THE EUROPEAN WIND INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

December 2011 Volume 30/No 5

INTERVIEW CONNIECONNIE HHEDEGAARD EU Climate Commissioner Into the sea

INTERVIEW MAXIME VERHAGENRHAGEN Dutch Energy Minister

| contents |

THE EUROPEAN WIND INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

December 2011 Volume 30/No 5

letter from the editor 5 The potential off our shores wind news 7 brussels briefi ng 8 mini focus 10 The online revolution: social media and wind energy interview 14 Maxime Verhagen, Dutch Minister for Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation opinion 16 Meet Wind Directions’ new columnist climate change 18 Analysing EWEA’s new report interview 22 Connie Hedegaard, EU Climate Action Commissioner wind worker 25 Carolina Garcia Barquero, Operations Director, Vestas Juan Ruiz-Jarabo, Managing Director, Enercon country focus 28 A closer look at the Netherlands... focus 30 The industry that’s becoming a giant focus - interview 37 Henrik Stiesdal, Chief Technology Offi cer, Siemens Wind Power focus – substructures 38 Beneath the surface renewable world 43 Bringing wind power to some of Africa’s poorest technology corner 48 Blade maintenance: keeping the elements at bay EWEA’s new campaign 51 Wind Directions is published fi ve times a year. The contents do not necessarily refl ect the views and policy of EWEA. EWEA news 53

Publisher: Christian Kjaer EWEA welcomes new members 54 Editor: Sarah Azau Writers: Sarah Azau, Chris Rose, Zoë Casey the last word 58 Design & production: www.inextremis.be Neil Jeffery, CEO of Renewable World Cover photo: Stiftung OffshoreWindEnergie Additional design and photographic input: Jesus Quesada

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By Sarah Azau Editor

The potential off our shores

t is always exciting when a person shows Freeing electricity Ipotential, whether it’s in sports, the arts, One of EWEA’s own priorities at OFFSHORE 2011 research, writing or any other domain. If they is to spread the word about the statement on grids get off to a good start and their potential is and the single market we have launched with cable nurtured and developed correctly, it may bear manufacturer association Europacable and electric- impressive fruit later on. ity industry body EURELECTRIC, and other organisa- This month, offshore wind energy is in the tions. In the statement, we clearly stress the need spotlight, and the word “potential” is particu- for a joined up grid and greater freedom of move- larly apt. EWEA’s new offshore report not only ment for electricity in order to increase competition, underlines the massive resource that can be improve security of supply, help deliver climate goals tapped, but also shows that it is already hap- and integrate modern energy technologies including pening. While there are about 3 GW of offshore renewables. To fi nd out more, come to see EWEA at wind energy capacity currently installed, a Hall 9, stand 9130 if you’re at OFFSHORE 2011, or further 141 GW of projects are being planned check out www.freedomforelectricity.eu. in European waters. If all these projects come online, offshore wind energy could provide up The right climate to 14% of Europe’s electricity. However certain Another major event taking place this month is the things have to take place to ensure this hap- latest UN summit on climate change, running from pens. Chris Rose has an in-depth look at the 28 November - 9 December in Durban, South Africa. sector starting on p. 30, and on p. 38 I analyse Although the prospects for a major agreement ap- one of the chapters of the report on offshore pear to be slim to none, it is to be hoped that the wind turbine substructures. EU will continue to work towards its climate targets The fi rst people to get a copy of this new and even possibly raise the current 20% emissions EWEA report were the thousands who de- reduction goal by 2020 to a 30% target. EU Climate scended on Amsterdam on 29 November to do Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard discusses business and discover the latest trends and this and other matters on p. 22, and on p. 18 Chris technologies at EWEA’s OFFSHORE 2011 event. Rose presents the fi ndings of EWEA’s new climate There is more on our upcoming events – includ- change report. ing details of the EWEA 2012 call for abstracts, Finally, business people around the world expe- which is now open – on p. 53. rienced moments of shock and dismay in October As usual at the event, EWEA will donate a when the Blackberry server went down for days at a sum of money – representing around €1 per time. We live in an age of instant email access and, participant – to its chosen charity, Renewable more than ever, of social media tools that allow us World. This time, the money will go to a small to interact online whenever and wherever we want. wind project in Mozambique. Jason Morenikeji More and more renewable energy companies are from Renewable World’s partner organisation writing their own blogs or posting on their Facebook TCEI, describes on p.42 the difference it makes accounts. What does this mean for the business? to a rural village community to get its fi rst EWEA’s own blog editor (www.ewea.org/blog), Zoë electric light. Casey, takes a look on p. 10. ■

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CHILE A new rotor blade factory Country’s largest wind farm in will create hundreds of construction new jobs in Germany Vestas has started building a 100 MW wind farm in northern Chile, the Talinay Oriente (‘Talinay East’) wind farm. This project, which will be constructed with the Vestas 2 MW platform, will at its completion be the largest wind power plant in Chile. More information: www.vestas.com

ECUADOR Largest smart grid project in Latin America Households across Ecuador are poised Photo: Enercon to see improvements in the reliability still untapped offshore potential and UK of their electric service thanks to a analyses the fi nancing and employment Japanese company becomes co- smart meter infrastructure by GE Energy. situation, amongst other topics. ‘Wind owner of Gunfl eet Sands offshore Some 25,000 meters will be installed in Industry in Germany’ is free to order. wind farm Ecuador by Electrica de Guayaquil (EDG). More information on the reports and to place Danish DONG Energy has entered This is the second phase of a complete an order: www.wind-energy-market.com/en/ into an agreement with the Japanese overhaul of the country’s meters, which bwe-marktuebersichten Marubeni Corporation whereby the will eventually replace nearly 200,000 Japanese company has acquired a meters. New rotor blade factory for 49.9% stake in the 172 MW Gunfl eet GE’s meter solution will enable re- Emsland Sands wind farm off the UK coast. This mote connect and disconnect of custom- Construction work has begun on is the fi rst time a Japanese company ers, the collection of usage information ENERCON’s new rotor blade factory has invested in an offshore wind power for effi ciency planning and future en- in Germany’s north-western region of project. hancements such as demand response Emsland. The completion of the factory, Marubeni will pay DONG Energy around control and pre-payment. which will cover about 24,000 square £200 million (€229 mn) for the 49.9% More information: www.ge-energy.com metres is scheduled for June 2012 when stake in Gunfl eet Sands, which pro- the plant will begin series manufacturing. duces enough power for the equivalent of GERMANY The new production site will manufacture 125,000 households. Insight into the German wind rotor blade sets for the company’s wind More information: www.dongenergy.com energy sector energy converters. German wind energy association BWE ENERCON is also setting up wind Scotland to get 450 MW offshore has recently released two major new energy converter factories in Haren and wind farm reports. ‘Wind Energy Market 2011’ Aurich in order to satisfy demand. The Renewable energy developer focuses on the German and international new rotor blade factory in Haren will cre- Mainstream Renewable Power has markets and on wind turbine technology ate several hundred new jobs by the end signed an Agreement for Lease (AFL) and service. It also includes, for the fi rst of 2012. with UK body The Crown Estate for its time, an overview of the latest legal de- More information: www.enercon.de 450MW Neart na Gaoithe project in velopments in Germany that could affect Scottish territorial waters. Located in wind energy projects, examines market 400 MW offshore wind farm in the Outer Forth Estuary, the wind farm trends such as 3 MW being the new Baltic Sea will deliver 3.7% of Scotland’s electricity onshore standard, and presents over 70 The Spanish company Iberdrola has demand when fully operational. Earlier detailed wind turbine data sheets. The applied for the preliminary permits from this year, the Scottish Government’s report, available in German and English, the German authorities to build the 400 Strategic Environmental Assessment costs €39 for BWE members and €59 MW Wikinger offshore wind farm in the (SEA) earmarked the wind farm as for non members. Baltic Sea. The wind farm will have 400 one of only six in the current Scottish The second report, ‘Wind Industry MW of capacity and should come online Territorial Waters programme suitable in Germany’, presents the key eco- in 2016. Iberdrola aims to present the for development. Mainstream plans to nomic data concerning the country’s fi nal plans for the offshore project in submit its application for environmental wind energy sector and an overview of early 2014, commence construction in consents this year with a view to reach- all the market participants. It looks at 2015 and begin producing electricity in ing fi nancial close in 2013 and the start why the structure of the wind industry 2016. of construction in 2014. could face change, examines Germany’s More information: www.iberdrola.es More information: www.mainstreamrp.com ■

WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 7 | brussels briefi ng |

Barroso Funding for promises renewables strategy for under the EU’s renewables Cohesion Policy post-2020 to double

