

WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 7 | Interview | Governments “stealing money from the poor” by subsiding fossil fuels

Fatih Birol, Chief Economist of the International Energy Agency and one of the keynote speakers at the EWEA 2013 Annual Event, talked to Sarah Azau on fossil fuel subsidies, the importance of predictable policy frameworks for renewables and the EU’s carbon price.

Secondly, they lock in the energy infrastructure of many emerging countries on an ineffi cient basis - people go for power plants based on ‘cheap’ energy sources and power plants once they are built stay with us 45 or 50 years, so infrastructure investment is made on the wrong price signals. Thirdly, many countries and governments say they have subsidies to protect the poor, but this is Photo: EWEA/Michael Buxbaum wrong - we have proven in our World Energy Outlook that 80% of this half a trillion dollars goes to middle and high income households, so it doesn’t help the poor at all. Governments are stealing money from the pockets of the poor, who would get money otherwise for schools, hospitals and so on. Looking at renewables subsidies, they are one- sixth of fossil fuel subsidies; if these renewable energy subsidies are used in a smart way they can help kick off renewables projects which would help us to reduce environmental problems and at At EWEA 2013 you criticised fossil fuel subsidies the same time help to improve the energy security strongly and called them the “public enemy num- of countries and help to get jobs in the renewa- ber one of sustainable energy development” Fossil bles sector. fuels get six times as much money in subsidies However I believe renewable energy subsidies as renewables, yet many people still believe the also need to be well designed and to provide contrary. Can you explain the discrepancy in reality the right incentive for the right projects, so we versus public perception? must be selective. I do not see the point of Fossil fuels get over half a trillion US dollars, and fossil fuel subsidies and just to repeat what I such subsidies have three major consequences. said at EWEA 2013, fossil fuel subsidies are the

Firstly, they lead to increase in CO2 emissions, number one public enemy of sustainable energy which is bad news for climate change, development worldwide.

Fossil fuels and your money

• Connie Hedegaard, EU Commissioner for Climate Action, has said: “Fossil fuel “Every time we spend $1 subsidising renewables, we spend $6 on subsidising fossil fuels.” subsidies are • According to the IEA global fossil fuel direct subsidies were worth $523 billion in 2011, but global renewable subsidies were just $88 billion. the number one • An April 2013 report from the IMF estimates that 2.7% of global GDP – $1.9 trillion – is spent public enemy subsidising fossil fuels. • According to the OECD there is an average of 16 fossil fuel subsidy measures per OECD country of sustainable – costing between €286 billion and €467 billion from 2005 to 2011. energy • In 2009 the EU spent €274 billion on fossil fuel imports – 2.1% of its GDP. By 2012, this had increased by €200 billion (70%). In contrast, wind turbines need no fuel – the wind is free! development.”

8 WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 | Interview |

And what would your message be to governments? policy they do not mean much, they are just a nice “Current carbon Governments which are subsidising fossil fuels phrase for decision makers. For real growth in and at the same time trying to increase the renewables the right policy is needed in terms of prices are not share of renewables are making a confused en- support schemes and the right design. enough to ergy policy and as such are giving mixed signals to consumers. My message to governments is The EU’s emissions trading system (ETS) has been change the two-fold: hampered by a very low carbon price. How can this decision of Firstly, phase out fossil fuels subsidies in all be corrected? Is carbon trading the best political countries in the world to provide effi ciency in the tool to reduce emissions? investors or market and the right terms for com- First of all the EU was the pioneer consumers.” petition for all fuels. “If governments to put the ETS in place therefore Secondly, renewables provide sev- they have to be congratulated for eral benefi ts for the energy system, are serious that, but as it stands now the price via well-targeted support schemes. about growing gives no signals for any investor to do anything. The current EU You have also said that “in think- the renewable carbon price is less than US$10 ing about how governments should energy share, per tonne and the subsidies given proceed in supporting renewables, to fossil fuels translates to about y should fi a predictable the rst and foremost pro- US$110 per tonne of CO2. This vide a predictable and transparent renewables gives an incentive to emit CO2, so framework.... This strategy should be it is a major discrepancy. There’s a backed up by ambitious but cred- framework is need to make a reform but it is up ible targets.” Could you give more needed.” to the countries to decide how the information on what you mean by a new picture would look. But clearly “predictable and transparent framework”? the current prices are not signifi cant enough to Energy investments in general, especially in re- change anything in the decision of the investors newables, are heavy investment projects. In order or consumers. ■ to secure the right investment framework giving a perspective to investors, the government must provide at least a general predictable framework. What is the International Energy Agency? But today I see renewable energy policies can create major confusion in some countries, with a The International Energy Agency (IEA) is an autonomous organisation, stop and go type of policy, and this provides not funded by its 28 member countries along with revenue from its publica- very good news for the renewable energy industry, tions, that works to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy. and it may well mean such unpredictable policies Founded in response to the oil crisis in 1973-4, the IEA’s initial role was would lead to a drawback from the renewables to help countries co-ordinate a collective response to major disruptions in industry in those countries. If governments are oil supply through the release of emergency oil stocks to the markets. serious about growing the renewable energy share Today, IEA encompasses the full mix of energy resources. It carries they must provide general guidelines for a renewa- out research, and provides statistics, analysis and recommendations. bles framework, which must be predictable, so Its major yearly report is the ‘World Energy Outlook’, which provides investors see a few years ahead. projections of energy demand, production, trade and investment, fuel by fuel and region, under several policy scenarios up to 2035. In the main EWEA is calling for 2030 binding targets for re- scenario in the 2012 issue, renewable electricity generation grows three- newable energy. Do you support this call? fold from 2009 to 2035. Binding targets depend on country positions. Former Dutch Minister for the Economy Maria van der Hoeven took What interests me more is what are the concrete over as Executive Director of the IEA on 1 September 2011. policy instruments to give a boost to investments The IEA’s 2012 annual budget was €26,612,600. It is headquartered in renewables, this is much more important. I in Paris. have seen many targets but without the right

WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 9

| Interview | “Wind energy will be in the forefront of economic recovery”

In March 2013, Andrew Garrad, former CEO of renewable energy consultancy GL Garrad Hassan, was elected as EWEA’s new president, replacing Arthouros Zervos. He spoke to Sarah Azau.

You have been in the wind industry since 1979. Wind energy technology has come a long way since then! What technology trends do you see happening next? What I’ve witnessed is an amazing transformation from what would be considered tiny and quite unreliable turbines to the huge machines of today Photo: EWEA/Bickley – I still feel awestruck by them! This transformation has concentrated on getting bigger and bigger – most of the engineering effort has focused on What we’ve achieved in 30 years is truly remark- size. I believe that, onshore, we’ve reached the able but if you look at a comparable industry maximum size, and the effort is now going into such as cars or planes, it’s clear we are still at making the turbines better and better, producing the beginning. cheaper and cheaper energy. The next step onshore is making “commodity” You wrote EWEA’s fi rst public policy document in turbines - mass production and systems engineer- 1991. How has the policy debate developed since ing. Some sites you can’t transport a turbine to then? because you can’t get it around the corner or If I look back it’s quite embarrassing because we under the bridge – so the practical limitations will were far too timid – the markets have massively make a difference. Onshore we can now maximise exceeded what we predicted. And, at the time, reliability, minimise cost and produce the cheap- I was castigated by the EWEA board for being est possible electricity. optimistic! We had no idea of real potential then, Offshore we’re just starting, and we have been only northern Europe was active in wind energy, quite successful, but lots of what we’ve done so now it’s the whole Union. Back then climate far is borrowing from our onshore experience. change was unknown, our main motivation was Once there’s recognition that the onshore con- ‘clean energy’. Since then climate change has straints no longer apply, engineering imagination been identifi ed as a global threat and we see will be allowed to run free and, in ten years, we renewables as a tool to mitigate it; more recently may see quite radically different turbines. security of supply has become key and, in paral- Onshore turbine design was driven by the need lel, we have created an industry employing lots to be good neighbours – so we have elegant, three- of people. Back then the policy was to fi nd the bladed, slow running turbines. The offshore limita- right mechanisms to get things started. Now it’s tions are not societal but costs and logistics. So I how to create a fi rm foundation for the industry can see quite radical changes coming to offshore for the future. turbine design. We will build offshore wind power To gauge the maturity of the industry we can stations, with turbines that may have two blades look at the attitude of the transmission sys- or even multiple rotors. In the Mediterranean or tem operators (TSOs) - in those days the wind “I’ve witnessed Aegean Seas we may even see large numbers of industry was considered a rather silly irritant. an amazing fl oating turbines which the industry is developing The approach of the TSOs was to say “They’re a right now for those Asian sites. bunch of eccentrics, ignore them and they’ll go transformation.”

WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 11 | Interview |

away”. Later, the TSOs were obstructive – wind future because of the basic characteristics of our energy was arriving, and they didn’t like it. Now, industry, we will be in the forefront of recovery with most TSOs, wind energy is recognised as an because we have an industry for the future. Now important part of the future mix and their ques- we have to maintain that foundation for growth. tion is “how do we accommodate it?” and for the industry it’s “how do we make wind energy look As EWEA’s new president, what is your vision for as much like a conventional plant as we can?” the Association in the next few years? The fi rst thing to grasp is that energy is politi- You regularly meet with many fi nanciers, and cal and renewable energy is especially political. the fi nancing issue is critical for the wind energy The horizon for energy planning fi ts very badly sector right now. What they are saying about the with the horizon for party politics. We need an industry? energy policy which transcends any party politics. Yes, I’ve spent a lot of time with lenders. Politicians must understand the potential damage Historically the main concern was the operational that can be caused by uncertainty. availability of turbines, the wind resource and the EWEA needs to fi ght immediately for the accuracy of cost estimates. Now the primary topic political framework stability that will allow proper is the stability of the market. The question is regu- investment in our industry. I see this work based latory risk. In the last month we’ve seen Germany, on fi ve pillars: the bastion of renewable energy consistency, 1. Retrospective changes in renewable energy suggesting – and I hope it won’t happen – that support mechanisms must be halted; this is they will make retrospective changes in the tariff. the fi rst and most urgent action to address. That scares the fi nancial markets. We can deal 2. We must establish a stable framework for with engineering problems but regulatory risk is a investments. spectre which haunts the fi nancial markets. The 3. A 2030 renewable energy target needs to reason is unrelated to wind: national governments be set to give confi dence. are saying we’ve got problems to address and it’s 4. We need to ensure that unnecessary very easy to change the incentive schemes and regulatory hurdles are removed; we need to tariffs for renewables – a soft option. It is easy fi ght our corner as part of the main body of to turn the incentives off. However, by the same European electrical sources as aggressively token it is easy to turn them on again! as our fossil and nuclear competitors. I believe there’s plenty of money around to be 5. Promotion of rapid development of the lent and that wind energy, from the technology technology. point of view, is seen as a good investment, so if This is an industry for the future, it provides there’s a problem with fi nancing it’s not to do with clean energy and new jobs in an industry which our availability to deliver but with general econom- will go on forever. My job as President of EWEA is ic nervousness and a worry about regulatory risk. to help make sure that the European industry is Tackling this regulatory uncertainty is the number ready for a rapid expansion in the medium term to one priority of EWEA. allow it to reach its full potential. We used to be called an alternative energy, How is the wind sector being affected by these now I see us as one of the alternatives just like regulatory changes, and how and when could it nuclear, coal and gas. Wind energy is a bright emerge from the crisis? spark in otherwise rather gloomy horizon. To some extent we were protected from the main front of austerity until a couple of years ago be- Would you like to add anything? cause of the importance attached to clean energy. I’ve been in this business for quite a long time, That has now gone - every nation is looking at its and part of my motivation when I resigned as CEO short-term cash fl ow. The problems we’re facing of GL Garrad Hassan back in October 2012 was are not linked directly to our industry but to the in order to spend more time on external things to global and European economy. It’s clearly a very improve the position of industry. I personally feel turbulent period for us as an industry and for oth- something of a debt to the industry: it has given ers. But if I look beyond 2013-14, I fi nd it impossi- me an exciting 30 year career and a business. I ble to believe in anything other than a very bright feel hugely lucky. future for renewables, especially wind energy. The Now I’ve turned away from internal matters rationale for the development of the wind energy and outwards to industry, to politics. I am coming “There’s plenty industry remains – the fuel is free and clean, it towards the end of my career and I have no need of money provides new jobs, it creates a new industry, it to be cautious. The last thing the Association boosts security of supply. That has to be good needs now is to be cautious – I hope this will put around news for all of us. We will suffer a couple of years me in a good position to be an enthusiastic voice to be lent” of turbulence no doubt, but we have a very bright for the industry. ■

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www.A2SEA.com | Q&A | “A sea space that is effectively planned brings down costs”

Offshore wind can face costly planning diffi culties and delays, but a new draft Directive from the European Commission’s proposes ways to reduce this. Zoë Casey spoke to EWEA’s offshore Regulatory Affairs Advisor, Anne-Bénédicte Genachte, to fi nd out more.

Currently Europe does not have an EU-wide plan- What does the proposed Directive say? ning system for its seas: why do we need one? The main purpose of the Directive is to promote A sea space that is clearly and effectively the sustainable growth of maritime and coastal planned allows greater certainty for investors activities. It obliges Member States to carry out in offshore wind, and certainty helps to bring maritime spatial planning in line with national down costs. Maritime spatial planning would and international law, and asks them to identify make it easier and quicker to obtain offshore operational steps to meet their energy, environ- wind farm licenses, since suitable zones would mental transport and fi sheries objectives for their Photo: EWEA/Bickley already be designated – this would also help sea space. Most importantly, it requires Member avoid the costs of delays to an offshore wind States to work together where they share a sea farm associated with planning diffi culties. basin, as well as to share sea data. Moreover, it would avoid confl icts with other sea users who would also have their zones Will the proposal run into opposition? demarcated. It depends on your point of view! Many other sea users are in favour. Fishing, dredging and the oil Sounds good - what are the latest developments and gas sector for example would also benefi t in this fi eld? from the greater certainty that sea planning would Maritime spatial planning does already exist – for give. Social, economic and environmental princi- example in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. ples are incorporated into the maritime spatial These systems work well, but an EU-wide plan- planning Directive, so stakeholders like WWF are ning system would allow for even greater coop- in favour since it will help to better protect the eration between Member States on offshore wind marine environment. farms that are located near to or across interna- The problem could come at Member State tional borders. The offshore electricity grid has level. Planning is a national and not EU compe- even more to gain since cables can easily cross tence so this Directive could be seen as interfer- through national boundaries, and an EU system ence. However, the Commission has been careful would limit the need for extra cables where EU not to impose measures on Member States and Member States can talk to each other and coop- this is considered to be a “light” Directive. erate. Really, it is all about working together to Member States are beginning to understand bring down costs and create certainty. that this is a good tool to help meet their national environmental and economic objectives. ■ What is happening at EU level? In March 2013 the European Commission published a draft Directive on “maritime spatial EU Directives: how does it work? planning and integrated coastal management” and negotiations with the European Council What is a Directive? and MEPs have already started. The Irish EU Directives lay down rules that must be implemented by Member Presidency of the EU is leading negotiations States in the way they see fi t by a certain date. National authorities have right now, but talks are unlikely to be fi nished to adapt their laws to meet these goals, but are free to decide how. by the time the Irish Presidency is over at the Directives are proposed by the European Commission and presented end of June. Then it will pass to the Lithuanian to the European Parliament and the Council – made up of the relevant Presidency of the EU to lead on this, although ministers of member governments – initially for evaluation and com- it remains to be seen whether maritime spatial ment, then subsequently for approval or rejection. planning will be one of their priorities.

WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 15 | Global Wind Day |

China Russian Federation Photo: Wang Xue Photo: Wang Photo: Olga Fedulova Many aspiring photographers from around the world have already entered this year’s competition

Mark your calendar: 15 June is Global Wind Day By Chris Rose

omentum is building for this year’s — will be one of the cornerstones of the turbines as a renewable energy are for me, MGlobal Wind Day which promises celebrations. Intended to underscore perfect symbols of a functioning, future- once again to help people discover wind, the many benefi ts of the emissions-free orientated union of man and nature.” its power and the many possibilities it electricity-generating technology, the photo One of the actions for Global Wind holds to change our world. competition encourages people who are Day this year features work being done Coordinated by the Global Wind Energy inspired, fascinated and captivated by the by Renewable World, the offi cial charity Council (GWEC) and EWEA, Global Wind wind to share their interest by submitting of EWEA and the UK-based charity of the Day will feature a plethora of online and a favourite photograph, complemented by renewable energy industry, which aims to real life events and actions designed to a text, by 5 May. More information can be reduce the gap between poor potential highlight the benefi cial power of wind which found on www.globalwindday.org, and have consumers of energy and a functioning is free, good for the environment, a job a look at some of the photos above for an market. creator, and limitless. idea of what’s been sent in so far. The organisation has supported the Last year’s Global Wind Day, which The fi rst prize winner will receive a introduction of a wind-solar hybrid system had the support of more than 50 partner €1,000 Amazon voucher. Second prizes of to power the Information Centre in a vil- organisations, saw more than 230 events €250 vouchers will be awarded by region. lage in northern Tanzania. The 1kW wind — from wind farm open days to workshops The winning photographs will be displayed turbine will also provide additional power to regattas to kite-fl ying to charity runs — in the European Parliament in Brussels in for productive uses outside the Centre. organised in 40 countries. June. They will also be published in the Read more on p. 29. As in past years, the Global Wind Day renewable energy newspaper “Recharge” In the lead-up to Global Wind Day, in 2013 will be sending the world the mes- and in Wind Directions itself. Prize winners EWEA is discussing with other organisa- sage that wind energy is a key solution to will be announced on Global Wind Day. tions the need for increased use of wind the looming energy crisis, our over-depend- Last year’s photo competition was power and other renewables in order to ence on fossil fuels and climate change. entitled “Wind in Mind” and people submit- help transform the global energy system But 15 June also promises to be fun, for ted more than 2,300 photos from over and mitigate climate change. As such, kids, families and anyone interested in one 40 countries. The global winner, Markus EWEA and others will be calling for much of the world’s most benefi cial and mysteri- Haslinger, was from Austria. Haslinger clearer support from all governments for ous forces of nature. took a photo of turbines at the Inning a radical shift to renewables with clear Although plans are still being made for wind farm in Lower Austria while paraglid- targets and timetables for increasing this year’s Global Wind Day, once again ing one morning. “I hope the photo can renewable energy. an international photo competition — help to sensitise people worldwide to the The social media campaign, which “Discover the stories behind wind energy” importance of wind energy,” he said. “Wind is still being developed and will run on

16 WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 | Global Wind Day |

US Bangladesh Photo: Doug Herr Photo: Mohammed Rakibul Hasan

UK India Photo: Susan Rowe Photo: Saugata Laha

Facebook and Twitter, will emphasise the installation of the wind farm on the The Wind Day was fi rst held in 2007, many opportunities that wind power and Moschkogel mountain. “I did not miss a as European Wind Day, organised by other renewables offer. single step of the installation – from road EWEA. The motivation was to coordinate For EWEA, Global Wind Day is on a building, to the production of the founda- a national event, organised by a central European level very tied in with the associations, to the cabling. The fascination for network of wind energy associations and tion’s “Discover the power of wind energy” me was how much one could achieve companies, in order to de-mystify wind campaign, which aims to educate people with these big turbines with sophisticat- energy and have fun while doing so. about different aspects of wind power. ed technology.” More information about Global Wind Day: EWEA’s website contains a large His story, and others, can be found on www.globalwindday.org ■ amount of updated information — in- EWEA’s blog: www.ewea.org/blog cluding graphics and fact sheets — that can be used to better understand the rapidly-expanding sector in advance of A virtual shout Global Wind Day. See: www.ewea.org/ wind-energy-basics/wind-energy-facts One of the best ways to be truly ‘global’ these days is harnessing the virtual force As part of its mission to help people that is the internet and social media. In 2013, there will be three online actions understand wind power and to promote linked to Global Wind Day for people worldwide to join in on – with just a click! Global Wind Day, EWEA has also been - Fossil fuels get six times more fi nancial support from governments than renew- collecting stories about people who work ables. Tell your government why renewables are the right investment for the future. in the wind sector. One of those is Erich - Make a pledge to Renewable World and help African farmers make a living (see Enikl, who works in the Moschkogel alpine main article and p. 29.) wind farm in Styria, Austria in turbine - Forget greenwashing – call on the biggest brands to walk the talk and become maintenance. ‘WindMade’ by using wind energy. Enikl said he got seriously involved More information on the actions: www.globalwindday.org in the wind sector in 2005-6 with the

WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 17 PA-XS

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Wind energy sector faces uncertainty crisis By Sarah Azau

wave of uncertainty is pummelling the EU’s not touch the far higher fi xed price fossil fuel pro- “Changes and Awind energy industry, as many governments ducers get. In a letter to EU Energy Commissioner try to manage the economic crisis by altering or Oettinger, EWEA made this point forcefully: uncertainty reducing their support for renewable energy. “At a time of economic downturn, the European make it much The government actions range from changes Wind Energy Association fails to understand how to support mechanisms (the system that defi nes reducing the feed-in tariff for domestic renewable harder for fi nancial support for renewable energy produc- energy production from €89/MWh to €80/MWh wind farm ers) to a general lack of clarity on what is likely to (10%), while maintaining a de facto fi xed price for happen to the policy framework that concerns re- fossil fuel based electricity, including from import- developers to newables. At times these changes are retroactive. ed gas, that is more than 25% higher (€101.5/ get ﬁ nancing.” All these changes and uncertainty dissuade in- MWh), can possibly contribute to the recovery of vestors, who look for long-term stability, and make the Greek economy.” it much harder for wind farm developers to get the In France, the government did not notify the fi nancing they need. European Commission of its support scheme for In Spain – one of the worst affected countries wind energy – a measure the Commission requires so far – the government at the end of 2012 ap- for all forms of state aid. The scheme is now being proved a 7% tax on all existing wind farms. It fol- referred to the European Court of Justice, and a lowed this up by suppressing the feed-in plus pre- decision is not expected until November. mium option in favour of a feed-in tariff – meaning Earlier in April, the Romanian government renewable energy producers get a lower price. published a draft emergency law which would fun- This decision “reverse[d] ten years of efforts by damentally alter the support mechanism for wind the industry to adapt to a market-based system power. Renewable electricity producers would allowing for the large-scale integration of wind have to bank part of their certifi cates (and hence power,” Heikki Willstedt Mesa, Energy Policies part of their revenue until 2018). In addition, new Director for the Spanish Wind Energy Association wind farms will now only get 1.5 certifi cates per (AEE) told EWEA’s blog at the time. MWh of electricity produced, instead of the previ- In Greece, the government in early 2013 intro- ous two. EWEA and the Romanian wind sector are duced a retroactive tax on renewables worth 10% working to engage with the government in order to of the turnover of wind power producers – thereby draw up a legal framework that will allow Romania undermining the economic viability even of exist- to meet its 2020 renewable energy target in a ing, functioning renewable energy plants. Yet it did cost-effective way. Another industry that has been severely The Greek government has introduced a impacted by government action is next door in 10% tax on wind farms Bulgaria. The Bulgarian government introduced a grid access levy for renewable energy producers in 2012. “This decision not only shatters investor confi - dence for the future but threatens the economic viability of €1 billion of existing investments and hundreds of jobs”, EWEA wrote in September last

Photo: iStockphoto year to EU Energy Commissioner Oettinger and

WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 19 | support mechanism changes |

Climate Action Commissioner Hedegaard. The For Gordon Edge from industry association European Commission replied to say it will pursue RenewableUK, the energy department has made EWEA’s complaint, and another positive signal the mistake of choosing an option that looked came out of a ruling on 15 March by a Bulgarian theoretically good but is far too complicated – court in favour of three solar energy developers leading to a lack of clarity on, for example, how which had appealed against the levy. exactly independent producers of electricity will In Italy, while there have been no retroactively actually sell the power their produce. applicable changes, the government is turning its “People say the RO [Renewables Obligation, the back on the many benefi ts of wind energy by in current support mechanism, ed.] is diffi cult, com- effect capping the market – the plex, unique to the UK. And it’s new tendering system in place being replaced by a system from 1 January 2013 sets a “Governments are which is diffi cult, complex and limit on the amount of onshore throwing away unique to the UK – and it is wind energy capacity that can therefore diffi cult to see how be added annually which is opportunties to create this is a signifi cant improve- about half what the sector has jobs and growth, cut ment on the RO”, he says. been installing in the last cou- Another issue is the timing ple of years. fossil fuel costs and of the proposal – which would The uncertainty crisis is tackle climate change.” take effect from November not confi ned to southern and 2014 – says Maf Smith, also eastern Europe. In the UK, the from RenewableUK. coalition government has made a proposal to “This is a critical point when industry would be switch from the current green certifi cate system delivering the 2020 targets”, he points out. “It to a feed-in tariff system with a top-up payment would especially be a risk for the offshore wind when market price is below a set fi gure and an ob- Round 3 which will deliver the most Megawatts and ligation to refund the difference when the market the contract values to secure UK manufacturing”. price is higher. There are some more positive stories. The Portuguese government, which the European Commission had recommended should “assess EWEA’s warningwarning [for existing contracts in renewables] ... the pos- “The fi nancial and economic crisis has provoked a wave ofof uncertaintuncertaintyy sibility of agreeing a renegotiation of the con- across the European Union since 2010,2010, with national governmentsgovernments tracts” came instead to an agreement with the makingmaking damagingdamaging retroactive changeschanges to policies and regulationsregulations forfor renewables industry by which developers would windwind energy.energy. This political uncertainty is deterrindeterringg fi nanciers and invesinves-- make a €5,000 contribution for each Megawatt torstors and has already caused job losses and nenegativegative fi nancial result installed between 2013 and 2020. announcements.announcements. “We pacifi ed the sector, made it reason- The European wind industrindustryy is deliveringdelivering the benefi ts ofof wind enerenerggyy able for the investor and we turned the page,” in the most affordableaffordable way,way, while proprogressinggressing towards competitiveness Portuguese secretary of state for energy Artur in a marmarketket conceived and developed for conventional technolotechnologies.gies. The Trindade told Wind Directions at EWEA’s 2013 industry is investinginvesting to brinbringg down the cost of wind enerenerggy, and alreadalreadyy Annual Event. hashas a ppositiveositive tractrackk recorrecordd iinn tthishis resrespect.pect. Nonetheless, with industry fears about the Wind energyenergy has created thousands ofof jobs in Europe - employingemploying effect of the uncertainty crisis and its shadow almost 240,000 people (in 2010). The European wind industry generatesgenerates across Europe growing, EWEA released a strongly exports worth €8.8bn (2010). Investments ffacilitatedacilitated by well-desiwell-designedgned worded warning to governments in early March. supportsupport mechanismsmechanisms helphelp drivedrive downdown costs – bothboth capitalcapital costs andand thethe The political uncertainty, EWEA said, “is deter- cost ofof fi nance - and will enable on-goingon-going reduction, and ultimately remove ring fi nanciers and investors and has already the need forfor specifispecifi c support.support. caused job losses and negative fi nancial result ThThee EU neeneedsds to more tthanhan ddoubleouble iitsts iinstallednstalled wwindind ppowerower to meet announcements.” its bindinbindingg tartargets.gets. This means installininstallingg over 12 GW per year fforor the “Wind energy has created thousands of jobs in next 8 years. 11.5 GW ooff wind enerenergygy capacity was installed in 2012, Europe - employing almost 240,000 people (in but installations are expected to ffallall this year and next. By scarinscaringg ooffff 2010). The European wind industry generates iinvestorsnvestors now,now, anandd ununderminingdermining tthehe return on exexistingisting iinvestmentsnvestments iinn exports worth €8.8bn (2010). renewarenewables,bles, EU natnationalional ggovernmentsovernments set tthemselveshemselves a mucmuchh more “By deterring wind energy investment, govern- diffi cult and expensive task for future years. ments are throwing away opportunities to create BByy ddeterringeterring wwindind enerenergygy iinvestment,nvestment, ggovernmentsovernments are tthrowinghrowing awaawayy jobs and growth in Europe, improve security of oopportunitiespportunities to create jobs and ggrowthrowth in Europe, improve security ooff energy supply, cut the cost of fossil fuel imports, enerenergygy supply,supply, cut the cost of fossil fuel imports, reduce pollution and reduce pollution and tackle climate change,” tactacklekle cclimatelimate cchange.hange.” concluded EWEA. Read the full statement, left.■

20 WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 | wind news |

AUSTRIA 5 MW high-speed drive trains in- SPAIN New concrete tower factory now stalled in China for CSIC (Chongqing) New rotor for ACCIONA’s AW3000 up and running Haizhuang Windpower Equipment turbine ENERCON has proceeded to series pro- Co., Ltd (HZ Windpower) are now ACCIONA Windpower announced in early duction in its new concrete tower factory successfully operating. February that it had launched a new in Zurndorf in Austria’s Burgenland state. More information: www.theswitch.com 125 metre rotor that gives its AW3000 The plant achieves a weekly output of 45 wind turbine superior performance at low- concrete tower segments for the E-101/3 GERMANY wind sites. A company news release said MW wind energy converter series. New 4 MW offshore wind turbine the AW 125/3000 model combines a More information: www.enercon.de has 63 metre long rotor blades 125 metre rotor with the AW3000 three- Siemens Energy launched in early megawatt wind turbine generator and BELGIUM February its new offshore wind turbine ACCIONA’s 120 metre concrete tower. DONG Energy has selected — the SWT 4.0-130. The new turbine More information: www.acciona.com FLiDAR to implement the latest features a generating capacity of four generation of wind resource megawatts (MW) and a rotor diameter of TURKEY measurement technology 130 metres. Software technology increases Benj Sykes, UK Country Manager for The new design is a further advance- output of wind turbines DONG Energy’s Wind business said: ment of the SWT 3.6 family. The rotor Zorlu Enerji Group has selected GE’s “FLiDAR represents a step forward in how blades are manufactured using Siemens’ WindBOOST service technology to we are developing offshore wind farms in IntegralBlade process. enhance the output of 31 GE 2.5-MW the UK.” More information: www.siemens.com wind turbines at the Gokcedag wind farm The CEO of Ostend-based FLiDAR, in Turkey. GE expects WindBOOST to Bruce Douglas, said: “We are delighted ROMANIA increase the wind farm’s annual energy to be working with a leading player like ERG Renew enters the Romanian production up to 4%. DONG Energy to further reduce the cost wind market More information: www.genewscenter.com and increase the speed of wind measure- Italian group ERG has announced that ment campaigns.” LUKERG Renew, the joint venture of ERG UK More information: www.fl idar.com Renew and LUKOIL-Ecoenergo, has com- Westermost Rough offshore wind pleted the closing for the acquisition from farm gets the green light CHILE Inergia SpA of a 100% equity interest in DONG Energy announced in late January Wind power and other renewables Land Power Srl, a company holding the it has decided to build the offshore wind developed in South American permits to realise a wind farm project in farm Westermost Rough in the North Sea nation Tulcea, Romania with a planned capacity on the British east coast. Enel Green Power announced in February of up to 84 MW. Westermost Rough will consist of 35 the Valle de Los Vientos wind farm is More information: www.erg.it turbines from Siemens Wind Power, each under construction in Chile. of 6.0 megawatts, with a total capacity of The plant’s wind turbines will have a SCOTLAND 210 MW. total capacity of about 90 MW. Planning consent given for 288 More information: www.dongenergy.com More information: www.enelgreenpower.com MW Kilgallioch wind farm IBERDROLA, through its British sub- URUGUAY CHINA sidiary ScottishPower Renewables (SPR), New 42 MW Minas wind power 5 MW drive train packages announced in February it had received plant to be built in Uruguay operating in Chinese offshore consent from the Scottish Government to Vestas has received a 42 MW order from wind project construct Kilgallioch wind farm. Akuo Energy for 14 units of the V112- The Switch, a Finland-based supplier The project will have an operational 3.0 MW wind turbine for the Minas wind of permanent magnet generator and capacity of up to 288 MW. power plant in Uruguay. full-power converter packages, an- More information: www.iberdrola.com More information: www.vestas.com nounced in early March that its fi rst Wind turbines erected at USA CEO of The Switch, Calliachar wind farm in RES Americas announces which is operating in Perthshire completion of Pennsylvania wind China SSE Renewables announced in late project February that the fi rst of 14 turbines had The 139.4 MW Twin Ridges Wind Farm been erected at its Calliachar wind farm located in Somerset County is now op- near Aberfeldy. erational, according to RES Americas. Jamie Meneely, Project Manager for The Twin Ridges Wind Farm con- SSE, said: “Seeing the fi rst turbine going sists of 68 2.05 MW REpower MM 92 up is a great result.” turbines.