In a letter to European Parliament In early October the European president Jerzy Buzek on the Commission launched its proposal European Commission’s work for the Cohesion Policy 2014-2020. programme for 2012, Commission The policy, which provides funding for president Barroso states that “a European regions, has doubled the strategy for the deployment of renew- amount of money that will be available able energy beyond 2020 will be for renewables and energy effi ciency developed to offer stability for the – putting it up from €9.2 billion for longer term.” 2007-2013 to about €17-18 billion Amongst many other items, the from 2014-2020. It also proposed letter states that following the the Connecting Europe Facility, which Fukushima incident, “a thorough revi- aims to accelerate the development of n on o sion of the existing nuclear safety priority infrastructure that the EU needs si s ssi ss s framework will be undertaken”, says in transport, energy and information mi m mmi mm m

o that a proposal for facilitating clean technologies. The ‘CEF’ has a budget of Co C n power for transport will be published €40 billion plus an additional €10 bil- an a ean e p

op o next year, and states that “we will lion ring-fenced in the Cohesion Fund. rop ro r u Eu E help put in place the infrastructure “The increase in funding for renewa- o to: to t o needed to make alternative fuels bles is extremely welcome, as is the ho h Pho P and vehicles readily available.” new Connecting Europe Facility with its €9.1 billion for energy priority cor- ridors”, commented Vilma Radvilaite, Commission proposal to speed up EWEA’s Regulatory Affairs Advisor. The Facility was confi rmed in the European grid development Commission’s infrastructure package, published on 19 October (see article On 19 October, the European on grid permitting procedures, which on left). Commission proposed new EU legislation should curb the sometimes unnecessar- These proposals will now be for speeding up and fi nancing new en- ily lengthy processes involved. It also discussed by the Council and the ergy infrastructure from 2014 to 2020. proposed a system wide cost-benefi t European Parliament, with a view to This included €9.1 billion earmarked analysis, which should help clarify who adoption by the end of 2012, to allow for projects of common interest – such pays for what in a cross-border infrastruc- for the start of a new generation of as major interconnectors - under the ture project. cohesion policy programmes in 2014. ‘Connection Europe Facility’: substan- The main question mark rests over Negotiations on the Multiannual tially more money than was provided in how the €9.1 billion pot will be divided Financial Framework for the whole EU the past. between electricity, gas, oil and coal budget will continue in parallel. The “Although it represents only a small capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure Commission has already proposed in proportion of the €200 billion the projects, even though CCS will not be its regulation on MFF to allocate €336 European Commission has estimated is commercially viable by 2020. billion for Cohesion Policy instruments needed for energy infrastructure improve- “A clear priority should be given to in 2014-2020. ments, this €9.1 billion should leverage fi nancial support for electricity infra- The fi nal allocations by Member signifi cant additional private invest- structure. This will bring clear benefi ts State, and lists of eligible regions by ments”, said Christian Kjaer, EWEA’s for Europe’s energy security, the internal category, will only be decided after Chief Executive. electricity market and integrating very the adoption of the fi nal legislative The Commission also included a large amounts of renewable energy”, Cohesion package. proposal to put legally-binding deadlines said Kjaer.

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The online revolution can put wind in our sails

In the last ten years, we have all gone “virtual”. Every organisation has its own website, and many also have a blog, a Facebook page or a Twitter account. But whether you are merely contemplating dipping your toes in the torrent of online possibilities or whether you are already fully immersed, what difference does it and should it make to your business? Zoë Casey, EWEA’s own blog editor, went

Photo: Bickley exploring.

“Nobody follows t’s all happened so fast. Just over a decade viewpoint – the EWEA blog is an engaging way to Iago we were used to paper fi ling systems and read about and interact on wind energy-relevant a blog when to looking up information in encyclopaedias, news. Additionally, in our guest bloggers column, the last time dictionaries and books. Now we have the internet blog followers can expect to read opinion penned and the wealth of information and ease of contact by infl uential wind energy professionals. you updated it brings literally at our fi nger tips. We send emails As the word about our blog spreads, so too was last instead of letters, we write blogs, we increas- do the number of visits we receive each month. ingly read the news online and we are members However, while we are the only blog with an spring...but it of virtual social media networks like Twitter and EU-wind energy focus that is regularly updated is also easy to Facebook. with opinion and news, we are not alone in the This online revolution has changed the way we renewable energy blog fi eld. Ranging from policy lose followers if work and the ways in which we keep in touch with blogs for example the EU Energy Policy Blog, to you overdo it.” our friends and family. But does it put wind in the newsy blogs like Energy Refuge, there is a mine online sails of the wind industry? of renewable energy information out there – each with its different viewpoint to offer. Blogging around the world Blog platforms like Blogactiv – an arm of the In 2010 the European Wind Energy Association EU news service Euractiv, and Renewable Energy launched its blog on www.ewea.org/blog. With World – which groups together blogs by opinion- updates four times a week – on the latest EU formers on renewable energy – are other popular policy development, an interesting development in ways of blogging which carry many different voices an EU member state, or indeed an international to a wide audience. EWEA members use blogs as a way of com- municating messages. Acciona have a blog called ‘Reivindicamos la sostenibilidad’, GE energy have a blog called ‘It’s your smart grid’ and Mainstream Renewable have two blogs – one by Eddie O’Connor, the CEO, and another called ‘Inside out – the Mainstream powered blog.’ These corporate blogs give the organisation a ‘face’ and provide a way for members of the public to follow their activities and to post their opinion or a question. National wind energy associations use blogs to carry wind energy updates on a national level. In Estonia, the Tuuleenergia blog reports national wind energy news, as well as cross-posting EWEA EWEA’s blog aims for a chatty, colloquial style, and is blogs and other news items. “The blog is an updated about four times a week: www.ewea.org/blog important tool,” Tuuliki Kasonen of the Estonian

10 WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 | mini focus |

Best of the blog 2011

‘More than enough renewable energy to meet future global energy demand’ In May, EWEA CEO Christian Kjaer wrote on the costs of wind energy com- pared to nuclear. “Onshore wind power is already cheaper than nuclear-gen- erated power. Onshore wind power costs signifi cantly less than the cost of constructing a new nuclear power station, and that is without the cost of the additional safety measures that will no doubt follow Fukushima,” he said.

‘Wind industry consistently blowing stronger than expected’ In July the blog reported that wind energy is expanding so fast that both The Estonian Tuuleenergia blog reports national wind EWEA and the European Commission have consistently underestimated energy news the future wind power capacity they expect to be installed. In 1997, the Commission set a goal of 40 GW of wind power by 2010. But by the end Wind Power Association says. “It has reached of 2010 there were 84.3 GW and the 40 GW target was reached fi ve wider media channels and has been quoted by years early! people,” she added. In the UK, RenewableUK uses its blog to write ‘Accelerating Germany’s shift to renewable energy’ regularly about issues related to wind power, and Sean Klimczak, Managing Director in the Private Equity Group, Blackstone, to counteract media mis-representations. ”We wrote a guest blog in August on Blackstone’s decision to invest in the fi nd having our own blog a very useful way of get- Meerwind offshore wind farm in Germany. “We began looking at offshore ting our point of view out there, unmediated by projects in Germany in 2008 out of a conviction that the German govern- journalist opinion,” Adam Bell, Communications ment would soon need to focus on offshore wind to meet its ambitious Manager at RenewableUK says. The German wind renewable energy goals”, he said. energy association, BWE, also has a blog called Ee-blog which is written by both journalists from ‘Energy prices too high in Europe says Commission representative’ Neue Energie magazine and BWE staff. Across the Energy prices in Europe are too high because the market for electricity is not Atlantic, the American Wind Energy Association yet functioning on an EU level, Michael Köhler, Head of Cabinet for Günther in its blog ‘Into the Wind’ often publishes opinion Oettinger, the European Commissioner for energy said at a public debate and calls journalists to task by critiquing anti-wind hosted by EWEA and reported on the blog. But to secure a functioning EU articles in the press. single market for electricity, the continent needs a Europe-wide electric- However, to be successful means consistently ity grid, he said. The debate coincided with the launch for the Freedom for and regularly updating a blog. Kasonen warns that electricity campaign. nobody follows a blog “when the last time you up- dated was last spring...but it is also easy to lose ‘EWEA feels the power of offshore wind’ followers if you overdo it,” she says. This July the EWEA team set out on a trip to the Thornton Bank offshore wind farm in Belgium. At some 30 km from the coast, the 5 MW turbines A social revolution are part of the world’s fi rst wind farm to be built so far from the shore – it But blogs are just one part of the online revolu- took us nearly two hours by boat to get there! Once fully completed, the tion. In fact, they are relative old-comers com- project will have a total installed capacity of 325 MW powering 600,000 pared to the likes of networking social media homes with renewable energy and avoiding 450,000 tonnes of carbon sites which have exploded in popularity in recent emissions a year. years. Indeed, social media has surpassed porn as the number one activity on the internet. ‘With transparency, consumers prepared to pay for clean energy’ Currently, EWEA uses Facebook, Twitter, Some 50% of 31,000 people surveyed worldwide say they would pay more LinkedIn, YouTube and Flickr. We have around for products made with clean energy, the blog reported in July. In addition, 2,700 fans on Facebook, some of which regularly 90% want more renewable energy and 79% have a more positive percep- comment and ‘like’ our posts; around 4,500 fol- tion of brands produced using wind energy. The poll was conducted by TNS lowers on Twitter and nearly 3,500 members on Gallup and commissioned by Vestas. our LinkedIn group. Tom Rowe, EWEA’s web editor, explains that EWEA uses social media to reach as Visit the blog at www.ewea.org/blog and click on the RSS button in the top right corner to receive blog many different audiences as possible. updates as they happen.

WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 11 | mini focus |

clip showed a dog enjoying the power of the wind and another featured a top Estonian pop singer video her new single under wind turbines. The clips were then disseminated on social media and watched by thousands of Estonians.

Photo: EWEA/Bickley Kasonen said it was hard work producing clips that would be popular enough to go viral – but it was worth it. “We will defi nitely keep investing our time and energy on social media because it seems to be one of the few channels where we can fi nd the ‘silent supporters of wind energy’ and communicate with them,” she says. Different social media are popular in different Consultant Philippe Magry stresses Social media is crucial to another campaign countries, explains EWEA’s web editor Tom Rowe the importance of guiding the ‘Action for Renewables’ led by RenewableUK. online conversation “We use it to push out a range of content, from news articles we think our supporters will like, “The thousands of people who participate in dis- through to amusing videos and campaign materi- cussions on the EWEA LinkedIn group are often als,” says Bell. Moreover, it is a way for support- heavily involved in the wind energy industry and ers to talk back. “Many people have taken part like technical details. EWEA fans on Facebook (as in local campaigns, and social media provides an well as fans of Global Wind Day and Freedom for effective way of highlighting their work,” he adds. Electricity Facebook pages) enjoy sharing photos, But there is a more diffi cult side to being ‘out videos, their blogs and media articles on wind there’ on social media – it opens up the debate energy. Our Twitter followers like the most up-to- to all parties to comment both for and against. date information possible, and they like it fast. RenewableUK says they do get anti-wind people We create forums where people interested in commenting on their blog and Facebook page. “We wind energy can have conversations, show their engage in debate with the more sensible ones,” support or just hear the news. People are spend- Bell says. “Our view is that social media allows ing more and more time on social media, so we anyone to talk to anyone else, and excluding our- go where our audience is,” Rowe says. selves from the conversation would be counterpro- The internet is now a major communication ductive. The case for renewables is so strong that medium, but at the same time it is about social we shouldn’t be scared of debate!” he says. interaction and online communities, says Philippe While, for now, EWEA is most active on Magry from Myagy, a digital communications Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, that could all agency. He set out the choices: “The wind indus- change in the future as there are so many chan- try can watch the conversation take place, or it nels available. Rowe says that while this social can own and guide it. In the process, this creates media trio is popular in the English speaking a much needed volunteer marketing army for the work, in Brazil Orkut is the biggest, in France industry.” many people use Overblog, while in Spain they With over 800 million users worldwide, use Tuenti. In the UK Tumblr is the number two Facebook is probably the world’s most used so- and Google+ could be setting up a tough chal- cial media network. According to Rob van Alphen lenge to Facebook. “All of these are possibilities from LBi, a digital marketing agency, if Facebook for EWEA to reach further in the future,” Rowe were a country, it would be the third largest in the says. world in terms of population. Moreover, 48% of Social media activities have another intan- 18-34 year old Facebook users visit Facebook as gible importance – the more active a company soon as they get up in the morning. Meanwhile, or person is in sharing and interconnecting, on Twitter, 600 million searches happen every as well as being talked about on social media, “If Facebook day. “Many people do not know much about the higher their “social infl uence” is. Klout is were a country, renewable energy, or even worse, they are mis- a website that measures online infl uence. A informed,” van Alphen says. “Social media can ‘Klout score’ is something that could become it would be the help share knowledge and change perceptions,” increasingly important. “EWEA has a Klout of third largest he says. 51, which is quite high!” Rowe says. Global Wind Day (GWD) is especially popu- Some might say blogs, online news, social in the world lar on social media. The Estonian Wind Power media, social infl uence and other online tools in terms of Association (EWPA) based most of their GWD like e-books are the future - just like wind 2011 campaign on social media by making short energy and other renewables - and that’s where population.” and fun video clips related to wind energy. One the parallel lies. ■

12 WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011

| interview |

“Onshore wind energy is one of the cheapest forms of renewable energy”

Minister Maxime Verhagen is Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation – and as such, responsible for energy. He is also the Netherlands’ Deputy Prime Minister. He answered Sarah Azau’s questions on renewables targets, the power grid, and why his government has cut spending on offshore wind energy.

You are the Dutch Minister of Economic By the end of 2010, the Netherlands had the Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, and your third largest amount of installed offshore wind Ministry’s stated aim is to “promote sustain- energy capacity in the world, at 247 MW, and able economic growth in the Netherlands.” in your policy paper on top business sectors How can wind energy help achieve this? (13 September 2011) you agree with the ‘Top Team Energy’ that offshore wind is a sector with Sustainable economic growth is about the great potential for the Dutch economy. combination of ‘people, planet, profi t’. From In that case, why was the decision taken to cut this perspective, the transition to a low- spending on offshore wind? What would need to carbon energy market is very important, but be done to make the most of this potential? creating new ‘green jobs’ is equally impor- The Dutch government remains fi rmly committed tant. Wind energy can offer interesting solu- to the European renewables targets for 2020. To tions in both areas. In terms of ‘people’, meet these targets the government will stimu- there is also a challenge in gaining local late the most cost-effective renewable energy support for wind energy. Energy must be af- mix. This will increase the amount of renewable fordable, so the cost of wind energy should energy produced by government funding. come down, offshore and onshore. Dutch I agree with the analysis of the ‘Top Team Photo: www.rijksoverheid.nl policy on wind energy is based on this combina- Energy’ on the potential of offshore wind for the tion of goals and challenges. Dutch economy. The Netherlands has numerous companies with an outstanding record in design- The Dutch National Renewable Energy Action Plan ing, constructing and maintaining offshore wind states that 37% of the country’s power will come farms. Companies like BallastNedam, Van Oord, from renewables in 2020. How will you meet this IHC/Merwede and Smulders, to name but a few, target and what contribution can wind energy are internationally renowned for their expertise make? in offshore wind power. We based our National Renewable Energy Action However, at present offshore wind remains Plan on ambitious but feasible targets like bio- a very uncompetitive option. We are facing one mass co-fi ring, biomass gasifi cation, wind energy of the worst fi nancial crises in history. This and heating. Onshore wind energy is one of the means budget cutbacks in many areas deemed cheapest forms of renewable energy, so it’s logi- important by taxpayers. In the light of this situ- cal to increase the number of wind turbines in the ation the Dutch government has committed to Netherlands, although fi nding the right space to the European renewables targets for 2020, but “I agree on the achieve that ambition is challenging in a densely has chosen to reach those goals in the least populated country such as the Netherlands. I costly way possible. Offshore wind remains a potential of will introduce a new subsidy for the production of very expensive option in the near future. The offshore wind renewable energy, known as SDE+. The cheapest Dutch government is willing to invest in innova- options for renewables will be accommodated tion to bring down the costs of offshore wind for the Dutch fi rst, so price developments will determine the energy, but prices must come down consider- economy.” outcome of the renewable energy mix in the ably before large scale investments can again Netherlands. be supported.