Photo: EWEA/Alexandra Buxbaum More information: www.sse.com More information: www.res-group.com ■

WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 21 | Finance interviews | Money talk

The question of fi nancing is never far from the top of any agenda, particularly in today’s post- Lehmann Brothers world. At EWEA 2013, Sarah Azau caught up with the latest news and views on wind energy fi nancing with two experts.

Cord Landsmann, Chief Financial Ofﬁ cer, E.ON Climate & Renewables

Overall, how has the crisis impacted the fi nancing grid parity we won’t have to care about the PTC, of wind energy projects? because by then we’ll be able to invest without it. We are impacted of course, but it’s not so much The same is true hopefully in Europe – by due to the banking market because we are not 2020 at the latest wind energy should be com- relying heavily on debt fi nancing but still fi nance petitive in good locations. most projects from the E.ON balance sheets. In terms of offshore – purely in the North and E.ON will continue to put a major part of its Baltic Seas - we see good conditions, good load investments in renewables, but due to the overall factors. We need stable investment environments, fi nancial situation we have to keep an even support regimes and governments with a long- stronger fi nancial discipline. Other market par- term ambition. ticipants do the same. This is why we are more open than ever for equity partners to realise large What is your view on subsidies and the debate projects. about renewables versus much higher fossil fuel subsidies? How important is the political framework to an in- It’s not fair to say subsidies go only to renewables vestor? What impact have the changes to support – there are lots of studies which look at tax reliefs Photo: EWEA/Bickley mechanisms in various EU countries had? and other subsidies that go to coal, gas and nu- For me it’s important to have a stable regulatory clear. It is just that renewables subsidies are usu- framework, we need certainty for an investment ally more visible to the public. Overall, we have decision. If for a new project, the subsidy is to go no real comparison – it’s not a black and white down, we need to know – I’m a fan of reducing discussion. Right now it’s easy to invest in solar subsidies, but cuts can’t be applied for existing and wind, a supplier can calculate what return an projects. Such retroactive cuts are a key negative investor will make, so the pricing of turbines fol- for us and for the investors, and they are one of lows the subsidy regime in each countries. the reasons for why we have completely shifted Of course we want to see competition, it’s a le- our focus from southern to northern Europe. We ver to get costs down. We are interested in reduc- regard the north as stable – for example Sweden, ing the overall life cycle costs, so we work together Germany, the UK. We don’t think it is likely that with suppliers to get costs down collaboratively. the UK government will change their view completely, so we assume that, say, the UK’s Green Would 2030 renewable energy targets make a dif- Investment Bank should increase trust for inves- ference on the ground? tors. I have a hard time imagining the Spanish Targets are important. For example for offshore, government doing the same. given how long it takes to realise a project: If I sign a turbine contract today, the project will not be com- What about outside Europe? missioned before 2019, so looking at targets beyond Outside Europe, I’m a fi rm believer in the US mar- 2020 now makes sense in my eyes, again to provide “Looking at ket and the good conditions, high load factors, a stable outlook providing investment security. targets beyond making production by wind energy far cheaper. In the US, wind energy is very close to grid parity What trends do you see going forward – will the 2020 now [producing power at the same cost as power from banks come back on board? makes sense in the grid, ed.]. The PTC [Production Tax Credit – the The fi nancing and funding concepts are very industry’s main tax incentive in the US, ed.] has important – we like to highlight that we as a utility my eyes.” now been extended up to 2014 but once we’re at work with partners on the fi nance side which are

22 WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 | Finance interviews |

like-minded. Our idea is to build, then sell shares approach enables us to build more projects in in the project, while still operating it. This gives the same time frame by recycling our own capital investors an attractive long-term opportunity faster. At the end we have a nice portfolio and a at a time when not a lot of attractive projects continuous build programme, which you need to are around, given current interest rates. This really drive down costs and increase effi ciency.

Wolfgang Bischoff, Chief Executive Ofﬁ cer, Siemens Financial Services

Overall, how has the crisis impacted the fi nancing Furthermore they would need clarity on the of wind energy projects? off-take side for the energy. It is challenging to Generally, the outcome of the crisis has left a run and fi nance a project without PPAs [power number of scars on the industry – lots of banks purchase agreements, ed.] or some other form have reconsidered, reviewed their long-term of long-term contract. lending strategy, with EU banks retrenching or withdrawing from long-term project lending. There Which countries remain attractive and what do are always exceptions for key clients but generally you think of the retroactive changes to support fewer banks are interested. mechanisms in some areas of Europe? An exception is Japanese lenders who can still Currently the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, do long-term and some German banks. UK banks and to some extent France are countries peo- are restrictive for long-term lending, they can do ple look into; Scandivania and Poland must be shorter mid-term facilities, but that is often no named. ideal solution for project fi nance. Regulatory confi dence, a confi dence that For wind fi nancing in particular we have to see there is a feasible system at least for projects a split between onshore and offshore – onshore that are done, is at the basis of this industry. is more established, we can even see that banks This is still a subsidised industry and without Photo: EWEA/Alexandra Buxbaum who otherwise might not go for a long-term project that clarity, investors will be reluctant to enter can still do it. The sizes are often not as diffi cult, into 10-15 year fi nance. Every government or in terms of sums of money. Siemens Financial regulatory body needs to keep that in mind. Services (SFS) being now a strong lender in Europe, we can still offer long-term fi nancing, and What fi nancing trends do you see going forward? we are ready to apply it to good onshore wind That’s a diffi cult question - but we will see projects. a number of banks still active, and I would Offshore is a different story – there we see the include SFS in that game for debt or equity. complication not just limited to lending – it’s also It’s hard to say what capacity will be available: for investors, the construction risk and challenges, currently we’re not seeing dozens of projects a lot of players are not yet fully comfortable with coming onto the fi nance market every year in it. So the construction risk and the size of projects the offshore market – maybe one in UK, one are issues – it’s hard to get an investor-lender in Germany. In order to increase that, it will be group together. It’s fair to say the group of lend- critical to have additional money and lenders/ ers interested is smaller than for onshore wind. investors. Multilaterals and export credit agen- However, we are ready to act in offshore industry cies will be critical due to the size of offshore projects, be it as a lender or an equity investor. projects. Fifteen years ago it was possible to syndicate huge loans, with 50-60 banks. Now, it What would be the perfect project for an investor? is diffi cult. An investor or bank would like to see the text- I’m moderately optimistic we will get a solu- book case as much as possible – a turnkey tion, as long as the political will is there and “Regulatory construction contract which you rarely fi nd transmitted into a proper long-term regulatory [‘turnkey’ means the project is delivered com- framework and an acceptable minimum profi t- conﬁ dence is pleted, ed.] – so we see more multi-sourcing, ability criterion. I hope that as we get at the basis of which creates additional discomfort during the more familiar with offshore wind we will see construction period. more activity. ■ this industry.”

WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 23 What do employers want? Want to work in wind? Background in manufacturing and operations with supervisory experience, at least eight years’ directly related experi- Wind energy employers are looking for project managers, sales ence – previous work with wind turbines managers and engineers above all. preferred. By Sarah Azau 7. Control engineer – wind turbine s most Wind Directions readers know What do employers want? components Afrom experience, the wind industry cre- Knowledge of submarine and land cable What is the role? ates jobs. Currently, around 240,000 peo- system design, procurement and installa- Designs control engineering parts/compo- ple in Europe work in wind energy, directly tion. Experience with construction con- nents for wind turbines. Improves existing or indirectly, and the number is growing, tracts and team leadership. control engineering equipment. Takes new with over half a million jobs expected by designs to certifi cation. 2020. 3. Sales and account manager What do employers want? But while it’s good to know that despite What is the role? Degree in electrical engineering. Five the crisis, ‘wind is hiring’, what specifi cally Responsible for sales and development of years in turbine control engineering and do you need on your CV to make the CEOs key accounts. Can involve managing wind designing control engineering equipment. sit up? Greenfi sh, a specialist environmen- farm projects from initial steps to construc- Fluency in English and German. tal recruitment agency, researched the 10 tion permitting. most wanted profi les in the wind industry. What do employers want? 8. Onshore wind farm development “In the past few years, we have seen a Technical expertise and market knowledge. engineer growing interest in jobs in renewables and Client-minded, business and relational What is the role? wind energy in particular,” explains Lizhen intelligence. Ten to 15 years in a sales Assesses technical viability of wind pro- Xu, Senior Project Manager at Greenfi sh. environment, preferably in wind sector. jects, plans project stages and manages “But the skills gap and acute shortage of Multilingual; ready to travel. the implementing team of engineers. engineers make it diffi cult for companies What do employers want? to have projects implemented on time and 4. Project and offshore wind installation Experience in civil engineering; an appro- budget. engineers priate degree. Good communication skills; “The most wanted profi les are based What is the role? if possible understanding of specialist on three sources: responses to an EWEA Responsible for getting offshore turbines software. member survey, a review of vacancies installed, for the team’s work schedule online, and Greenfi sh’s internal data”, says and checking engineering work. Provides 9. Offshore site manager Xu. engineering technical support. What is the role? The results were presented at the What do employers want? Guarantees compliance with site specifi c “Careers Day” held at EWEA 2013, but for Degree in engineering or naval architec- arrangements to ensure safety manage- those who couldn’t attend, Wind Directions ture; fi ve years’ experience in marine, ment. Plans and coordinates site person- brings you the details. subsea construction and/or offshore nel and resources, carrying out installa- wind installation. Familiarity with offshore tion, maintenance and service tasks. 1. Senior project manager for offshore transportation and installation rules, and What do employers want? What is the role? relevant software. A successful track record working as Manages the team’s resources, controls supervisor or manager in an international budgets and reviews the terms and condi- 5. Production system engineer environment with customer and operations of consultancy agreements. What is the role? tional focus. Fluent English. What do employers want? Designs and studies the manufactur- At least fi ve years’ experience in wind ing process to reduce labour cost and 10. Environmental coordinator or an offshore sector. Stress-resistant increase effi ciency of process. What is the role? and good decision-making, planning, What do employers want? Ensures that site specifi c arrangements organisational and communication skills. Manufacturing or mechanical engineering de- are in place to mitigate environmental Willingness to travel. gree; four to seven years in industrial opera- risks. Supervises and coaches the operations management with a large international, tional teams in implementing the environ- 2. Experienced project manager for off- technological or industrial organisation. mental requirements. shore cables What do employers want? What is the role? 6. Production manager – wind turbine An engineering degree and seven to ten Ensures the implementation of cables-re- blades years’ experience in environmental man- lated projects. Responsible for the team’s What is the role? agement systems. Project management output, ensuring it is high quality, on time In charge of blade manufacturing. Ensures skills and a hands-on attitude. Ability to and on budget. quality and safety in production operations. motivate. ■

24 WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 Lighting

Submit the way

an abstract EWEA OFFSHORE 2013 19 - 21 November 2013 Frankfurt, Germany

Thousands of professionals from across the offshore wind industry will meet at this year’s largest offshore wind energy conference and exhibition.

Exchange knowledge. Do business. Be part of it! www.ewea.org/offshore2013

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Tuesday 19 - Thursday 21 November 2013 - Messe, Frankfurt, Germany | wind worker |

Wind worker

From underwater survey work to managing the operation of a wind farm, we meet some of the over 200,000 people who make the European wind industry tick.

Liesbet Mijlemans, Head of wind consultancy, 3E

What does your job involve? people in the different offi ces like now. In fact, That’s a tough question, it involves lots of things! South Africa in general is booming and there was I’m head of the global wind consultancy team at a very big increase for 3E in the last year – we 3E. Our headquarters are in Brussels, we have set up the Cape Town offi ce one year ago, and it’s other offi ces in Cape Town, Toulouse, Beijing and already a big portion of our turnover. We’ve hired one in Istanbul. But actually we work with clients more staff so that’s why I’m here to meet them, all over the world, onshore and offshore. Currently but this is fairly exceptional. we are doing a lot of work in South Africa and the rest of Africa, especially technical advice or How did you come to work in a job related to the due diligence for some of the bigger projects in wind energy industry? development there. I am the end responsible for I’ve been at 3E for fi ve and a bit years, I’d had everything the team produces. one job before in a completely different sector, To be more specifi c, I handle budgets, planning almost the opposite sector – I graduated as an and HR for the team, but above all I manage the engineer and was working for General Motors at commercial development of the team. the Opel production plant in Belgium. I am ultimately responsible for the quality and That job was very interesting from many defi nition of all the services our team delivers. perspectives, I was doing lots of people manage-

Photo: 3E We provide technical services and reports to ment of 30 guys of 50 years old, it was techni- project developers, investors, lenders, and public cally challenging and interesting. But I needed authorities. We also have a monitoring and O&M a job more aligned with what I believed in, so I planning software tool called SynaptiQ, which is went looking for that, and I became involved in connected to several wind farms in Europe, on the renewables sector. I found 3E and became and offshore. I make sure everything is top quality a wind project engineer doing all the studies. As and in line with our ISO procedure [ISO are inter- the organisation was evolving and changing, I national standards, ed.]. So I proof all the reports grew quite quickly into a team management role. of team, and the same for all offers and contracts I became team manager a year and half after I that go out. started, of a team of four. The team and the role I manage some of our biggest accounts and have evolved a lot since then. 3E as company clients, I spend most of my time trying to solve has also evolved a lot: we used to work primarily clients’ issues, and guiding them through their in our home markets, Belgium and France. Now projects and so on. the bulk of our activities are in emerging markets in Europe, in Africa. Right now you’re in South Africa and you say your team is in several countries - do you do lots of What is a typical day like for you? travelling? There is no such thing - it’s almost impossible to I don’t travel that much actually, although much plan a day - I get questions from clients, emails, of my team travels – for example doing site visits team members who need to discuss certain for wind resource assessments. Also, lots of the items. I’m in a lot of client meetings, and a lot of work we do these days is construction monitor- internal meetings. I liaise with the other teams at ing so we go on site for inspections and so on. 3E: our research lab, our software experts, and But those missions involve our technical experts, the teams specialised in wind and grids, to align “I needed a job whereas I don’t travel that much. our services and plans. But I don’t worry about I go to client meetings or conferences to meet the workload – I go to work and I know it will be I believed in.” new clients, and also spend some time with full and I won’t know what will happen!