14 WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 | interview |

According to research from your bureau abroad. The price for AgentschapNL, the offshore wind sector generated this will probably be in over €1 billion and 2,200 jobs in 2010. According the range of the cur- to NWEA research in cooperation with Ecofys, if rent costs of offshore the Netherlands develops a new national market wind, but without the as many as 11,000 jobs could be generated by national benefi t of jobs 2020. How can this national market be developed? and taxes. What is your First of all I see the offshore wind energy market opinion on this? as an international market. No single offshore This government has wind farm has been built without some foreign announced it will evalu- knowledge or expertise. I strongly believe in open ate renewable energy markets, where international competition on policy in 2014. This prices as well as quality will ultimately yield the evaluation will show most economic results. whether we are on Of course I’m proud of the quality Dutch track to reach the tar- Photo: Eneco companies can provide in this sector, but I’m gets, and how effective and effi cient our progress The Princess Amalia convinced they must continue to invest in innova- has been. If necessary, we will then intensify our wind farm lies 23km tion and quality to maintain this position. Where efforts to reach the targets. We are now doing from the Dutch coast, possible, I will stimulate and help Dutch compa- what we can with the funds we have available, but with the government nies to bring down prices and maintain quality. and depending on the cost of renewable energy, cuts, the future for off- I think the approach recommended by the ‘Top we can decide in 2014 if additional efforts are re- shore in the Netherlands Team Energy’ is basically the right one: it is best quired. If we still have a long way to go, then more is less certain. for companies to decide where to make invest- costly alternatives may be an option. ments, and they can be assisted by knowledge institutes such as universities and research The EU will soon introduce key legislation on en- centres. It is best for the government to follow ergy infrastructure. How do you think the European these choices, but they can also help businesses power grid should develop in the next few years, by reducing legal barriers and facilitating spatial and why? planning and permits. By taking this approach the I am in favour of organic grid development. The government has opted to replace subsidies with government does not itself seek to direct devel- tax breaks for research and development. We will opments. Private capital investments are being also introduce revolving funding for starters and made under present market conditions, but small businesses. additional stimulation may be required. European “I will introduce a governments should fi rst and foremost encour- The Netherlands used to have a national goal of age power grid investment rather than making the new subsidy for supplying 20% of its energy from renewables by investment themselves. Development should be the production of 2020, but recently lowered its ambitions to the driven by the market itself, as is the case with the obligatory 14% target imposed by the European government’s approach to innovation. ■ renewable energy.” Commission. What was the reasoning behind this move? We have adopted the European target and defi nition of renewable energy. The Netherlands as a rule does not add national targets on top Maxime Verhagen was born in Maastricht on 14 September 1956. He of European ones. The past Dutch government served as a Member of the European Parliament for the Netherlands indeed proclaimed a higher ambition, but in fact from 1989 to 1994 representing the European People’s Party. In 1994, would have achieved no more than 4% renewable he was elected to the House of Representatives of the Netherlands. energy by 2020. In 2002 Verhagen became CDA parliamentary leader in the House of This government does not set such unrealis- Representatives, and then Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2007 to 2010. tic goals, but has taken measures that will lead After the Dutch general election of 2010 Verhagen became the CDA to 12%. Additional measures, such as supplier Party leader and the new Parliamentary leader in the Dutch House of obligations are under consideration to ensure that Representatives. After the 2010 Dutch cabinet formation Verhagen the target will be met. and the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) Party leader Mark Rutte made a coalition agreement with the Party for Freedom With the current policy of the Dutch government, (PVV) of Party for Freedom. Verhagen became Minister of Economic the 14% EU target will probably not be met (ac- Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation and Deputy Prime Minister in the cording to ECN, the advisory institute of the Dutch new cabinet. government on energy policy) and one of the op- tions to close the gap is buying renewable energy

WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 15 | opinion |

Offshore accounts

A controversial view on offshore wind energy fi nancing by Wind Directions’ new external columnist, Junior Isles.

he rich and famous often put their offshore wind. But with the Eurozone in route, there should be a more sophis- Tmoney offshore, where it is safe crisis and ‘austerity’ the new buzzword, ticated analysis of the affordability and and earns a good return. Unfortunately, some are now singing a different tune. much more engagement with taxpayers many would argue that the same does Commenting on the London Array pro- and consumers. “We are seeing people not quite hold true for wind turbines – at ject on the BBC News recently, one critic peddling messages that say putting up least not at the moment. said: “This is 70% subsidy… it’s incred- wind turbines will reduce costs but there Investing in offshore wind may also ibly expensive to the consumer and in is no evidence that this is the case at be an activity for the wealthy but it diffi cult times that is simply unaccepta- all. There’s been a huge debate around is one with questionable investment ble. Indeed I would say it’s immoral.” energy, carbon and saving the planet but credentials. Looking at the I haven’t seen a single As installation of the fi rst turbines for wider subject of the debate where someone the UK’s London Array project gets under UK Electricity Market has said: ‘Are we confi - way, the spotlight is being put squarely Reform and what it “Maturity will see dent that this is the most on offshore wind. The UK is the world sees as an over- capital costs come cost-effective route for the leader in offshore wind. It currently has focus on wind, a few UK economy?’” about 1.3 GW installed and plans to months ago KPMG down and investors KPMG believes that increase this to 18 GW by 2020. And as published a report become more there are cheaper ways the world’s largest wind power project entitled: ‘Rethinking to hit low carbon targets, – 1,000 MW to be generated from 341 the Unaffordable’. comfortable.” and perhaps there are. turbines – London Array is a signifi cant Mark Powell, UK Most would accept that part of the programme. Power and Utilities offshore wind is expensive With the project costing £2.2 billion leader at KPMG, commented: “There was – around four times the capital cost of (€2.6 bn), some critics argue that the a general assumption that money would gas fi red plant. UK government’s whole approach to a always be available for these types of Gas is now being touted by many low carbon economy that favours wind is investment. The reality now is that most quarters as the way to go. But it is worth too costly to the taxpayer in these tough of the major power companies are not noting that the International Energy economic times. awash with cash. The affordability and Agency said in its publication ‘Are We The desire for a greener future – com- availability of capital is not what is was Entering a Golden Age of Gas?’ that re- bined with the understanding that the when the original assumptions were placing other fossil fuels with gas would industry is in some ways is still in its in- made.” be insuffi cient to meet climate change fancy – has led investors and the public Powell argued that if governments targets. alike to accept the high capital costs of are planning to go down the renewables The cost of offshore wind and the cur- rently high project risks will for now make it the playground of the rich utilities. But Meet Wind Directions’ new columnist as with any technology, maturity will see capital costs come down and investors become more comfortable with project Junior Isles is the Editor-in-Chief of The Energy risks. Industry Times newspaper and an Energy This, along with continued policy Media Consultant with Man in Black Media. support, will no doubt secure the future As a journalist in the power sector since of offshore wind and projects like 1989, he is a well-known commentator on the London Array can only serve to further power and energy sector and often appears the cause. at industry conferences as an accomplished moderator. He has a Bachelor of Engineering Do you agree? Read an alternative view on the state of (BEng) degree in Electronic Engineering from offshore wind energy fi nancing from some of the indus- Middlesex University in the UK. try’s biggest names in the Focus, p. 30, or write and let us know what you think: [email protected]. ■

16 WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011

| CO2 report |

Wind energy is Europe’s top weapon against climate change

Photo: EWEA/Rasmussen

Europe’s wind energy could meet over half of a 30% green- produced in 2010 would therefore have avoided a total of 126 million tonnes of CO (MtCO ). house gas emission target for 2020 on its own, reveals 2 2 The report noted that the EU-27, under the EWEA’s new report. Kyoto Protocol, committed to reducing emis- sions by 7.8% compared to 1990 levels. At least By Chris Rose 50% of these reductions were to be made inside the EU – so-called domestic reductions – while he emissions avoided by the European wind the rest can be achieved by purchasing cred- Tpower sector alone are ample proof that its from projects outside the EU via the Clean Europe can and should increase its greenhouse Development Mechanism or Joint Implementation gas reduction target by 2020 to 30% from the (CDM/JI). These credits from outside the EU are current 20% goal. called “offsets”. That’s the conclusion of a new EWEA report Pointing out that wind and other renewable ener- — ‘Wind energy and EU climate policy: achiev- gy emissions reductions are domestic reductions,

ing 30% lower emissions by 2020’ – which looks and comparing the Kyoto Protocol targets with CO2 at wind energy’s contribution to fi ghting climate avoided by wind energy, the report found that in change. “Wind energy production does not emit 2010, EU wind energy avoided as much as 28% of any greenhouse gases (GHG), unlike coal, gas and the EU’s Kyoto reduction target, which makes 56% oil,” the summary says. Because the electricity of the EU’s domestic reductions target. market uses marginal costs to choose where to “The EU’s current overall GHG reduction target get its power from – that is, the cost of adding is set at 20% for 2020, representing a decrease in more power from a particular generation source emissions of about 1,113 Mt compared to 1990.” “A move to - rather than full investment and operation costs About 60% of the total emissions reductions are 30% domestic - and since wind energy has low marginal costs allowed to come from offsets, hence the EU’s (because the fuel is free), increasing wind energy domestic reduction target is only 40% of the overall reductions by production replaces a mix of gas, coal and oil 2020 target. 2020 will bring generation. Referring to EWEA’s baseline scenario for wind The report was launched at an event with power development to 2020, the report noted the us closer to Commissioner Connie Hedegaard, Danish association forecasts 230 GW of installed capac- 95% reduction Minister Martin Lidegaard and Jo Leinen MEP. ity, producing 581 TWh of electricity and avoiding The European Commission estimates that 342 Mt CO2. by 2050.” these three technologies emitted on average 696g As such, European wind energy production by