26 WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 | wind worker |

What is your favourite part of your job? only come to my desk if there’s a problem – if That you have to be quite adaptable – as I things are smooth I don’t hear about it. said, I don’t know what’s coming up, and it can be frustrating but also interesting. There is a And the least favourite? range of questions and discussions in one day. In a way, it might be the same answer! I prefer not to work on one study for months 80-90% of the time I love that the job is with my head down. I like the versatility, meet- always changing - there are days when it can ing lots of stakeholders, from all the steps of be a bit much but mostly it’s exciting and the wind project development process. Issues challenging. Alejandro Saladanja, Commissioning manager for offshore, Alstom

What does your job involve? my fi rst job in Valencia with I prepare and organise the commissioning of a promoter for wind energy offshore turbines, I’m in charge of everything re- – this was 10-15 years garding their commissioning. Right now my team ago. I then joined Alstom – are here in Ostend, Belgium installing the second then called Ecotecnia, and Haliade 150 6 MW offshore wind turbine in real we pretty much covered conditions. everything so it was a really rich experience for me. At What is a typical day like for you? the beginning I was sup- I prepare the team, I recruit people, I prepare porting new developments the planning, also I’m coordinating the team’s - for example when we went jobs and preparing and planning the jobs. I also to Asia I was the only one receive some questions for tendering for future there. So then they asked projects regarding the commissioning part. Also me to be on this project most of the time I’m the bridge between engi- and I was really happy to Photo: Alstom neers and designers and our job. So I prepare a see this new offshore technology. I was involved lot of reports for the company. in the development, installation and commission- Right now in Ostend I am getting feedback ing of a turbine in Le Carnet in France, then I was from the teams, so they are becoming familiar moved to this, the prototype number two, and with this turbine, some of them are new with this here I am. model so I share my knowledge. We are based in the port, with three compo- Does that mean you do lots of travelling? nents ready to be installed, but there is much Yes I travel a lot, part of my time is in Belgium, to do at the commissioning stage before ship- part in Barcelona, and part in Nantes as we have ping the turbine, testing everything we can, it is some offi ces there. cheaper, faster and better to test everything we can here in port. So we’re pretty busy even though Do you work in a team? installation is not completed. Yes right now in a team of four people without This is a prototype so we are testing and counting subcontractors. re-testing same components many times – a commercial turbine would be very different. We tested What is your favourite part of your job? it in the factory but we have to make sure that Being involved in the most advanced technology during transportation nothing was damaged. in this industry, being part of these systems - it’s very high tech for the industry, working so close to How did you come to work in a job related to the the people who create and design these turbines. “We test wind energy industry? In university my specialities were in the production The least favourite? and re-test and transportation of electricity – the traditional The weather! It’s very tough, we have to be taking the same ways were gas, coal, oil - and I was curious about the boats and travelling to the site, the worst part this ‘new’ technology - wind turbines. That was 15 is that it takes one hour and a half to get there, components years ago, so I did some courses and at end I got it’s pretty tough. many times.”

WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 27 WINDPOWER is the Source to Find Your Business Solutions

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) is a national trade association representing wind power project developers, equipment suppliers, services providers, parts manufacturers, utilities, researchers, and others involved in the wind industry. AWEA also represents hundreds of wind energy advocates from around the world.

AWEA WINDPOWER® Conference & Exhibition is the annual focal point for wind professionals; it’s where serious wind professionals convene to grow their companies, ﬁnd real solutions to business challenges, learn from industry leaders and experts, discover the latest in industry products and services, and reconnect with colleagues and friends.

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Scan this code with your smartphone to learn more! | renewable world | Tackling poverty through renewable energy in East Africa For 1.3 billion people, electricity is but a dream. But with small wind turbines and solar panels, even the most isolated and poor- est communities can get powered up. EWEA supports the charity Renewable World, which works to make that happen.

By Fran Witt, Communications and Fundraising Manager, Renewable World

an you remember life before the inter- services. Renewable World’s implement- net? Before computers? These days ing partner, ALIN, has years of experi- C The wind-solar system has transformed the ence of building the capacity of remote it’s hard to imagine how we would survive village of Songambele without a quick surf, Google or Wikipedia rural farmers in East Africa through check. Yet for poor farmers, such as those increased access to information. This of Songambele, Tanzania, internet access assists poor farmers to share informa- can mean the difference between sickness tion and advice about resilient varieties and health, between profi t and loss. of crops to grow in arid areas; and gives That is why Global Wind Day in 2013 them access to market information so is supporting Renewable World’s work that they sell crops at fair rates. in Songambele, Tanzania, and its East The Centre offers fi ve computers Africa Programme. with an internet uplink as well as DVDs, CD ROMS and hard-copy leafl ets, story Renewable World - the offi cial char- The sunshine of the Tanzanian day powers boards and books. ity of EWEA and the UK-based charity of the lamps for the evening the renewable energy industry - aims to The Songambele Centre also enables reduce the gap between poor potential women to learn about family health and consumers of energy and a functioning provides young people access to addi- market. Global Wind Day is the day for tional educational support. citizens to discover the benefi ts of wind The key benefi ts that are starting to energy, organised by EWEA and GWEC. be realised for the poor farmers who Renewable World is working with a utilise the services offered include: regional partner, the Arid Lands Information • Increased disposable income Network (ALIN) to develop an information through improved cost savings centre (Maarifa Centre) for the vulnerable methods in farming; people of Songambele, 97 km from the • Improved sustainable agriculture The wind turbine town of Dodoma in northern Tanzania. The and natural resources management; will power fi ve model is seeking to reduce the “digital di- • Improved health through improved computers in the vide”, bringing opportunity to poor farmers nutrition; village information centre affected by climate change through com- • Improved literacy and numeracy puters and the internet access, powered by skills across the population; modern, clean reliable energy. Global Wind Day and Renewable World Renewable World has supported invite your company to support the the introduction of a wind-solar hybrid Songambele project and its programme system to power the Information Centre. in East Africa. The 1kW wind turbine will also provide To become a Corporate Supporter please email: fran. additional power for productive uses [email protected] or make a donation at outside the Centre. www.renewable-world.org/GlobalWindDay ■ Renewable World continues to promote capacity in business planning to establish successful income-generating services at the Songambele Centre, Farmers can now choose the best variety of including the sale of solar and biogas crop to grow and sell it at fair rates lanterns and the provision of business

WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 29 | focus | Keeping it safe

Working at height and in hostile maritime environments are just two health and safety situations the wind energy sector has to deal with. Zoë Casey explores the risks the industry faces and what is being done to reduce that risk.

Photo: Stiftung OffshoreWIndEnergie

il pipeline explosions, earthquakes triggering And yet, “wind energy does not have the same Onuclear meltdown and dangerous gas leaks – potential for catastrophic loss as something like the wind industry may not make the headlines in an oil and gas platform does, but a major incident quite the same way as other parts of the energy could happen if health and safety is not properly sector when it comes to accidents, but it is cer- managed,” Chris Streatfeild, Director of Health and tainly not accident-immune. Safety at industry body RenewableUK, said. An electrical fi re can occur; heavy parts can fall “Health and safety is the right thing to do,” from great heights; lifting huge unstable loads with said Streatfeild. It needs to be implemented to cranes could go wrong; transferring workers from “protect the people in the industry and the reputa- vessels to an offshore turbine in wavy conditions tion of wind power: it should therefore be stand- could be dangerous and, when an accident occurs ard practice,” he said. Wind energy is a relative in a remote wind farm, rescue can take longer. newcomer to the energy sector, and health and These risks can result in more serious ac- safety monitoring has taken place over the last fi ve cidents, but also slips, falls, cuts, bruises and or six years, but as yet, wind power has not taken a fractures – which, according to Stefan Hicke, Senior suffi cient overview of the health and safety agenda, Project Manager at Deutsche WindGuard, “repre- he added. sent the majority of accidents/incidents resulting in So what is the industry doing about the health lost time and money.” and safety risk? And, as the sector continues to

30 WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 | focus | Photo: Vattenfall/Ben Barden Photo: Vattenfall/Ben

Offshore farms are being built further out to sea, and if accidents happen they are harder to reach

expand at a pace, what are the plans for health and safety going forward? Energy disasters from across the spectrum

Wind power and risk: growing together? April 2010 – Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico: 11 dead and 4.9 billion barrels of oil lost to the sea creating a massive and costly As far as the energy sector goes, the industry is environmental disaster. young but, what is more, it is expanding rapidly. March 2011 – Fukushima nuclear accident: some plant workers seri- Growth rates over the last decade have been ously injured, killed or exposed to dangerous levels of nuclear radiation, phenomenal with just 23 GW of installed capacity signifi cant amounts of radioactive material released into the atmosphere, in Europe in 2002, rising to reach over 100 GW in ground and ocean. 2012. 2012 – Data from the German Staatliches Gewerbeaufsichtsamt – While this is news to be celebrated, rapid growth German government industry inspectors – found that from 2008-2011 brings with it signifi cant problems for health and there were 74 accidents and incidents in the German offshore sector in safety, said Claus Rose, Division Environment, the North and Baltic Seas, including one fatality. Health and Safety Offi cer at Siemens. March 2012 – The Spanish Wind Energy Association, AEE, release a re- On the one hand there is the human factor: port on the 2007–2011 period showing a fall in the number of accidents there are people who do not have the benefi ts of that led to lost time – in 2007 and 2008 some 408 and 472 lost-time ac- years of experience working in the industry – and cidents were reported annually, falling to 175 and 232 accidents in 2010 continually rising numbers of people are employed and 2011 respectively.

WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 31 | focus |

Photo: Stiftung Offshore Windenergie Photo: Stiftung Offshore Windenergie

Training sessions help offshore engineers prepare for any health and safety issues

in the industry, he said. In short, “greater man noting that onshore wind power now has over 20 hours give the potential for a greater number of years’ experience and a good understanding of accidents”. the health and safety risks has evolved. On top of that, Streatfeild noted that larger wind farms with bigger machines means the Sharpening up health and safety potential for accidents grows. And, the risk factor As yet, the industry as a whole does not have a gets even higher as we move further offshore into complete register of its health and safety record, bigger and bigger offshore farms in more hostile even though companies and associations do keep environments with turbines which could one day records, so the task of setting out wind power’s reach capacities of up to 20 MW. Echoing this health and safety record EU-wide is not an easy sentiment Rose said that every time you come up one. with a new product, the risk profi le increases until The same is true for offshore wind, Hicke said. you reach a level of maturity great enough for the “There is no such track record yet as we can fi nd risk to start falling. in the oil and gas business, all information is still But growth is not necessarily bad for health based on limited data and needs to be scruti- and safety. Flip the coin over and you see that, as nised carefully.” the industry grows, it is becoming more mecha- However, there is a general feeling that im- nised – and so risky activities can be carried out provements can be made – in particular as wind from the safety of a control centre - while greater power’s growth continues. economies of scale mean you can invest in reduc- Anne Marit Hansen, Health, Safety and ing risk. Environment Offi cer at Statoil, said that there are Bigger scale in more diffi cult environments a range of things that need to be done. “A number also means that the industry will be forced to of risks come from design,” she said. The design use more sophisticated contractors with greater quality of anything used in wind - from work boats experience including better emergency response and ladders to lifting equipment – “has the po- capabilities, better organisational capabilities and tential to be improved so that use will be safer,” more advanced equipment, Streatfeild said. she added. “We work hard to improve design as Growth of course takes place over time, and the a starting point. For example, we work very closely more years the industry has under its belt, the with turbine manufacturers,” she said. more “the risk factor decreases because you Claus Rose said that at Siemens, there are week- learn and get more mature over time,” Rose said, ly meetings with the CEO on the top ten risks and

32 WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 | focus |

Photo: Stiftung Offshore Windenergie

discussion about how to eliminate them – from accidents at work suffered by the wind energy “If we have an training to investment in design and updating sector is to monitor. “AEE considers it is impor- accident and we products. “Alternatively, if it’s too risky, we stop tant to know the main indicators of accidents in doing it,” Rose said. the sector as it contributes to the reduction of don’t share Effective and understandable training is the incidents,” the Association said in its 2007–2011 information, other key to improving health and safety. Siemens ‘accident rates report within the wind energy rely on a system of continuous training related sector’. that hurts the to need including management, use of tools, industry.” personal safety and others. Training includes fi rst Working it out together aid, working at height, fi re awareness, offshore “If we have an accident and we don’t share sea survival, electrical and mechanical safety information, that hurts the industry,” said Rose training and others. It is designed to “make sure highlighting the importance of working together people are safe and competent on a wind farm to spread information and bring down the level of or manufacturing site,” Rose said, adding that risk across the industry. “managers need to embed safety as part of their everyday work.” Top ways to improve health and safety Michael Reich Walber, Head of Operational Safety at RWE Innogy, agrees that there needs Communication – having a strategy in place so that all workers know to be a “clear and strong commitment from the what to do when something happens. management of the involved companies, including Sharing information – on a sector basis, the more information is shared, clients and contractors.” His company adopts a the more companies and organisations can learn from each other. similar approach of job-appropriate in-house train- Training – workers with the correct levels of training will be safer than ing, as well as external training. those with sub-standard levels. Training providers must also make sure that Competence – making sure workers have understood their training. trainees have learnt and understood the infor- Design – making sure that health and safety is incorporated into design mation. “Training does not necessarily mean at the very earliest stages of a wind farm. competence, and responsibility resides with the Harmonising procedures – companies and organisations that speak the employers to make sure things are understood,” same health and safety language leads to a smooth transfer of workers Streatfeild said. on an international level, wasting less time and money. Meanwhile Spanish Wind Energy Association Positive attitudes towards health and safety in the work place. AEE says that one way to reduce the rates of

WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 33 | focus |

higher on a national level in some countries. “The GWO is a success story – we have a training standard, it’s public, we have accredited training centres and the organisation is now recognised as something,” Rose said. Meanwhile, another group – the G9 compris- ing Statoil, Centrica, DONG, E.ON, Scottish Power Renewables, RWE, SSE, Statkraft and Vattenfall – is also working on disseminating health and safety-related information. Anne Marit Hansen, who is the Chairperson of the Health, Safety and Environment focal group of the G9, shared Rose’s and Streatfeld’s desire to spread information. “It’s important to work together as an industry,” Hansen said. “The G9 was established two years Electrical fi res are ago to improve health and safety and reduce the one of the main risk to industry because we believe that sharing health and safety information reduces risk.” risks in wind power Photo: EWEA “Risk has reduced over the last two years but it is still too high compared to other parts of the energy industry. We are not pleased with the level And various efforts are underway to share of risk,” Hansen said, adding that the G9 is also information. Rose heads up the Global Wind working on preparing health and safety guidelines. Organisation (GWO) - an informal group of turbine manufacturers and utility owners – the designers Need to standardise requirements across and operators – who know about the risks based Europe? on factual evidence and have developed a think- While there is a general consensus on the need to ing on the “right thing to do” which is embedded share experiences and learn together, opinion dif- in experience, Rose said. fers on how health and safety in the wind industry The GWO – composed of Vestas, Siemens, should be dealt with at European level. Suzlon, REpower and DONG - was launched in Rose would like to see the European 2009. Last year it launched its publically-avail- Commission come up with an EU standard for able Standard for Basic Safety Training which baseline requirements. “A common EU agree- covers fi rst aid, manual handling, fi re awareness, ment would help us cope with the demands from working at height and sea survival. different countries which can be confusing and Rose classifi es the GWO Standard as the “ac- generate more time off when individuals need ceptable bench-line in training”, while also recog- more training – we do not necessarily have the nising that legal training requirements could be set man power to deal with this” he claims. An EU-wide standard drawn up with close industry cooperation would be an improvement Ofﬁ ce to offshore: health and safety at work on national guidelines which are often designed by government offi cials or professors who have EWEA is an offi cial partner of the European Agency for Safety and Health no fi eld experience. “Please ask the industry!” at Work - EU-OSHA - in its campaign for healthy work places. EU-OSHA’s Rose said. aim is to raise awareness and disseminate information on the importance Reich Walber concurs that there needs to be of worker’s health and safety for the EU’s social and economic stability “clear, understandable and harmonised health and and growth. For more information visit: https://ohsa.europa.eu. safety standards across Europe – or even better, “Good H&S management, at all levels of the organisation, results in worldwide.” a reduction of occupational accidents,” Marian Georghiou, Health and Meanwhile, Streatfeild recognises the benefi ts Safety Offi cer at EWEA, said. “A fall in the costs associated with an ac- of harmonisation but does not believe it necessary cident allows more money to be available for design, development and to have an EU framework for wind power. “Other accident prevention,” she said, adding that “a company that is committed frameworks are adequate,” he says, adding that to the health and safety of its employees sees an increase in productivity more health and safety requirements do not neces- due to better work force morale.” sarily improve the overall level of safety. “In addition, it gains a good reputation, both as employer and as- At the same time, Hansen said that where differ- sociate. EWEA strongly supports EU-OSHA and the Healthy Workplaces ent countries have different training standards and Campaign, encouraging our members to invest in health and safety, sav- requirements across Europe, there is greater risk ing time, money and most importantly, lives.” when you move people as it adds complexity and can be confusing.