CO2/kWh in 2010. The 181 TWh of wind power 2020 should avoid as much as 31% of the EU’s

18 WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 | CO2 report |

20% emissions reduction target. That translates reduction target is put up, industry will needd as a massive 77% of EU domestic reductions met more allowances and so the price will go upp from the wind energy industry alone. If the EU again. The other alternative, says the report,t, raises its 2020 target to a 30% cut, wind energy would be to set aside some of the extra would meet 20% of the target, and still over half allowances that are around now to increasee (51%) of EU domestic reductions. their rarity value. Noting that the EU has no reduction targets EWEA’s third recommendation refers to for the power sector alone, the report says the the money that will come from the future Emissions Trading System (ETS) sets a cap for the auctioning of all allowances for the power power sector and heavy industry together – a 21% sector. Currently, the power industry is giv- reduction from 2005 levels, allowing a 50% use of en a certain number of allowances – that offsets. means it can pollute a certain amount

Comparing the CO2 avoided from wind turbines for free. But as from 2013, almost all al- installed in the timeframe covered by the ETS tar- lowances will be sold at auction to power gets (2005-2010), the report found that turbines producers, meaning Member States could installed since 2005 avoided in 2010 as much as add up to €50 billion per year to their budgets.gets The new report shows

78 MtCO2, equal to 83% of the reductions required EWEA wants 100% of the revenue from this auc- how much CO2 is avoided under the ETS. Once again, wind energy avoids the tioning to fi nance climate mitigation and a shift by wind energy vast majority of required emissions alone – clearly towards a renewable energy economy. a sign that if other industries pulled their weight, The report also pointed out that, since 1995, the targets could easily be put up. wind energy has played an increasing and acceler- By 2020, the report added, the turbines since ating role in the evolution of the power sector.

2005 will have avoided 301 MtCO2, equivalent to “Most of the 84 GW of wind energy installed 64% of the current ETS target, in the EU by the end of 2010 and should the EU move to a were added in the last 10 30% reduction objective, wind “Wind energy avoids the years,” the report notes. “This energy would still reach 53% of vast majority of required signifi cant deployment of wind the ETS reduction target and energy has been instrumental a stunning 107% of the ETS emissions alone – if in reducing greenhouse gas domestic target. This is also other industries pulled emissions from the power equivalent to 173 million cars sector, with more wind power being taken off the EU’s roads their weight, the targets capacity being installed in the - 81% of the EU passenger car could easily be put up.” EU than any other power gener- fl eet! ating technology in the last 10 As a result of those fi nd- years, except for gas.” ings, the EWEA report makes three climate policy It also said that the EU’s current 20% GHG recommendations for 2020, the fi rst of which target is not in line with a recommendation by the involves the EU moving to a 30% domestic reduc- UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change tion target, which it said is achievable in addition calling for industrialised countries to reduce emis- to being benefi cial to the European economy. The sions between 80-95% by 2050 to give the world report stresses that wind power can create thou- a 50% chance of avoiding a catastrophic tempera- sands of high quality new jobs and export oppor- ture rise of more than 2°C. tunities while providing increased energy security. “Keeping within a 2°C temperature rise requires The move to 30% is offi cially supported by the UK a 30% cut in emissions, since a 20% cut does not and Danish governments, but opposed by Poland bring us on a path to an 80-95% 2050 economy- “Europe’s and Italy. wide reduction, but merely to an 80% reduction in “The fi gures above make very clear that wind ETS sectors,” the report said. “A move to 30% do- installed wind power will account for a signifi cant part of the EU mestic reductions by 2020 ensures the setting of energy capacity effort to reduce emissions,” the report said. “So a new linear factor for yearly emission reductions signifi cant, that even with a 30% target, and with that will bring us closer to 95% reduction by 2050.” will avoid CO2 the current rules on access to offsets, wind power The report adds that a strengthened emissions- equivalent to alone can meet over 100% of the domestic ETS reduction target is also needed to secure and reduction effort.” maintain investors’ confi dence in being at the the amount EWEA’s second policy recommendation calls for a forefront of a promising new market. produced by tightened ETS. This is because the ongoing econom- “At some point in the future, all countries will ic crisis has undermined the effectiveness of the be required to reduce emissions. To maintain and 81% of EU ETS: as industrial production slowed down, industry enhance its international competitiveness, the EU passenger cars emitted less CO2, therefore there was an oversup- must start early.” ply of emissions allowances. And when allowances ‘Wind energy and EU climate policy’ can be downloaded from in 2020.“ ■ proliferate, the CO2 price goes down. However, if the www.ewea.org

WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 19 Powering confidence. The V112-3.0 MW, backed by the power of over 1000 MW sold.

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Learn more about why the turbine trusted by the market to deliver results is also the right choice for your next wind energy project at vestas.com/1gw.

| interview | “The ambition must be to have a European energy policy”

Rune Birk Nielsen from the Danish Wind Industry Association spoke to EU Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard about renewables targets, the Emissions Trading System and the upcoming Danish EU presidency.

The EU Member States’ implement energy policy which helps the Member renewable energy action States have better integrated transmission plans show that in 2020 networks. more than 40 GW of off- shore wind energy capacity One of the big challenges is expanding the will be installed, compared European power grid across Europe’s borders. Who to around 3 GW today. Is is responsible for ensuring this happens? this realistic? Offi cially, the responsibility remains with the Yes, I think it certainly is. Member States. But over the past ten years, en- When I visit the different ergy policy has become led more and more at EU EU Member States and talk level because it has been recognised this is nec- to ministers, it is clear that essary in order to have an effi cient energy supply. since the 2009 climate and And so there is a strong focus on the cross-border energy package and its 20% power networks at EU level. We’re addressing the by 2020 renewables target, issue of big electricity interconnections, which can they’ve grown much more transport renewable energy over long distances. specifi c on how to develop So I would say that over the last fi ve to ten years, renewables and meet their the focus on grids at EU level has really grown. targets. And for some of In the proposed 2014–2020 EU budget, the the big countries and for Commission has put a very strong fi nancial focus Photo: EWEA those which have huge offshore wind resources on energy infrastructure. It is the area which we - such as Great Britain and many more - offshore all know is important - not just for the sake of and wind in general will play an important part in renewable energy, but also for reasons of energy meeting the target. So yes, it is ambitious and security. But it is clear that it requires some large it is a huge challenge. But I think it’s realistic. I investments which must be thought through - think there is a problem and it is with fi nancing. what we do fi rst, what we do next, how we ensure It’s often hard to raise money because of the it is done optimally. economic crisis. You talk about a change in the last 10 years with “Energy Can the EU do anything to help countries meet energy policy increasingly decided at EU level and infrastructure is their renewable energy targets if they prove to be the expansion of power networks. Does this mean diffi cult to achieve? that a future European supergrid should be an EU the area which The EU cannot go in and provide capital. The EU matter? we all know can make an energy policy, for example, ensuring Yes, I believe that the ambition must be to have that European transmission networks are linked. a European energy policy - this was actually writ- is important The EU can support and endorse the newer ten into the Treaty of Lisbon for the fi rst time. - not just for energy technologies. Some of the challenges The EU is trying to help countries that are largely surrounding wind energy, for example how to store dependent on gas from Russia, for example, and renewable it, are a great opportunity for EU funding, and the negotiate for them. So we are on the way there. energy, but also EU recovery plan put large amounts of money into But a change in EU countries’ mind-sets is also wind energy. The European Commission has also needed. For a long time the European nations’ for reasons put very large amounts of funding into energy self-understanding was dominated by energy of energy effi ciency. The EU can step in and support new security. Whether there was war or peace, they research, new development and demonstration had to know where their energy was coming from. security.” projects, as well as new technologies. It can also So energy won’t be transformed into a purely EU