34 WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013

| focus | ck c o t sto n ink Th to: o Pho Ph

High visibility jackets and hardhats - health and safety in action on a wind farm site

Reich Walber was even more frank. “To be honest, internationally, and it will make it easier for com- it is hard to understand why it is so diffi cult to panies to work together since they would have achieve a common pan-European understanding similar practices,” Georghiou said. of the risks and appropriate measures to mitigate Her thoughts were echoed by Hicke: “com- these risks in health and safety,” he said. bining an industry approach with a legislative “Consider medical checks for example. It process will lead to improving best practice. This should be possible to agree standards which will improve the health and safety for the people ensure that the medical examination workers working in wind, as well as securing the billion get in their home country are accepted in the Euro investments lying ahead of us,” he said. other European countries the workers move to,” said Reich Walber. “The European oil and gas Spinning out of control? industry has demonstrated this is possible with So what happens when a wind energy accident makes the Hardanger Agreement [in 2000 North Sea it into the media? “Wind turbine failure is often over- offshore oil and gas operators in the UK, Norway interpreted by media,” said Streatfeild. The media and the Netherlands signed a reciprocal agree- often get hold of information on a small accident ment which states that a valid medial certifi cate where there has been no risk to the general public and in one country will be valid in the other two it becomes seemingly signifi cant news, he said. “But countries – ed.] We, in the wind industry, should the risks in wind power are less when compared to follow.” other industries.” Marian Georghiou, EWEA’s Health and Safety Rose gave a similar point of view, saying that Offi cer, explained that even though currently media pick-up of a wind power related accident is there is no EU framework for wind, EWEA and its rapid. “There was a fi re in early March in Denmark members aim to maintain and further improve the when a turbine blade mould caught fi re in a fi eld level of health and safety by working together on outside a factory. The media could see the smoke industry best practices. – it was a small incident quickly under control, but “The benefi ts of harmonised guidelines in local media it was very big,” he said. are clear: no money will be spent and no time When it comes to accidents, having a strategy will be lost in retaining workers transferred for crisis management communication – both

36 WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 | focus |

internal and external – is vital, Rose said. “It is There can be up to 150 vessels working on important to know who does what when. It’s not an offshore wind farm at one time our daily work but we have had to use it – from serious to minor incidents,” he said. A system must be in place “in order to inform the necessary parties including customers, the industry, legal parties, government offi cials and the media – they are all waiting for answers,” he added. “In the case of the mould fi re and the media pick-up, we decided to issue a press release in order to be open and dispel potential myths.”

Making human and fi nancial good sense Health and safety is a necessary topic in whatever part of the wind industry you work in, and it makes

both human and fi nancial sense. Photo: Jan Oelker-Offshore-Stiftung

Offshore – a risky business?

Compared to its onshore counter-part, the offshore wind industry is satisfi ed. However there have been some minor injuries which have young and inexperienced in health and safety. There are many ad- a human and time cost,” said Hansen. ditional health and safety concerns related to working at sea. Reich Walber also does not see health and safety becoming “Working offshore means working under tough conditions: being more of a concern in the future. “Have a look at the involved compa- out at sea exposed to harsh weather, working and living in a remote nies – they are well established in the energy business – for a long location, working long shifts and away from the common onshore time now – and they have demonstrated a high level of performance infrastructure when it comes to support in general or rescue in the in safety,” he said. “The experiences available in these companies case of accidents,” said Stefan Hicke, Senior Project Manager at have been and will be used further to master the various challenges Deutsche WindGuard. in the offshore wind business,” he added. Going offshore requires many vessels, creating the possibili- “Sharing information between all involved parties is important ties for serious incidents. At any one time there can be up to 150 due to the joint objective to develop offshore wind into a fi rst-class vessels working on an offshore wind farm, said Hansen. Moreover, safety business, generating a positive reputation,” Reich Walber marine operations involve heavy lifting plus there are risks related to noted. people working in small remote teams, she added. For Streatfeild, training is the most complex element of offshore For Michael Reich Walber, Head of Operational Safety at RWE wind’s health and safety. RenewableUK have already published Innogy, the level of experience in offshore wind turbine design and guidelines on offshore wind power, jack-up barges, fi rst aid at sea, construction is still low, creating scope for greater risk. and the industry body will soon be turning its attention to far off- Broadly speaking, as offshore projects are getting larger and shore medicals. even further offshore then the risks involved and the technical chal- The Crown Estate meanwhile – the owner of more than half of lenges increase, Hansen said. the UK’s near-shore seabeds and almost all of the seabed out to Moreover, when it comes to rescue procedures, “for projects the 12 nautical mile limit, and leaser of the bed to offshore wind under construction in German waters the development of emergency farm developers – is working on vessel safety and personal safety response procedures remains a big challenge as we do not have the at sea. many years of experience like offshore oil and gas,” Hicke said. For Hansen, offshore wind power has a lot to learn from the “Today, the transfer of staff and material probably poses the offshore oil and gas industries. “Offshore wind will be increasingly highest risk,” he said, adding that different transfer systems are now like offshore oil and gas in terms of health and safety. We can learn being tested – with both vessels and helicopters. and take advantage of the now high safety level in offshore oil and However, “the complexity of such projects means you cannot gas,” she said. actually carry out the project without an advanced level of organisa- However, Georghiou noted that offshore wind power is relatively tion,” Hansen said. “Real risk might even be reduced because of new, and although processes and practices can be learnt from other this because you might be able to fi lter out companies unable to sectors such as offshore oil and gas, we need to understand that carry out these complex projects, leading to an advanced portfolio of there are differences. companies,” she added. Rose noted that “offshore wind is not the same as oil and gas. “Statoil have not been in the offshore wind business for very For example there are around fi ve or six vessels working on an oil long, and yet we’ve not had any serious accidents and we are very rig, while a wind farm can often have 80 vessels,” he said.

WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 37 | focus |

Working at height, particularly offshore, requires correct health and safety procedures to be in place

PhoP ototo:o: VVeestastt s

For Hansen, in addition to the human cost, it Why and what is EWEA doing about health and safety? also boils down to money. “We will not be able to fi nance a complex project without good health Marian Georghiou, EWEA’s Health and Safety and safety,” she said. Ofﬁ cer, highlights the main areas of EWEA’s work. Streatfeild stressed that “good health and Health and safety is the highest priority for the wind safety is good business – it will reduce costs industry and an important area of work for wind and avoid unnecessary costs such as retrofi t- power. We are working on developing Europe-wide ting.” With “good planning, design and safety best practice health and safety recommendations, design you can avoid unnecessary delays in par- as well as hosting and spreading information about ticular offshore where health and safety related standards and recommendations adopted by other hold-ups can lead to delays costing thousands of Photo: EWEA/Bickley bodies such as the Global Wind Organisation. pounds per day of delay,” he said. We are also providing an overview of existing collaborative projects For Rose, good health and safety “can make across Europe and aim to collect incident data from the wind industry you prosperous”. “It earns money to have health across the continent. Meanwhile, we are working towards carrying out and safety under control, if not you spend a lot reviews of national health and safety regulation across Europe, aiming to on gaining what you have lost,” he said. see what level of harmonisation is appropriate for the industry, as well as “Don’t look at health and safety as a negative identifying differences between countries. – investing in health and safety can reduce costs The wind industry needs to be united and EWEA acts as a European in the long run,” Streatfeild added. “For exam- health and safety platform, bringing coordination within the industry as ple, basic, regular inspections allow potentially well as encouraging communication between the wind industry and exter- serious problems to be rectifi ed before they can nal organisations, such as the EU Institutions and national authorities. develop.” Most of our work on health and safety is based on collaboration with Moreover, the risks in the wind industry are our members through EWEA’s Health and Safety Task Force which con- entirely manageable, and the industry must sists of health and safety managers with a wide variety of expertise. recognise the benefi ts and cost benefi ts, he A number of organisations in Europe are already doing remarkable stressed. work to improve health and safety in the wind industry. But how do we “Wind power is a very signifi cant energy avoid duplication? producer; we should accompany that with com- We respect everyone’s efforts on health and safety, we learn from munication on the positives of good health and each other and also from other industries, we work together because two safety,” Streatfeild said. ■ heads are better than one and we avoid duplication through good communication, coordination and by having a common goal: zero accidents.

38 WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 West of Scotland - Greenock, Inverclyde - Ports, Infrastructure & Connectivity

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For further details, please contact Neil Lochiel at Riverside Inverclyde. Tel: +44 (0)1475 755080 or check out our website and our videos at: Inverclyde is one of Scotland’s 32 unitary authorities and includes the towns of www.riversideinverclyde.com/renewables Greenock, Gourock and Port Glasgow. EWEA’s series of technology workshops continues in 2013:

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EWEA teams up with the experts to deliver technology workshops which leverage the know-how of the industry at large. We listen to our members to develop high quality events at the best value for money. | opinion |

Making ends meet

ough times usually call for tough decisions, as unemployment through job creation in a relatively Tthe EU budget cuts demonstrated. new and rapidly growing technology sector. In February, the EU heads of government set In his last speech as President of EWEA, the EU budget for the 2014-2020 period at €960 Arthouros Zervos noted: “The wind industry can billion – more than 6% less than proposed by the be a driver for growth, for jobs and exports…” European Commission. Notably, it was the fi rst But there was a caveat: “… if government poli- ever EU budget cut and one that will impact EU cies do not drive away investors.” energy policy. Zervos, who was speaking at the annual EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard EWEA conference in Vienna, warned of “sudden hailed the budget as “an incredibly important day” or retroactive changes to support schemes”, for Europe and for the fi ght against climate change. which do little to promote investor confi dence. By Junior Isles “European heads of state and government have And here lies the crux of the problem. It is not taken up the Commission’s suggestion to commit so much the fact that support schemes at least 20% of the entire EU budget from 2014- are being reduced but more so in how Junior Isles is the Editor-in- 2020 to climate-related spending,” she said. they are being reduced. Chief of The Energy Industry y Spain ratifi The integration of climate action into all main In Februar ed plans to Times newspaper and an spending areas is certainly progress but it is not all impose retroactive revenue cuts worth Energy Media Consultant with good news for wind, and renewables in general. €300 million to the country’s operational Man in Black Media. Vilma Radvilaite, EWEA Regulatory Affairs wind farms. According to the Spanish Advisor, commented: “The EU is underfunding wind association AEE, the scrapped renewable energy research and grid connections subsidy mechanism supported more than 80% – which are crucial for achieving EU climate and of the country’s near 23 GW of installed wind energy policy – while leaving other budget areas capacity. largely untouched. It will open up a gulf between AEE predicts the move will see the sector’s in- EU priorities such as renewable energy policy and come reduced by around €600 million this year, the EU budget.” representing around 15% of its turnover. It also No doubt the decision to leave the budget noted that it is “a grave decision” that will not for the nuclear fusion project, ITER, unchanged only impact the sector, but also the whole coun- at €2,707 billion is highly questionable. The try by placing constraints on future investment prospects offered by fusion justify some level of decisions owing to a breach of the principle of continued funding. However, with economies facing legitimate expectations. almost unprecedented diffi culties, a cut in funding Most will agree that support schemes in the development of a technology that always seems form of subsidies should be phased out, regard- 50 years away from commercialisation is perhaps less of the technology, but in a progressive man- in order. At the same time the 23% increase in ner that is clear for all to see. funding nuclear safety and decommissioning As Fatih Birol, chief Economist at the comes as no surprise post-Fukushima. International Energy Agency said at EWEA 2013: Reduced support for renewables and grid “The main barrier is not the predictability of the connections may be undesirable but it is perhaps wind but the predictability of government policy.” unrealistic to expect that renewable investment Unfortunately, the lifecycle of a power project would escape the EU’s austerity measures. The will never be as short as the term of an elected “The main worst of the economic crisis may be behind us but government, and so there will always be a level barrier is not the picture ahead can hardly be described as rosy. of policy uncertainty throughout a project’s life- Europe’s economy is expected to remain stagnant time. Nevertheless, rather than looking purely at the predictability in 2013 and more than 26 million people remain the cost of support mechanisms, governments unemployed – over 11% of the bloc’s population. would do well to carefully assess where there of the wind but Yet it has also been argued that investing in are opportunities to kill two birds with one stone the predictability renewables could essentially ‘kill two birds with and perhaps cut some slack to areas where one stone’. While helping the EU meet its cli- they can make several ends meet – especially in of government mate change targets it would also help reduce austere times. ■ policy.”

WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 41 | best of blog | Keeping up with the blog Do you follow the EWEA blog on www.ewea.org/blog? Updated several times a week, the blog covers news and opinion on a variety of topics linked to wind energy. Below, blog editor Zoë Casey selects three top stories from the past couple of months.

Renewables dominate headlines in Germany,

UK, France By Julian Scola, EWEA

Photo: EWEA/Bickley t seems that energy policy has never been such biggest shadow Ia hot topic – at least judging by the huge media over Scotland’s attention it is now receiving. renewables industry Recently we have seen a blizzard of European is cast by independ- media coverage of energy policy – with wildly differing ence” potentially perspectives, and arguably also in quality of reasoning. making it harder for In Germany, Environment Minister Peter Scotland to export Altmeier is strongly criticised in the heavyweight electricity generated Zoë Casey picks her Suddeutsche Zeitung for “misleading” statements by renewables to favourite blog posts from on the cost of renewables. It is claimed he exag- the English market. the past two months gerates the cost and is not helping his country’s Meanwhile Photo: Thinkstock transition from nuclear to renewable energy. French newspaper ‘Le Figaro’ prints an opinion Suddeutsche Zeitung accuses the Minister of article condemning the alleged cost of reducing creating uncertainty and fear. nuclear energy’s share of electricity production In the UK the Daily Telegraph reports that an from 75 to 50% in France, and replacing it with MEP has published a book attacking wind energy in renewables. A previous article by the same author Scotland. The newspaper highlights claims in the was called “Nuclear, a responsible and consid- book about the amount of rental income gained by, ered choice”. A very different view of nuclear is often aristocratic, landowners from wind turbines presented in a Guardian article reporting on the erected on their land. The Times reported that “the long-term price guarantees the nuclear industry is MEP’s views remain outside the political main- seeking from the UK government. stream north and south of the border”. The book-writing MEP attacks the idea of mak- (Published 22 February 2013) ing Scotland “the Saudi Arabia of renewables”, an Zoë says: The media frequently reports on wind idea The Economist sees as “not too far-fetched.” power. Here, Julian Scola, EWEA’s Communication For The Economist, Scotland’s renewables indus- Director, picks out a few of the differing perspec- try is a strength, and the paper worries that “the tives from across Europe.

Governments are endangering European jobs

and growth By Christian Kjaer, EWEA, CEO [at time of publishing]

nvesting in wind energy makes absolute eco- Reduces the cost of importing fossil fuels. Wind Inomic sense. energy avoided €5.71 billion of fuel costs in 2010. Europe’s ageing power plants need replacing. Reduces the risks of Europe being dependent It makes economic sense to replace a growing on other countries for its energy. proportion of those conventional power plants Costs no more – and soon less – than conven- with wind energy. tional power sources. Today, production cost of a wind This is because wind energy does the farm on land is broadly cost competitive with building following: a new coal or gas power station and the electricity Creates jobs and economic growth in Europe. costs are half of those from a new nuclear power 238,000 people worked in EU wind energy in 2010. plant. And that is in a situation in which some of the

42 WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 | best of blog |

environmental and health costs of extracting and result announcements.” burning fossil fuels are not covered by power produc- We conclude that “By ers and therefore not included in the price of energy. deterring wind energy Reduces the risk associated with rising fossil investment, govern- fuel prices. ments are throwing away Photo: Thinkstock These are fi ve reasons why it makes economic opportunities to create sense for EU national governments to achieve the jobs and growth in legal requirement they made to get 20% of their Europe, improve security energy from renewable sources by 2020. of energy supply, cut But governments are making it unnecessarily dif- the cost of fossil fuel fi cult and expensive to achieve that legal obligation. imports, reduce pollu- How? Through political campaign rhetoric that ago- tion and tackle climate nise fi nanciers into raising the cost of capital, and by change.” introducing retroactive changes to wind energy policies Ignore the warning at for those that have invested on the basis of the regula- Europe’s peril. tions in place when the investments were made. That is why the European wind industry – through (Published 11 March 2013) the European Wind Energy Association – is publish- Zoë says: EWEA released a hard-hitting and widely ing an unparalleled statement warning against the reported statement - reproduced on p. 20 of this maga- “wave of uncertainty” sweeping across Europe. zine - on how European governments are endangering The statement warns that “This political uncer- the wind sector – and hence the huge beneﬁ ts of wind tainty is deterring fi nanciers and investors and has power – through changes to their support schemes. already caused job losses and negative fi nancial This blog sets the scene behind the statement. US wind energy is now more economic than nuclear power – Bloomberg By Chris Rose, EWEA

o much wind energy is now being generated in power in the Midwestern d ld eld e fi the US that the emissions-free electricity-gen- electricity market. fi S efi e k ak a erating technology may seriously erode the nation’s It added that “the rak ra

nuclear power and coal sectors, the Bloomberg wind power boom has mB m B o To T

benefi : news agency reported Monday. ted consumers o to: to t o

Headlined “nuclear industry withers in US as in regions where wind ho h Pho P wind pummels prices,” the story interviewed utility development is fastest, experts talking about the state of the American en- contributing to a 40% ergy sector after the nation’s wind power industry wholesale power-price grew by about $25 billion last year. plunge since 2008 The story noted that a signifi cant part of that in the Midwest, for growth occurred as wind-related companies made example. Yet the surplus sure they would qualify for the Production Tax is creating havoc for Credit (PTC), the industry’s main tax incentive, nuclear power and coal generators that sell their which was due to expire at end of 2012. The PTC output into short-term markets.” has since been extended. As a result, the story said, Dominion is now “The surge added a record 13,124 Megawatts shutting a money-losing reactor and selling coal of wind turbines to the nation’s power grid, up 28% plants, Exelon warns of shrinking nuclear margins from 2011,” the story said. “The new wind farms and an Edison International merchant coal-plant increased fi nancial pressure on traditional genera- unit has gone into bankruptcy. tors such as Dominion Resources Inc. and Exelon “Pricing, already under pressure from cheap Corp. in their operating regions. That’s because natural gas and the lingering effects of recession, wind energy undercut power prices already driven now has a wind factor,” the story added. to 10-year-lows by an abundance of natural gas.” The story quoted Howard Learner, Executive (Published 12 March 2013) Director of the Chicago-based Environmental Law Zoë says: More and more reports are showing and Policy Center, as saying wind energy and that the cost of wind energy is falling, and this latest natural gas are now more economic than nuclear news goes to reinforce that message. ■

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Adam Barber examines the thorny issue of fi nancing and the wind industry. Health and safety protects the bottom line

ard hats, clipboards and yellow vests. No mat- preferable than an accident on site. Hter how hard you spin it, these most ubiqui- Particularly since any incident inevitably tous of health and safety items are unlikely to set comes attached with a high fi nancial, the pulse racing. and more importantly, high personal, In fact for many, it’s quite the opposite - high vis- cost. ibility clothing, steel-toe capped shoes and the like Naturally though, even with the very only ever really mean one thing. best procedures and protocols in place, Questions. Lots of them. it’s impossible to entirely eliminate the And in the eyes of the developer, it’s these threat of project, equipment or person- Photo: Tamarindo Communications Photo: Tamarindo questions that create complex challenges, raise nel failure and the associated risk. And concerns and ultimately increase anticipated even when working with clean track project costs. records, accidents will continue to occur. But as the market matures, the simple truth It’s the nature of the job. And it’s is that health and safety within wind will play an what happens when you attempt to har- increasingly prominent role. It’s just not going to ness the power of the Earth’s elements. Adam Barber is the publisher disappear anytime soon. Project managers, operators and de- of A Word About Wind and And that’s signifi cant. Since it means it’s not velopers know this and it’s a recognised the founder of Tamarindo something that the market can stick its head in the and clear part of the job. Communications. sand about for any longer. Time then, for a wake-up However, for the fi nanciers and inves- call. tors, such thinking doesn’t always come His team provide counsel and There’s more to health and safety than an overly as naturally as one might think. And the advice to ambitious businesses excitable middle manager on a power trip. And resultant link between health and safety operating in the fi nancial ser- despite the sometimes seemingly militant rules protocol and the ability to safeguard the vices and energy space. and regulations, the thinking behind many of these future operational viability of the asset more established policies has the welfare of the can get all too quickly muddled, con- project and the protection of the individuals work- fused and lost. ing on it, at its heart. Something that’s a particular challenge when What’s more, as the number of installed and the investors’ visibility of such risk mitigation pro- operational European projects escalates, there’s a cedures doesn’t extend far beyond the cost on the growing need to ensure that there’s the right level balance sheet. of protection in place. Something that’s critical in As such, developers and operators would be order to keep a lid on an accident rate that, if left advised to take heed. For while the implementa- unchecked, will only ever rise. tion of health and safety practices can all too often Thankfully though, while challenges associated be viewed as a necessary (and expensive) cost with the effective implementation of health and perhaps it’s time to change this view - and in doing safety practices prevail, there is a growing accept- so, tackle the problem head on? ance of the vital role that these procedures now Far from being a sunk cost stuck within the “There’s more play. balance sheet, perhaps there’s something more to to health and And when correctly implemented and managed, this? And perhaps – just perhaps – it’s time to rec- there’s no need for developers, utilities and project ognise the practical implementation of health and safety than owners to start rolling their eyes before setting safety practice as something that mitigates risk, an excitable aside large chunks of staff time and writing ever- safeguards revenue and protects the bottom line. larger cheques. Those steel-toe capped boots might not come middle After all, while the resultant practices may re- cheap but then again, what is their true price manager on a quire a shift in the existing way in which staff and when measured against long term fi nance and contractors work, that change can be far more investor comfort? ■ power trip.”

WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 45 | country focus |

In 2013, Wind Directions will A closer look at… take a look at a selection of wind energy markets across Europe and beyond. Ireland By Chris Rose k

ck The government supports wind power

sto through a Renewable Energy Feed-in ink in i Tariff or REFIT incentive. The fi rst REFIT Th :

to: scheme was announced in 2006 and the

Pho updated REFIT 2 plan covers projects built and operational between 2010 and the end of 2015. In an interview in Wind Directions earlier this year, to coincide with Ireland taking on the rotating EU Presidency, Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte said the development of wind power in the nation has been viewed as being generally positive. “In general, Irish people support the development of renewable energy from indigenous sources, recognising the need to move away from imported fossil fuels,” Rabbitte said. He also said that signifi cant grid upgrades and new grid systems have to be developed if Ireland is going to fully reen energy is coming to the Emerald Ireland, which is geographically isolated tap into the potential of renewables. GIsle: at the end of 2012, Ireland had from the rest of Europe, is attempting “What we are experiencing is actually a a cumulative total wind power capacity to break its heavy reliance on expensive transformation of the electricity sector in of 1,738 MW, 25.2 MW of which was imported fossil fuels. Ireland.” offshore, EWEA’s statistics show. According to the Irish Wind Energy Rabbitte said the new 260 kilome- However, Ireland, which has a popula- Association (IWEA), 159 wind farms are tre two-way East-West Interconnector tion of about 4.7 million, should have currently on-line and operational in the — which runs from Woodland, County had in the same time, according to its country. The nation’s fi rst wind farm was Meath in Ireland to Deeside in north National Renewable Energy Action Plan, a built 21 years ago. Wales and includes an undersea power total of 2,370 MW of wind power. Kenneth Matthews, the CEO of IWEA, cable, the fi rst electricity interconnector Despite that, the government has set states that wind energy development aligns between the two nations and capable of a target of 40% renewable electricity by perfectly with the three pillars of the Irish EU transporting 500 Megawatts — is very 2020, with wind power expected to pro- presidency — growth, stability and jobs. important for Irish energy policy. vide 37% to 40% of the total. The system “The continued proactive and stra- “It underlines our decision to move operators, EirGrid and ESB Networks, tegic development of wind energy has away from being an energy island to join- have offered 3,900 MW of grid connec- a clear role to play in Ireland’s road to ing and integrating with Britain and the tions to wind energy developers. economic recovery and in stimulating rest of Europe,” he added. In 2011, wind generation in Ireland employment growth and represents a The Irish Examiner reported in March reduced the wholesale market cost of fi rst-rate opportunity to secure job crea- that Rabbitte said Ireland wants to make electricity by about €74 million, offsetting tion and long-term inward investment; as renewable energy a signifi cant part of the spending in terms of government support well as to position Ireland at the heart of nation’s domestic energy supply as well and infrastructure. Europe’s energy solutions.” as becoming a major export component.

46 WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 WIND DIRECTIONS| April 2013 P Policy -ARene ‘Export opportunity.”as anexport offshore windresourcecanbedeveloped markets.Italsomeansthatour at export projects ofscaleonshorethatareaimed said inthestory. “Thereispotentialfor tion alone, withcapacitytospare,” he tricity fromonshorerenewable genera- its nationaltargetsforrenewable elec- renewables by 2020. the country’s generatedthrough energy meet theEuropeantargetsof20% Rabbitte thinksthenationcaneasily for thisisland,” hewas quotedassaying. asarealeconomicopportunity exported I fi potentialwhich wind andoceanenergy “We have inIrelandarichandabundant benefi lines areasoftheIrisheconomy thatwould UK counterpart, UK Secretary ofState UKSecretary UK counterpart, withhis Memorandum ofUnderstanding thisyearsigneda word andinJanuary Minister Rabbittehasstayed tohis true forwindenergy.political support will becentraltothistransition.” wind-generatedelectricity surplus export andto ability tointegratewindenergy toincreaseour and new interconnectors Matthe of it,” attheheart bles andwindenergy changewithrenewa-of transformational areputinplace. enablers if thecorrect come amajorrenewable exporter energy tion’s electricityconsumption. sector accountedfor15.5%ofthena- power jobsinIrelandandlastyearthe 2,200 peoplearenowemployed inwind added. the report can deliverupto18,400jobsby 2020,” domestic marketand6GWforexport producedforour “4 GWofwindenergy forexport. to facilitate6GWofenergy ment policiesshouldbeimplemented potentialisrealised. export olicy Framework forIreland’—thatout- rmly believe can be harvested and believe canbeharvested rmly In October “Ireland hasthecapabilitytoachieve alsosaid The IrishExaminerstory Ireland continuestohave strong “The electricitysectorisonthecusp Matthews saidIrelandstandstobe- According totheIWEA, approximately recommendedthatgovern- The report

t ifthenation’s domesticenerg ws said.“Effi , IWEA released a report — IWEAreleasedareport cient useofexisting w ables Development

grids,” hesaidinaninterview. turbines areavailable, theonlyissueis ing thesectorisapoorgridsystem. based MainstreamRenewable Power. is EddieO’Connor, theCEOofDublin- sector velopment oftheIrishwindenergy and theUK.” economic benefi sectortodeliverjobsand able energy have intherenew- and faithbothparties onstrates theunwavering commitment fromIrelandtoBritain.Thisdem- energy Gigawatts ofgreen toexport opportunity Davey, givingastrongsignal ofpotential andClimateChange,for Energy Edward wind power sectoranddealwithclimate Fossil fuelsaredestroying ourplanet.” when youthinkaboutglobalwarming. important “The valueofwindisvery change causedby fossil fuels. burning wind power canhelpmitigateclimate a GDPmultipliereffectof2.5, he added. els withdomesticwindpower couldhave fossilfu- fossil fuels.Replacingimported of electricityby replacingcostlyimported wind power isthatitcanreducetheprice Ireland isblessedwithanexcellentwindresource, asthesesurfers cantestify 2020 RENEWABLE ENERGYTARGET CURRENT OFFSHORECAPACITY CURRENT CAPACITY Ireland – the wind energy facts Ireland –thewindenergy O’Connor saidoneofthebenefi “Planning isgood, capitalisavailable, O’Connor saidthemainproblemfac- One ofthosemostbullishonthede- In ordertobothhelpdevelop the Another majorbenefi Phooto:toto: Heemermemerra ts toboththeIreland . . 1,738MW . . t, hesaid, isthat ...... 25.2MW . . ts of . 20% . . European neighbours too.”European neighbours just forIrelandbutsomeofour mayenergy well have theanswers not needmeetsambition,energy Irishwind standsreadytodeliver.energy “Where tinued politicalcommitment, Irishwind AssemblyinMarch. Irish Parliamentary completed by 2020,” hetoldtheBritish we seeasa5,000MWprojecttobe nents willconstitutePhaseOneofwhat across theIrishSea. together tobuildasubmarinecablelink company isalsoputtingaconsortium from theUKNationalGrid.Hesaid already securedafi in2017andhas electricity fordelivery suffi assemblingalandbank is currently Sea intotheBritishgrid. be transmitteddirectlyundertheIrish power intheMidlandsofIrelandwould ment ofbetween €10bnto€13bn, wind proposal, whichwouldrequirean invest- Europe. UK gridsandeventually ontoNorthern see IrishandUKwindpow Bridge”proposalwhichwould “Energy change, O’Connorisdeveloping his Matthews concludedthat, withcon- “Taken togetherthesethreecompo- O’Connor hassaidthatMainstream Bridge” According tothe“Energy cient tohouse1,200MWofclean gridconnection rm country focus| | country er fl ■ owing into 47 | technology corner | ck c sto ink in th to: to t Pho P Offshore wind engineers to the rescue?