22 WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 | interview | issue overnight. But I think that over the past fi ve signal. I just think that the political reality will be “The Poles have to 10 years it has started going in that direction, that if you set a fl oor price, it will quickly come and with the steps we are now taking, it is going to an end with a ceiling and suddenly you don’t left no doubt further still. have a market-based system anymore. I think that climate it’s important to keep in mind that when there is Can you imagine that funding for a European su- a crisis, there is less demand for allowances as is not their pergrid will become an EU issue over time? price falls, but then the price will rise again. There main priority. No, I still believe that it will be put in place is also the option of tightening the objectives through individual projects. I personally think that and requirements. But I think one should be very So, the Danish after 2020 it would be useful to start discussing careful when introducing a fl oor price, because presidency will whether we should have some more harmonised by the time you have negotiated it through the support schemes for renewables and whether parliaments, you end up getting a law. And then be the fi rst we need more uniform feed-in tariffs in Europe. you have a political instrument and not a market- opportunity Because it is not very smart when we compete based instrument. with each other on the feed-in tariffs. When I to discuss the say that this should wait until after 2020, this is In January 2012 Denmark takes over the presi- 2050 energy because I believe that the goals we have set up dency of the EU. What can the Danish presidency in 2020 need to be met fi rst - those who want to do to help the climate agenda? roadmap.” invest should be able to trust what rules apply in The Danish come after the Poles, who have left Denmark, Germany or wherever. no doubt that climate is not their main priority. But I think it’s a discussion that it is impor- So, the Danish presidency will be the fi rst time tant to have and which I believe relates to the Member States have the opportunity to discuss energy roadmap that will be presented by the the soon to be published 2050 energy roadmap. Commission later this year - that we discuss And during the Danish presidency we will all have whether we need more harmonised support to deliver on the energy effi ciency strategy. And schemes so you do not compete for public on climate change there will be a communication support. But there must not only be a single from the European Commission, with an estimate way of fi nancing renewables in the EU. I hope of what may be the next step in terms of raising there are still new ideas. I hope that the pen- our emissions reduction targets. sion fund, PensionDanmark, which has invested So there is much to do and there are great in an offshore wind energy project, can see that expectations for the Danish presidency due to offshore wind does not provide a lower return Denmark’s profi le in this area, which will have a than what they normally invest in. In fact, that very high priority during the Danish presidency. it gives them a little more. But more impor- However the EU Presidency doesn’t mean each tantly, PensionDanmark realises that investing in country can decide things for the EU, but they offshore is not a bad investment. And there is in- can organise things and they can push things in deed a very exciting perspective if we can attract the right direction. And it’s really important that this kind of institutional investors. Denmark does so for the climate. The Danish will be followed by Cyprus, a very small country but Does that mean that the harmonisation of renew- which may have energy and climate as its main able energy subsidies levels is already being priority. So Denmark has a very big role to play discussed by the European Commission? but also a great opportunity to infl uence what will No, not yet. The wind industry itself has said not happen. to tinker with support schemes this side of 2020 because it only creates uncertainty in the market. Will the Danish presidency speed up the debate on But it is clear that when we in the coming months raising the reduction targets? we discuss energy policy from 2020 until 2050 Yes. It will be a part of the discussion. But maybe we must discuss this issue, since we will have more focused on what we specifi cally can do bet- a more “European” energy infrastructure, more ter. Because while the Danish presidency is taking “European” energy. place, the discussion of the budget will acceler- ate, and there is a great deal of money for energy Another thing that has affected investments in effi ciency and renewable energy in the Member renewables is the fl uctuating prices of carbon on States. So, the task is also to focus on the fact the Emissions Trading System. Should the EU set a that we could invest a lot more in energy effi cien- minimum price to ensure that investment incen- cy. There is capital in the budget for those who tives are still there? move in that direction and maybe we can use that It sounds tempting. Especially when the price is as an incentive to be even more ambitious than as low as it is now because of the crisis. Then the 20% reduction towards 2020. And clearly, you could guarantee there was a strong price Denmark will play a big role in this. ■

WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 23  !$ ?8C272>=CA>;  BHBC4A;3F834

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ELECTRIC PITCH SYSTEMS PITCH CONTROL COMPONENTS SLIP RING SOLUTIONS BLADE SENSING SYSTEMS SUPPORT SERVICES | wind worker | Wind worker Meeting some of the over 200,000 people who make the European wind industry tick.

Carolina Garcia Barquero, Operations Director, Vestas Mediterranean

arolina is both Executive Advisor to the Chief coordination, staff and delivery of the project. COperating Offi cer and Operations Director at One of the main challenges of the project was Vestas Mediterranean. combining and managing properly the different in- terests from the different stakeholders involved di- What does your job involve? rectly or indirectly in the project. We had R&D that I work in operations for Vestas Mediterranean, had to be done to install the prototype on time, which covers technology, supply chain, construc- while at the same time we had to deal with political tion and service of wind power plants in Vestas and social concerns. Since there is very little wind s a ta t

Mediterranean. Vestas Mediterranean is the sales energy installed in that area, the understanding of sta st s e Ve V business unit in the Vestas Group responsible for the benefi ts of wind and the relevance of install- : to: o all sales and operations activities in the entire ing a prototype had to be explained to different h Pho Ph Mediterranean basin, Central and South America, groups of stakeholders in the local community. Middle East and around 70% of the African con- That made the permitting process very long – we “I like the fact tinent, a large area with more than 100 different had 45 different permitting procedures to follow! that it’s always countries, cultures and business realities. We were also engaged in different campaigns to I work with the Chief Operating Offi cer as execu- raise awareness about the development of wind in changing – tive advisor. One of the main areas I am dealing the area and the economic, social, environmental there are so with is management of strategic projects that and technological advantages that wind can bring need a special coordination between the different to the region. In addition, we had certain technical many things to functions due to the challenging nature of these and logistic issues to deal with: the turbine compo- do you cannot projects. nents were delivered to the port of Santander and An excellent example of this is the installation, had to be transported to 1,200m above sea level. be bored.” commissioning and operation of Vestas’ V112-3.0 For this purpose, we had to design special tools to MW prototype turbine, one of Vestas’ most recent transport the 55 metre long blades! products for sites with medium to low wind speeds, in Spain. This was the second ever prototype of How did you come to work in the wind industry? a V112 and the fi rst one to be installed outside I started my career in Ciemat, the research centre Denmark for testing on-site at a location present- run by the Spanish ministry of science and tech- ing challenging environmental conditions. Released nology. I started to work in atmospheric physics to the market in 2010, Vestas celebrates today the and turbulence and did my PhD on that subject. 1,000th sold MW of the V112-3.0 MW. Afterwards I moved to socio-economic studies of The prototypes put up in Denmark are normally different types of energy production. Then I moved close to Vestas’ design and manufacturing areas, to wind energy in 1999. In 2003 I went to work in fl at Danish terrain. This time we wanted to run a for Gamesa, where I was in charge of starting up test in different conditions, in complex terrain and the wind and site department. After three years, in high turbulence, so we decided to put it up in in 2006, I joined Vestas in the sales & operations northern Spain. offi ce in Madrid – then we were nine people, we’re My job encompasses leading and coordinating now more than 200! All in all, Vestas has today between many people in different functions and more than 2,000 employees in Spain, including countries to ensure a successful project outcome. also our production set-up. I started in the technol- This includes orchestrating Vestas operational staff, ogy department taking care of complex installation such as construction, transport, installation, deal- projects, and then I became the director of the ing with the local authorities about the permitting technology dept in Vestas Mediterranean. In 2010 process, handling local NIMBYism concerns, and I moved to my current position, which gives me a so on. All in all, in I was responsible for the budget, broader vision of all the business.

WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 25

| wind worker |

What is a typical day like? are so many things to do you cannot be bored! That is the best part of the job – there is no typical But I think that’s a wind industry and a Vestas day! That’s the reason why I moved into the wind characteristic – everything you propose is taken industry from a research centre. The wind industry into account, the only limit is yourself! If you is moving so fast. propose something reasonable which means However, on a normal day I arrive here, I attend sense for our customers and the business, in meetings with different functions to make the general, you have open doors to take it further! planning or follow up of ongoing projects…. If it Maybe the downside is that sometimes you is a quiet day I have time to read my emails and may feel that you lack time for yourself and organise documentation, prepare for the meetings. your family. But this is also because I am very I have to travel frequently. Yesterday for example I demanding of myself. No-one asks me to do arrived from the Middle East for a meeting there. long days and work at weekends but there’s so much to do, so many interesting projects to be What are you favourite and least favourite parts of involved in and the future is so exciting, that it’s the job? diffi cult to stop, when you are passionate about I like the fact that it’s always changing – there what you do!