By Philippa Jones

“Bespoke ffshore wind turbines are far from being the technicians, while oil and gas installations often safety Ofi rst structures to be placed in the middle of have a large resident workforce,” says Nicholls. the sea – oil and gas platforms in particular have A further difference is that “wind farms may have technology is been implanted amidst the swirling waves of the hundreds of turbines of the same design, while oil vital.” North Sea for decades. There has therefore been and gas installations tend to be one-offs”. a presumption that technology aimed at ensur- These differences “lead to a greater need for ing the health and safety of workers on offshore travel between installations and hence for robust turbines can be the same as that used on oil and communications and access technology,” says gas platforms. However, industry is realising that Nicholls, leading to a demand for specifi c technol- this is not the case and that bespoke technology ogy to respond to these challenges. “Personnel is vital to avoid injuries and save lives. tracking and the positive identifi cation of turbines, “There are key differences between the oil for example, ones that need to be shut down, and gas sector and the offshore wind industry,” are critical to safety,” he says. Likewise, “tech- says David Nicholls from Areva’s health and nologies for medical assistance and emergency safety team in the UK. “Wind farms extend over response also need to be designed with isolated many kilometres, while oil and gas developments workers in mind,” he adds. typically have only a handful of installations,” he One leading fi gure in the area of emergency states. Moreover, “turbines are designed for un- response is Dr Robert Lawatscheck, from the manned operation with occasional visits by a few department of anesthesiology at the Charité

48 WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 | technology corner |

university hospital in Berlin, Germany. He became at sea it takes an average of 90 minutes for a involved with the wind industry when “I was ap- medical team to arrive because of the distance,” proached by EWE [a German energy company] to says Dr Lawatscheck. In many cases 90 minutes fi nd a solution for the specifi c issues in emergen- is an optimistic estimate. “The whole operation is cies facing workers on offshore wind with the in- weather dependent, and poor or changing weather sistence that these were different than those fac- conditions mean it might take even longer for ing the oil and gas sector,” he explains. “Oil and someone to come to help,” adds Dr Lawatscheck. gas platforms have several hundred men working He explains that in emergency medicine there on them and among them there is almost certain is the so-called “golden hour of trauma,” which to be a doctor,” says Lawatscheck. “However, wind means that if a patient is treated within the fi rst turbines are individual platforms and during the 60 minutes after an accident the outcome is maintenance phase there are only small teams of likely to be much better. “We therefore need to be three people on the turbine.” able to offer these people medical aid within this Chris Streatfeild, director of health and safety at critical window of time.” RenewableUK, concurs with the need to acknowl- Any doubts about the feasibility of fi nding a edge such differences. “In the past it was as- solution to this problem were eased when the sumed that solutions from other sectors, such as project team learnt that there were fi bre optics the oil and gas industry, could be simply dropped attached to each wind turbine. “You can’t have in to offshore wind situations,” he says. “While the telemedicine without infrastructure,” says Dr wind sector can and should draw on the experi- Lawatscheck. This is why the team decided to ences and competencies of other sectors, some focus on engineers involved in the maintenance of the solutions will need to take account the phase of work on a turbine rather than the con- particular risk profi le for wind projects.” According struction phase since once the structure is built to Streatfeild, “this could see a range of emerging and up and running “this and a lot of other param- best practice solutions that could include shared eters and processes are in place”. emergency response arrangements, potential tel- Such clarity makes it easier to investigate emedical solutions or the development of bespoke ways to solve this issue, though Dr Lawatscheck wind rescue and response equipment”. insists that there are still signifi cant hurdles Given the massive projected growth in the ahead. “Nineteen months is not a lot of time to installation of offshore wind turbine in the com- tackle such a big problem, but we are doing our ing years across the EU these problems need to best.” The team wants during this timeframe be tackled if the wind industry does not wish to “to realise an audio-video connection and a vital fi nd itself with potentially high rates of injury and data monitor that links the worker site to an even death. In 2012, offshore wind totalled 5 GW emergency physician, who would then be able to in the EU and this is projected to rise to 40 GW tell the uninjured workers how best to help their employing 170,000 people by 2020 and to 150 injured colleague”. Dr Lawatscheck explains that GW employing 300,000 people by 2030. “The “they would do this using a vital data monitor German government alone is planning to erect like that used by emergency medical services, 7-10,000 turbines over the next 15 years, and so which would allow them to monitor the patient in there has to be a solution for when one of these almost real time”. men has an accident,” says Dr Lawatscheck. However, there is “one scientifi c core ques- The result of his discussion with EWE is the tion” that the project needs to answer if this pro- so-called SOS: Sea and Offshore Safety project. posed solution is ever to be rolled out in the real This has now become a collaborative effort world; that is “how far non-health professionals between the Telemedical Centre (TMCC) and the are able to provide help under telemedical guid- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care ance”. Dr Lawatscheck says the project team “will Medicine at the Charité hospital and EWE, with set up simulation studies around this question” full sponsorship from the German Federal Ministry to try to gain scientifi c answers, but he admits for the Environment. The project will run from that is might not be easy convincing everyone that September 2012 to March 2014, and is aimed at engineers, not doctors, can administer medical fi nding a practical solution to the lack of an imme- aid. “The medical community in Germany is very diate medical team on an offshore turbine. critical about what can be done by even paramed- “The normal response time for an emergency ics, but if we can’t get to the injured person quick call on land in Berlin is seven minutes, but for an enough then we have to think of different solu- accident on a wind turbine 100 kilometres out tions that might be feasible,” he states.

WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 49 | technology corner |

to ensure that proper consideration is given Offshore oil and gas platforms typically to the planning and preparation for potential have only a handful of installations, emergencies.” unlike an offshore wind farm At the other end of the process, “the need to stop accidents happening in the fi rst place is also paramount,” says Streatfeild. “This means using new technology to ensure safety by design - thereby increasing the fundamental reliability of a turbine and designing out the need for certain maintenance functions on a wind turbine and let- ting IT, such as SCADA [the supervisory control and data acquisition system that can monitor and control industrial processes across multiple sites and large distance] do lots of the work instead.” The use of technology instead of people “removes a signifi cant amount of risk throughout the supply chain”. Improved technology will also play an impor-

Photo: Thinkstock tant role in the future in ensuring better health and safety in other areas. Streatfeild singles out “the need to use technology to improve access [to offshore turbines],” noting that “people are Another diffi culty that will have to be overcome is looking at not using boats to gain access to that of cost. “While from the medical perspective turbines, while the role of helicopters – although the outcome of our patients is essential, there developing – is yet to be defi ned”. The role of often is the question of costs for the solution,” technology “in improving protective equipment will says Lawatscheck. “We create mobile solutions also be important, adds Steatfeild, highlighting and services that use synergies with existing that this is another area where until now it had processes so that with relatively low investment, been presumed that what had been right for the we can enhance the outcome for the patients oil and gas industry was also right for offshore signifi cantly.” But ultimately costs should not be workers. “There has been recognition that there of paramount importance because surely it is is common ground between the needs of work- “priceless…to have higher motivation in a highly ers on offshore turbines and seafarers and those specialised work group because of better medical working in the oil and gas industry, but the needs treatment,” suggests Lawatscheck. are not always the same,” he says. “We are “This is all part of the project results, which we therefore likely to see more safety and personal are working on right now,” he says. “We are now protective equipment designed to meet the spe- in the concept phase of the project – working out cifi c ergonomic and environmental demands for what is needed. We then want to test our pro- the wind industry.” posed solutions under real conditions on offshore Areva’s Nicholls concludes that “despite these wind turbines and publish our fi ndings on the differences, there are also many aspects in com- simulation studies to show proof of concept.” mon, and much scope for wind and other offshore “The whole issue of medical care for work- industries to learn from each other”. But he ers who have been injured on a wind project is warns that changes in the wind industry outside important for all parts of the wind industry and the realm of health and safety may also have an in particular for offshore given the nature of the impact on workers’ conditions. “The mass produc- “A doctor will environment,” comments Streatfeild. However, he tion of turbines affects the balance between R&D, suggests it is unlikely that a single solution will design, manufacturing and operational costs, and guide workers be apt to be rolled out across the EU. “Solutions hence what technologies are most cost-effective to help may have some variation between jurisdictions for improving health and safety,” he says. “It also due to possible differences in national regula- affects the relative infl uence of suppliers and end- their injured tions and the scope of national emergency users in driving development. If turbines are seen colleague by response arrangements in that country,” he says. only as an off-the-shelf product, users may have Nonetheless, “there will be common principles less say in the technologies that determine their video.” that apply across all jurisdictions in the EU safety as construction sites and workplaces.” ■

50 WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 Book your stand

10 – 13 March 2014 BARCELONA, SPAIN

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Come to Barcelona and join the top international wind companies at Europe’s LARGEST wind energy conference and exhibition to network and do business www.ewea.org/annual2014

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| review EWEA 2013 |

Aiming east in Austria Photo: EWEA/Alexandra Buxbaum

,500 people from 68 countries spent much of of 16 fossil fuel subsidy measures per OECD 8the fi rst week of February in Vienna, attend- country – costing between €286 billion and €467 ing EWEA’s 2013 Annual Event. The theme of the from 2005 to 2011.” event this year was the huge potential of Europe’s “It seems that for some people subsidies are emerging wind energy markets, and this was the a big problem – but only when paid to renewa- focus of EWEA’s report, ‘Eastern winds’, launched bles”, he added. on 5 February, but speakers including Energy Ministers and industry CEOs addressed a huge Changing renewables policies “under- range of issues from fossil fuel subsidies to the mines investment” latest blade technology to social acceptance. One of the biggest challenges wind energy faces Whether you were there or not, read Sarah today is the lack of predictability of govern- Azau’s whistle-stop tour of some of the highlights ment policies. Vice-President of the European and have a browse of some of the key photos. Parliament Anni Podimata, speaking at EWEA More EWEA 2013 stories can be read on EWEA’s 2013, warned that retroactive policy changes blog: www.ewea.org/blog. “clearly undermine investment in renewable energy projects.” IEA chief: fossil fuel subsidies “public en- Austrian Environment Minister Nikolaus emy number one” Berlakovich called on governments to create Speaking at the opening session of the event stable policy frameworks “in order to send clear on 4 February, International Energy Agency Chief signals to investors and citizens.” Austria has “The EU needs Economist Fatih Birol called fossil fuel subsidies a target of 34% renewable energy by 2020 and “public enemy number one to sustainable energy a longer term target of 100% self-suffi ciency in a renewable development,” (for more see the interview energy by 2050. energy target on p. 8). Pat Rabbitte, Irish Minister for Energy, said the EWEA President Arthouros Zervos pointed out EU needs to guide growth in renewables through after 2020.” that “According to the OECD there is an average a new renewable energy target beyond 2020.

52 WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 m um b

xba | review EWEA 2013 | Bu a dra xan Ale / A/ A EA E W EW E to: o Photo: EWEA/Michael Buxbaum Photo: ho h Ph P

Irish Energy Minister Pat EWEA members mingle at Rabbitte called for renewables their Sunday night reception in targets beyond 2020 Vienna’s Palais Ferstel

EWEA 2013 in the Twittersphere

The 2013 event’s physical presence was echoed and amplifi ed by its virtual presence through the EWEA and event websites, EWEA’s blog, and social media such as Facebook and Twitter. Below a selection of ten Tweets concerning the event.

1. 12 Feb: ABB Global @ABBgroupnews Photo: EWEA/Michael Buxbaum Following #EWEA2013, an interesting read: Wind Power Markets Grow Where the Iron Curtain Fell http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Wind- Power-Markets-Grow-Where-the-Iron-Curtain-Fell … via @greentechmedia 2. 11 Feb: NRG Systems, Inc. @nrgsystems Over 40 conference sessions Thx for a great show! RT @ewea: #EWEA2013 Annual Event sounds took place on topics from notes of caution and optimism http://www.ewea.org/blog/2013/02/ fi nancing to social acceptance eweas-2013-annual-event-sounds-notes-of-caution-and-optimism/ … #windenergy #windworks 3. 10 Feb: Enrique Calvo @ECalvo_France Congratulations #EWEA2013. Wonderful Wind Event in Vienna. FORES & CIRCE were there. Great opportunity to improve our business worldwide!! Podimata said a new target of 45% renewable 4. 8 Feb: Siemens_Energy @Siemens_Energy energy by 2030 is “absolutely realistic.” #Siemens launches new 4-megawatt offshore #wind turbine at #EWEA2013 in Vienna: http://ow.ly/hyB4L #YourFavs “Companies are suffering” yet opportuni- 5. 8 Feb: Tensar Insights@TensarInsights ties are there A big thank you to everyone who came to see us at the #EWEA2013 The fi nancial and austerity crisis is impacting #Wind #Energy event in Vienna this week! some wind energy players. 6. 8 Feb: Vestas Wind Systems @Vestas “There are a number of companies suffering You can fi nd a summary & photos of #Vestas’ participation @ and not managing balance sheet in tough times,” #EWEA2013 here: http://on.fb.me/YeY4zG . Thanks to all for a great Alfonso Faubel, Senior Vice President of Alstom event! :-) Wind Energy, said at a panel session on 5 February 7. 7 Feb: Neil Jeffery @NeilJefferyRW at EWEA 2013. “Some players are competi- Thought provoking talk by @futerra at #EWEA2013 on making re- tive, others are changing the way they operate,” newable energy more approachable. A role for @GethincJones? Stephan Ritter, General Manager Europe, GE, said. http://bit.ly/111qun6 EWEA released its annual figures on the fi nal 8. 7 Feb: GE Renewable Energy @GErenewables day of EWEA 2013 – showing that wind energy Had a great time at #EWEA2013! If you couldn’t attend the show, check now provides 7% of Europe’s electricity demand. out @EWEA’s blog for highlights. http://www.ewea.org/blog/ Capacity of 11.6 GW was installed in 2012. While 9. 7 Feb: Vestas Wind Systems @Vestas this is higher than the 9.4 GW installed in 2011, Wrapping up #EWEA2013: #Vestas G.C.Tarnowski presents Large the figures “refl ect orders made before the wave #Wind Farm Power Systems with @Siemens_Energy @ABBgroupnews of political uncertainty that has swept across http://bit.ly/VZ4l4h Europe since 2011, which is having a hugely 10. 7 Feb: Adam Bruce @adamrbruce negative impact on the wind energy sector”, com- Final session on markets and grids underway at #ewea2013. Some mented Christian Kjaer, CEO of EWEA until 1 April. cracking presentations ahead in session on consumers and wind energy. “We expect this instability to be far more appar- ent in 2013 and 2014 installation levels.”

WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 53 | review EWEA 2013 |

And despite the crisis, fi ndings released at EWEA 2013 also noted that there are an abundance of jobs available in the sector, especially in operations and maintenance. In fact, unless these and other positions are fi lled, wind energy faces a shortage of 15,000 skilled workers by 2030. Advice and guidance was given to people seeking to work in the industry at the careers day organ-

Photo: EWEA/Alexandra Buxbaum ised at the event with agency GreenFish on 8 February (more on p. 24).

Communication is “not easy, not cheap but key to success” From setting light to tea-bags in schools to dem- onstrate the principle of thermal lift, to developing a ‘code of conduct’ for wind energy developers, speakers on 8 February discussed how to win local acceptance of wind farms. Panellists agreed Arthouros Zervos is awarded the on the importance of getting people involved in Poul la Cour prize by Klaus Rave wind projects to ensure “buy-in” and that communication is crucial.

A match made in heaven One of the main aims of all EWEA events is to encourage networking and business possibilities for participants. In Vienna, the exhibition fl oor – with its 400 exhibitors - was an ideal location for meeting and

Photo: EWEA/Michael Buxbaum taking partnerships further, and there were opportunities for more informal chats at the daily coffee and lunch breaks. In addition, EWEA organised a business-focused ‘matchmaking event’ on 4 February, to help put event participants in touch with one another. In the evenings, conversations could be continued at a more leisurely pace at the receptions and at dinner, organised at some of the stunning locations Vienna has to offer. At the conference dinner, held in the Habsburgs’ former imperial residence The Hofburg, outgoing EWEA CEO Christian Kjaer awarded the wind energy industry’s Poul La Cour prize to outgoing Arthouros Zervos EWEA The exhibition halls and the numerous President for his achievements for wind energy. receptions were top networking spots “It is hard to know where to begin to describe [Zervos’] achievements. They are not limited to one area of work, or one organisation. They span “Wind energy Yet there is encouragement in EWEA’s latest education, science, R&D, policy making, represen- report, launched on day two of the event. ‘Eastern tation of the industry and lobbying,” Kjaer said. faces a winds’ showed signifi cant growth opportuni- If you missed the event but would like to see shortage of ties and benefi ts for wind power in central and the videos and presentations, you can buy pro- eastern Europe – including Romania, Poland ceedings via www.ewea.org/annual2013 15,000 skilled and Turkey. EWEA’s next major events will be held in Frankfurt on offshore workers by Inigio Sabater Eizaguirre, Vestas Vice-President wind energy (19-21 November) and EWEA 2014 will take place in said the fact that Europe is still suffering from Barcelona (10-13 March). For more information, go to p. 55 or the 2030.” the economic crisis is a “big incentive” to look for event websites www.ewea.org/offshore2013 and new markets outside the well-established ones www.ewea.org/annual2014 ■ in Europe.

54 WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 | EWEA news |

EWEA OFFSHORE EWEA 2014 Annual Event takes 2013 at the heart shape of ﬁ nance An international wind energy platform, The EWEA annual event offers a plat- a wide-ranging conference programme, form for the industry, policy makers and EWEA’s offshore event is coming up international exhibition and incomparable the fi nancing bodies to learn from each from 19-21 November. With fi nancial networking opportunities. All happen- other and keep furthering wind energy issues dominating the media, it will ing under one roof from 10 to 13 March development. take place – most appropriately - in 2014 in Barcelona at the EWEA 2014 EWEA 2014 in Barcelona will also be Frankfurt, Germany - Europe’s fi nancial Annual Event. the only event where you will be able to capital. The chosen venue is the Fira de meet new players from Latin America This event is crucial for anyone Barcelona Gran Via, offering 14,000m2 and Africa, and learn about investment already in or interested in entering the of exhibition space in a location which is opportunities in these new markets,. offshore wind energy business. easy to get to and only a short distance Exhibition sales are now open, with a The programme will be organised from both Barcelona’s El Prat international 35% discount for EWEA members. around four main themes: fi nancing; airport (7 km) and the city centre itself. As a non-profi t organisation, event markets, strategies & planning; indus- In these challenging times of eco- revenue is reinvested in the industry. trialising the supply chain and future nomic austerity, we know that decisions Every Euro spent at association events technologies. on which event to attend needs to be is invested in EWEA’s policy, lobbying Did you know that there are over carefully considered,” Anja Magry, Head of and research work. By investing in EWEA 400 people involved in shaping the Events, said. “EWEA has over 25 years of events, you are supporting the future of programme to guarantee the high- experience in organising events that are the wind energy industry[Z1] . est quality of the presentation? The customised to meet the industry’s needs Visit www.ewea.org/annual2014 for further information programme will feature almost 500 dif- and contribute to its future development.” or email the sales team: [email protected] ferent presentations from top experts and brightest industry and market minds. Are you an EWEA member? Make The sessions are structured so that anyone, regardless of whether you are the most of it! a knowledgeable industry player or a new entrant, can learn and get useful Don’t forget the huge amount of ex- discounts on offer to members only, the ideas from the conference. clusive information available for EWEA members’ area has it all. And if there’s The process of creating the confer- members on the members’ area on the something more you need, just contact ence programme has begun. The call EWEA website, www.ewea.org – just click the EWEA staff member responsible, for abstracts will run until mid-May. and log in on the top right. whose details are on the relevant page, Submitting an abstract is an excellent From in-depth exclusive EU policy and they will get back to you as soon as way to present your achievements information, to the contact details of possible. and shared lessons learnt at the all 700 EWEA members for your busi- Interested in membership? Contact Iga Niewiadomska conference. ness needs, and to news on the latest on [email protected] or call +32 2 213 18 46. Exhibition stand allocation is under way - over 90% of the space has already been booked, but EWEA How much power does an operational members can still get in touch with the EWEA’s sales team at [email protected] wind farm produce? and benefi t from their 35% discount when they book their stand. Can you guess how much power a wind Register at early rates before 15 April: “You’ll meet the whole spectrum of farm will produce? EWEA’s 2013 resource www.ewea.org/workshops offshore players from the pioneers to assessment workshop is coming up, and in Later on in 2013 EWEA will hold a port and ship builders and the oil and the meantime, you can take the pre-work- second technology workshop on wind gas industry,” Malgosia Bartosik, shop quiz on www.ewea.org/workshops to power forecasting. EWEA Membership and Events compare your guesses to reality! Why EWEA workshops? Because the Director, said. “You’ll also learn about The workshop takes place from 25-26 money you invest doesn’t go into the new, innovative fi nancing as well as June in Dublin, in association with the organiser’s pockets but straight back into raise your company’s visibility among Irish Wind Energy Association and covers the wind industry. thousands of infl uential offshore play- topics from wind condition modelling to Contact Tim Robinson on [email protected] or ers. EWEA events give a high return on wake prediction. tel: +32 2 213 1844 to stay informed and to discuss investment.” The call for abstracts is now open, and the exhibition & sponsorship opportunities available. ■ More information: www.ewea.org/offshore2013 both the call and the quiz close on 10 May.

Reading Corner

EWEA welcomes new members

Association of Renewable Energy of Tajikistan CGI’s Limited (United Kingdom) (Tajikistan) CGI’s provides a comprehensive cable installation www.systemavto.tj service including associated civil engineering and containment work, specialising in LV & HV cable Bechtel Power Corporation (United Kingdom) jointing and terminating up to and including 132kv. Bechtel is among the most respected engineering, www.cgisltd.com Why is investing in renewables a project management, and construction companies Bechtel operates through fi good idea? Frederik Bruns reveals in the world. ve global ContourGlobal Management France SAS the answer in his new book ‘Windfall business units that specialize in civil infrastructure; (France) proﬁ t in Portfolio Diversiﬁ cation?’. power generation; communications and transmis- www.contourglobal.com sion; mining and metals; oil, gas and chemicals; What is your book about and who is it and government services. CPNL Engineering (Germany) for? Since its founding in 1898, Bechtel has worked on CPNL stands for simple and clever cost reducing The book discusses the potential more than 22,000 projects in 140 countries on cable protection solutions to meet the current dis- benefi ts for investors of adding all seven continents. Today, our 53,000 employees cussions in the industry. We have engineered the tifi renewable energy investments to team with customers, partners and suppliers on following cer ed quality products to help reduce their portfolio — especially relevant diverse projects in nearly 50 countries. We stand valuable installation time with 3 hours per cable for institutional investors such as apart for our ability to get the job done right—no entry: articulated pipes, centralisers, hang-offs and insurance companies or pension matter how big, how complex, or how remote more. funds who struggle to fi nd suitable www.bechtel.com www.cpnl.eu investments these days, but also for private investors. Buderus Edelstahl GmbH (Germany) Dii GmbH (Germany) Buderus Edelstahl GmbH is located in Wetzlar, Ger- www.dii-eumena.com Why is the book important for the many, and is one of Germany’s leading producers wind industry? of high-grade special steels. All stages of produc- Green Giraffe Energy Bankers (The Netherlands) from melting through to the fi GGEB is a fi Because it provides the theoretical tion, nal product, are nancial advisory boutique established in background to why institutional inves- conducted in-house. For our valued global clientele 2009 with a strong and proven track record in renew- eness and fl tors should own and operate wind it means capability, responsiv exibility able energy - and in particular in the offshore wind parks. Since fi nancing became more in meeting their requirements sector. GGEB offers specialized services with regard challenging in the last couple of years, www.buderus-steel.com to the raising of debt and equity, deal structuring, these investors will play a major role strategic advisory, project development and contract- in the future growth of the industry. Cathelco Ltd. (United Kingdom) ing for complex renewable energy transactions. Cathelco design and manufacture bespoke im- We have a staff of 21 professionals across 4 offi ces: What is the main thing you hope a pressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) for Paris (FR), Utrecht (NL), London (UK) and Hamburg reader will take away from the book? offshore wind farm foundations. As market leader (DE). An empirical analysis using a unique in ICCP, Cathelco has a proven track record. The www.green-giraffe.eu data set from one of the largest systems provide low initial costs, low cost of owner- institutional investors in the wind ship, plus remotely controllable and measureable industry. It is shown that renewable performance that is greener than other types of CP. energy is one of the few remaining as- www.cathelco.com set classes where it is incredibly easy to diversify, simply because the wind blows differently at different locations.

“Windfall profi t in Portfolio Diversifi cation?” can be found at internet book shops such as Amazon or in local bookstores.

56 WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 Events

Greenovate! Europe E.E.I.G. (Belgium) Kersten Europe (The Netherlands, Germany, Poland) Greenovate!Europe is an independent European expert Bending specialist Kersten Europe is actively involved group. Its members are professionals with business in offshore wind. Besides bending steel profi les and EWEA OFFSHORE 2013 e qualifi and technical expertise able to facilitate innovation plates we offer processes lik ed welding and 19 – 21 November 2013 processes for environmental technologies along the (3D contour) cutting. Kersten Europe delivers bent Frankfurt, Germany entire innovation value chain from research to market. components and complete constructions such as www.ewea.org/events G!E provides innovation support services at EU level to J- and S-tubes, bellmouths, thick-walled cones, Cable E-mail:[email protected] research laboratories, technology developers, companies Access Towers, tubulars for platform sections, etc. Tel: +32 2 213 1860 and investors. www.kersteneurope.com www.greenovate-europe.eu www.renewableconstructions.com

Holmatro (The Netherlands) Parkwind NV (Belgium) Customers use Holmatro hydraulic equipment for a wide range of industrial applications. Wind turbine construc- Port of Roenne (Denmark) tion and maintenance is tough work. Holmatro tools The Port of Roenne is situated in the middle of the EWEA 2014 Annual Event are the best choice to carry out this work with preci- entrance to the Baltic Sea, and is perfectly situated 10 – 13 March 2014 sion, safely and in an ergonomic way. All equipment is as hub consolidating services for several windmill Barcelona, Spain manufactured in accordance with the European Machine farms. The port rates on long-term partnerships www.ewea.org/annual2014 Directive. with customers, establishing mutually value through Email: [email protected] www.holmatro.com/industrial corporation and extensive agile services. Welcome to Tel: +32 2 213 1860 Port of Roenne IDA Ireland (Germany) www.roennehavn.dk www.idaireland.com Rodman Polyships, SAU (Spain) INCOS SRL (Italy) www.rodman.com

IRIS, International Research Institute of Stavanger Samruk-Green Energy LLP (Kazakhstan) (Norway) “Samruk-Green Energy” LLP, is a fast growing com- IRIS hosts Offwind project: - Prediction tools for Offshore pany operating in the fi eld of energy production from wind energy generation - Open Source code with very renewable energy sources. Mission: a reliable and user friendly interface in two different levels: - Engineer- high-quality supply with electric power produced ing Level: - Advanced Level: CFD based - Project Man- by the use of renewable energy sources. Vision: to ager: Jafar Mahmoudi, - Partners: 10, from Norway, Swe- become a leader in the fi eld of renewable energy in den, Denmark, Portugal, Germany, US and Russia Kazakhstan. www.iris.no www.samruk-green.kz ■

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WIND DIRECTIONS | April 2013 57 | the last word |

Wind energy associations “need to big up”

y es me confi e cannot imagine a better challenge in the world What mak dent about these challenges kle than to be CEO of the European Wind Energy is that when you look at the economic challenges Bic I / Association. facing Europe, wind energy is a winner. And EA/ EA E W

EW E After years of growth in the industry and the Europe will be a winner if it invests in wind energy. to: to t

o association we face new, challenging times. It can never be the sole source of Europe’s energy Pho P Challenging times which mean wind energy – but it has an important role in a competitive and companies are counting every euro cent. I will be sustainable Europe. looking at what our members expect of EWEA and How can Europe be more competitive if it is how that compares with what we offer. more dependent on consuming energy that has Challenging because the fi nancial crisis has to be imported? Already Europe is a net importer led to austerity measures which led to govern- of coal, gas and oil. We have to consume less en- ments across Europe making sudden or retroac- ergy, and produce more using our own resources. By Thomas Becker, tive changes to wind energy support schemes. Europe has a lot of wind, and makes the best CEO, European Why governments focus on renewable energy wind turbines. Nearly all wind turbines in the EU Wind Energy Association support schemes without tackling the much larger are made here. Many wind farms in the US, Latin fossil fuel subsidies is a lesson in politics. Gas, America and Asia are also made and developed coal and nuclear have more political clout than by European companies. the wind industry. Renewable energy support is Wind energy is a key industry for Europe’s more visible coming as it does in feed-in tariffs economic future. It generates capital investment, or other mechanisms instead of the hidden tax jobs, exports, R&D (a lot higher percentage of breaks, decommissioning costs and other subsi- R&D investment than many economic sectors). dies received by conventional power sources. Turbines are taking their place in the European Our opponents are always complaining about landscape, and the industry has to take an renewable subsidies. We need to get politicians equally visible place in the political landscape. to see the bigger picture of fossil fuel and nuclear European and national associations need to subsidies – as well as the health and environmen- speak with one voice. Gone are the days when tal costs of those conventional technologies. economic growth made expansion easy for all Challenging because wind energy has gone technologies. The associations of the wind from an ‘alternative’ to the mainstream, and industry need to big up - like turbines have. Like has entered senior school during an economic the grid we need to be better interconnected: downturn. The big boys did not see nice ‘alterna- European and national associations must work tive’ wind as a threat. Now they do. As old power together much more closely to shape national plants face closure the completion between tech- government and EU energy policy. nologies to fi ll the gap is intense. I enjoy challenges and I am not frightened of Challenging because as wind energy grows change. We have every reason to be confi dent in power systems have to develop and be managed our industry, our technology and our Association. in new ways. We know from the pioneer countries European governments have already said that – like Spain and Denmark - that it can be done. the continued expansion of renewables is a ‘no But that does not stop the big conventional tech- regrets option’. nologies talking up the problem. We have everything to gain. ■

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An investment for now and the future In times of economic turbulence, you want to be sure that an y ﬁ nancial decision you make will have lasting beneﬁ ts. With 30 years of experience, a dedicated team of skilled professionals and key contacts, EWEA provides its members with the knowledge and guidance to make the right decisions. Become a member of EWEA and be part of the most powerful wind energy network in Europe and gain a sustainable competitive advantage. www.ewea.org/membership