Juan Ruiz-Jarabo, Managing Director, Enercon Spain

Tell me about your job. sustainability was something important; I was I’m the manager of Enercon Spain, and that em- studying computer engineering at that time braces lots of different responsibilities as we’re a and fi nally went to the US for one year, which small team of about 30 people. It includes offi ce was a great experience. I then worked for three management, doing lobby work with the Spanish years in a strategic consulting company, but I wind energy association, market monitoring and realised this wasn’t the sector for me. I wanted much more. to combine sustainability and my engineering background, so I studied a master’s in renew- What is a typical day like for you? able energy in Madrid and applied to the major At the moment it can be quite hard as we some- wind companies in Germany and Spain. I got a times have shocking surprises from the Spanish very good proposal from Enercon about three industry minister regarding regulation. We are and a half years ago and I moved to Germany, working really hard to have a positive situation for but in the end I moved back to Spain, still with wind energy in Spain. Enercon, after three months. Recently I moved to In Spain we’re facing elections on 20 November, Madrid as we opened an offi ce here last year. and we are working closely with the minister for a new framework from renewables starting in 2013. What’s your favourite part of your job? Photo: Enercon The ministry unexpectedly published a draft of the I’m very happy to work in this fi eld - a good sen- regulatory framework and it was the opposite of tence to summarise Enercon is that decisions can what we expected. So we are trying to push from take some time to come but when they do, we the bottom, from the regions. When you have a wind move very fast. farm in a region you pay some taxes and create jobs I’m where I am because I believe in this sec- by building and maintaining the farm. It is a good tor and that clean energy should be one of the source of wealth for the region, so the regions are main drivers of the society. We read in the news the fi rst ones to notice the benefi ts of wind energy. that the Arctic ice is melting and that this has no The Spanish regions are pushing the national gov- impact! With wind energy, I am working for things I “The ministry ernment, stating renewables should be taken as an really believe in and hoping this will be part of the economic motor rather than saying for example that solution. Maybe it’s too idealistic but I hope we unexpectedly the feed-in tariff is a cost. will leave a better world for our children than the published a draft So recent days have dealt with these issues, one we received. but generally I give support internally for market of the regulatory opportunities with big companies or utilities, and I What is your least favourite part? framework and it strongly support production development. Well, there is lots of travelling – that’s one reason I moved to Madrid, the fl ight connections are bet- was the opposite When did you start working in the wind energy ter. In Spain the regions are very important so you of what we industry, and why? are obliged to travel a lot. It’s something you have During my time at university I felt that to keep in mind. ■ expected.”

WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 27 | country focus |

In 2011, Wind Directions will take a look at a selection of wind A closer look at energy markets across Europe and beyond. the Netherlands... By Zoë Casey

The Netherlands Wind Energy Association (NWEA) explained that offshore wind can, in theory, apply for support under the government’s SDE+ scheme. However, the scheme works on a ‘fi rst come, fi rst served’ basis and opens in four phases, where the cheapest renewables can apply in the fi rst phase (less than €0.09/kWh). This year the fi rst-phase budget was most likely exhausted on the fi rst day it opened. NWEA expects the same to happen next year. NWEA has recently signed a deal with the government termed the ‘Green Deal’ on offshore wind energy. NWEA say they

Photo: iStockphoto will form a business coalition of compa- nies and organisations which will con- or many people the slow creak and faint Today there are 2,017 MW onshore tribute to lowering the costs of offshore Fwhoosh of wooden sails turning on a and in the coming years more wind wind energy by 40% by 2020. Plans for windmill is the sound of the Netherlands. farms are set to come online. The this will be outlined at EWEA OFFSHORE And for centuries this low-lying country was Noordoostpolder wind farm (450 MW) 2011 in Amsterdam. the home of traditional wind power. – which could raise Dutch renewable Theo Bruijninckx, board chairman of In 1850 some 10,000 traditional energy output by 0.7% by 2014, the Ballast Nedam NV, said that on signing windmills were in use in the Netherlands; Zuidlob wind farm (108 MW), Krammer the Green Deal, “the government clearly today 1,000 are still standing. Now there (100 MW) and De Drentse Monden indicates that offshore wind energy has is a new generation of windmills. With (300-400 MW) will be constructed. priority in the sustainable policy...the a total installed capacity of 2,245 MW, The industry moved offshore in 2006 current position of the offshore industry wind power still plays a vital role – it when the Egmond aan Zee offshore will be strengthened and expanded... generates 4.1% of the country’s electric- wind farm was built. A second farm was following the example of Britain and ity, a level which is projected to increase built out to sea in 2008 – the Princess Germany, this will provide many green to 19.9% - 25.1% by 2020. Amalia Wind Farm which has an installed jobs,” he said. However, political ambition on re- capacity of 120 MW. Blessed with shal- The current uncertainty for the industry, newables in the Netherlands fl uctuates. low sandbanks along the coastline, the particularly offshore, raises questions over The previous government aimed for 20% Netherlands has a considerable offshore whether or not the Netherlands will be able renewable energy by 2020 with a major wind potential. Currently it has just two to reach its 2020 renewable energy target. share from wind power, but the current operational offshore wind farms, with a If it does not, it is likely that it will have to Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, reduced the total installed capacity of 228 MW. Two source renewable energy from outside the target to 14%. more should begin construction soon country – at the cost of investing in off- The wind industry took off in the in the waters north of Waddensee. But shore wind power now, but without creating Netherlands in 1990s after the fi rst offshore faces political challenges. any economic activity in the country. ■ renewable energy and environment goals were established in 1989. However, as political ambition goes up and down, so The Netherlands – the wind energy facts too do installations. In 2008 a record 348 MW were added – including the country’s biggest farm in Eemshaven, TOTAL INSTALLED CAPACITY ...... 2,245 MW Groningen (88 turbines with a total AMOUNT OF ELECTRICITY GENERATED BY WIND 2011 ...... 4.1% capacity of 264 MW); the following year, 2020 TARGET ...... 9,500 – 11,400 MW however, just 5 MW were added.

28 WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011  (K]LY[PZLTLU[

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Photo: Stiftung OffshoreWinWinindEndEdEnnergerr iee The industry that’s becoming a giant

As with any maturing industry, the offshore wind energy sector will have some teething pains before it reaches its full potential. As the industry meets at EWEA OFFSHORE 2011 in Amsterdam, Chris Rose asks what the obstacles are, whether they can be overcome, and if so, how?

urope’s growing offshore wind sector can “The offshore wind industry is still on a learning Ereplicate the success of the onshore industry curve and lots of things still need to be tried but in terms of market deployment, cost competitive- we are defi nitely moving in the right direction”, ness and technological maturity. Søe-Jensen said in an interview from Denmark. That’s the enthusiastic prediction from Anders Søe-Jensen was one of a number of people- Søe-Jensen, President of Vestas Offshore, who contacted by Wind Directions to canvas the state added, however, that before the nascent sec- of the European offshore wind sector since they tor can reach its true potential the entire supply were already scheduled to participate in EWEA’s chain has to be industrialised so that the cost of offshore wind event in Amsterdam in November. energy is signifi cantly reduced. During the conference, EWEA is releasing a new

30 WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 | focus |

report showing that total European offshore wind power capacity is expected to reach almost 4 GW by the end of this year, which confi rms the region as the world leader in offshore wind (see article on p. 34 ). Søe-Jensen said the offshore sector needs dedicated tools so that the cost of energy pro- duced can be lowered. “Compared to onshore, you are working in a totally different environment. We need an offshore mind-set for an industry born onshore.” Søe-Jensen said he is confi dent the sector will become a major part of many European countries’ energy portfolios despite the ongoing, and pos- sibly worsening, fi nancial crisis. He added nuclear- and coal-fi red plants in some EU nations are being phased out even though there is clearly an increasing demand for larger amounts of electricity. “Offshore wind is defi nitely part of that answer,” he said. He also said it is important to realise that, while some traditional fossil fuel plants are being closed, employing the wind industry is one of the fastest ways of building replacement power Photo: GWEC plants. An offshore wind farm creates jobs for 25 years after construction Not only that, he said, but the cost of wind is basically free and the cost of energy generated by wind is defi nitely decreasing. He also predicted that the industry would undergo Søe-Jensen, who believes that the European more thorough testing in the future. “The industry offshore sector “is going to be a far bigger will be massive but we’ll have to be much better industry” within a decade, said having nations as an industry in verifying testing results. You state their various required energy mixes for the have to educate and you have to prove.” next 10 to 20 years would also be benefi cial for In terms of social acceptance, he said there an investment community seeking business-case is no doubt that NIMBYism plays a role in wind certainty. farms proposed for the onshore sector but that In addition, he said, the permitting processes simply isn’t perceived to be much of a factor off- for proposed offshore wind farms have to be much shore since wind turbines are largely out of sight smoother and quicker to reduce building costs. from coastlines. Indeed in the US, surveys of residents liv- A technical job ing near Cape Wind off Massachusetts, the fi rst In terms of fi nancing, he believes more large pen- offshore wind project proposed in North American sion funds will invest in offshore wind because waters, and NRG Bluewater Wind, which was the sector will increasingly be seen as a safe bet the fi rst offshore wind project to secure a power that offers a good return on investments. purchase agreement in the Americas and is to be He said that another aspect of the offshore located near Rehoboth, Delaware, reveal energy sector that needs to be emphasised is that the independence is a signifi cant motivating factor many job opportunities — not only in construction among those who have consistently supported but also in operations and maintenance — are the projects. massive and often overlooked. “The reality is [an There is also no doubt that wind energy is the offshore wind farm] creates potential jobs for 25 most accepted energy form for the future, he said, years after construction.” adding the need to reduce toxic CO2 pollution Søe-Jensen said it is extremely important the will continue to be a factor in the development of offshore sector embraces technological innova- emissions-free offshore wind power. tions such as fl oating platforms and larger tur- Asked what he thought the European offshore bines. “Anything that will ensure us getting down wind sector needs to do to remain the global Anders Søe-Jensen, the cost of energy is welcome.” leader, especially considering the intention of President of Vestas Offshore

WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 31 | focus |

he said the respective technologies have to become competitive with fossil alternatives as fast as possible, thereby reducing the need for fi nancial support mechanisms and political risk. “Continuously reducing the costs and increas- ing the performance of offshore wind and other renewable technologies across the whole value chain whilst driving governments to effective and reliable policy frameworks are the key priorities for the industry,” Winkel said. While climate change remains a key driver for growth in the renewables sector, he said concerns about security of supply and fuel dependence have also recently become drivers. Winkel said the company has committed to further grow offshore wind while also reducing installation costs by 40% by 2015, compared to 2010 levels. The offshore wind industry is “We have already identifi ed levers to imple- working to bring prices down ment most of this cost-reduction target,” he said. Photo: REpower “Fostering competition amongst suppliers while at the same time cooperating across the industry to many Asian nations to signifi cantly tap into their drive performance is key.” offshore resources, Søe-Jensen said further research and development has to be carried out Becoming predictable so that “we can learn, industrialise and get even The profi tability of offshore wind farms depends better.” heavily on the ability to predict and deliver maxi- Returning to his overall point, he added that mum power output at competitive costs, said business-case certainty needs to be provided in Thomas Duffey, who is taking part in the “great order for the entire sector to build dedicated tools outdoors” stream at EWEA’s conference. that will help develop its potential. Duffey, who works as a project manager with “The cost of energy simply has to come down, 3E, a Brussels-headquartered consultancy, said and we, as a turbine manufacturer, are doing eve- delivering maximum power output at competitive rything we can to make that happen,” he noted. costs requires an in-depth knowledge of the wind resource. The race to become competitive He said LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) As Chief Executive Offi cer at measurement technology is becoming E.ON Climate & Renewables, one of the standards in wind industry Mike Winkel is also scheduled “Offshore wind for wind resource assessment. to take part in the fi rst major is still a young “A LIDAR device is an optical panel session debate at EWEA remote sensing technology that can OFFSHORE 2011. industry, and measure the distance to, or other prop- Referring to the panel it requires erties (such as speed) of, a target by debate, which will address illuminating the target with light, often the question of whether the scale and using pulses from a laser,” Duffey said. European offshore wind power industrialisation “With this technique, it is possible to industry can replicate the suc- know with a high degree of accuracy cess of onshore wind technolo- to make it the evolution of the wind speed as a gy, Winkel said both the industry competitive.” function of time and height.” and governments must do their While a precise assessment of the

Photo: EON part in helping the sector thrive. wind resource is of great importance, “Offshore wind is still a young industry, and he said it is also necessary to understand that an it requires both the scale and industrialisation incorrect assessment of wind behaviour — includ- we have seen in onshore years ago, to make it ing turbulence, gusts, extreme wind speed and similarly competitive,” Winkel said. wind speed distribution — may impact the perfor- Mike Winkel, Chief In order to realise the signifi cant growth poten- mance of the turbines, the component lifetime or Executive Offi cer at E.ON tial of offshore wind power and other renewables, even the structural integrity of the turbines.

32 WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 | focus |

“Both short-term and long-term characteristics all existing wind turbine manufacturers keep using of the wind and the corresponding predictabil- gearboxes. ity are important,” he said, adding that 3E and “And right in this moment, as we speak, Geosea are developing a fl exible, accurate and probably a good quarter of a million large wind cost-effective fl oating LIDAR-based offshore wind turbines are running on gearboxes somewhere on measurement system, the FLIDAR, in order to Earth reliably,” he added. reduce the prohibitive cost of deploying a fi xed Zimmerman said he is certain that reliability in measurement mast. offshore wind is an extremely important feature He said that the FLIDAR should reduce the “and in the end a turbine has to deliver — regard- costs of offshore wind resource assessments, less, what kind of components it’s made of.” decrease permitting requirements, increase In terms of substructures, some now consider accuracy of data measurements, provide fast, that fl oating wind turbines may be preferable effi cient and fl exible resource to near-shore, bottom-founded measurement campaigns, and “Thinking about turbines. This is because winds are have an ability to evaluate wind offshore wind, typically stronger and more consist-

resource around and within a wind ent further offshore, so they pro- Photo: REpower farm — including turbulence and I do not know if vide greater siting fl exibility since Frank Zimmermann, wakes — before, during and after depth is no longer a primary issue, there is a ‘wrong’ Head of Offshore at REpower construction. and they reduce visual impact from or a ‘right’.” shore. For more on substructures, Gearing up see p. 38. Frank Zimmermann, Head of Offshore at REpower Systems of Hamburg, is speaking at a panel com- The fi nancing issue paring direct drive technology versus gearboxes. Like others contacted for this story, Christian “Quite frankly, thinking about offshore wind, Kjaer, EWEA CEO, was upbeat about the future for I do not know if there is a ‘wrong’ or a ‘right’,” European offshore wind. Zimmerman said. “Only time will tell if there is a “I have that confi dence because we have clear ‘winner’ or if both systems will continue to done it before with onshore wind,” Kjaer said. co-exist.” “Can we replicate our onshore success offshore? Zimmerman said that even though a number Technically, of course we can but it does require of com panies have experienced good business more emphasis on research and development, success with direct drive technology in onshore increased scale in the market and attention paid applications in recent years, the vast majority of to required infrastructure.”

Optical sensing technology can measure the amount of wind out at sea

WINDWWINWIIINND DDIDIRECTIONSIRECRREECECTIOTTIIIOONSNS | DDeDecDecembereeccemembemmbbeerr 202012201100111 33

Photo: 3E | focus |

“Pension funds, bonds and others are stepping into the void left by risk-adverse banks.”

Securing fi nancing for Despite those challenges, Kjaer expects European offshore wind projects can offshore wind capacity will reach 40 GW by 2020 be a major challenge and 150 GW by 2030. “But it does require build- ing electricity infrastructure and political commit- ments with regard to developing the technology.” He said the offshore wind resource is so enor- Photo: Vestas mous that potential wind power from the North Sea alone could power Europe seven times over. He added obtaining fi nancing for expensive “This is the biggest resource [Europe has] offshore wind projects and related infrastructure and we are not utilising it,” he said, adding components such as offshore electricity grids is a politicians have to give clarity to promoting off- challenge, especially considering current prob- shore wind beyond 2020, agree to a method of lems facing European banks. Kjaer noted, how- fi nancing related infrastructure projects through- ever, that large pension funds, bonds and other out the region and spend more R&D money on institutional lenders are increasingly stepping into promising technologies that can be incorpo- the void left by risk-adverse banks. rated into the sector. ■

Amsterdam: an appropriate host city for EWEA OFFSHORE 2011

According to some, what is now the best-known Dutch city began early in the last millennium after people began fl oat- ing down the river Amstel in hollowed-out logs. Over the years, these hardy souls are said to have begun creating a series of rudimentary dams, dykes and boats which helped them to begin charging tolls from passing traders. By 1300, Amsterdam got its fi rst charter, but it wasn’t until 1602 that the growing city came into its own with the establishment, and majority share, of the soon-to-be fabu- lously wealthy and powerful Dutch East India Company. The company became the fi rst multinational in the world which resulted in a period of unprecedented boom and pros- perity, causing the 17th century to become known in Holland as the ‘Golden Age’. Always aware of the power of water — in addition to an Photo: iStockphoto extremely low sea level, storm surges, a rainy climate and The Dutch built dykes, fortifi cations and last but not least sporadic fl ooding from the nearby major rivers — wary city wind and watermills to create new land. The Netherlands’ offi cials began building some of the city’s fi rst canals during oldest mill is a watermill that dates back to the eighth cen- this period. tury. These techniques were used to pump dry hundreds of By 1876, the North Sea Canal was built, which fi nally lakes and swamps and to prevent land from fl ooding. Today, gave Amsterdam a direct connection to the ocean while windmills are characteristic of the Dutch landscape and a ushering in another prosperous era. symbol of the Dutch struggle with water. With a current population of about 750,000, Amsterdam There are said to be more than 1,000 windmills in today still boasts 165 canals, more than 1,280 bridges and Holland today, including some that are more than 40 metres eight windmills. high. As Amsterdam and the rest of The Netherlands were It is therefore an appropriately windy and watery city for expanding, the Dutch were also taking advantage of their fl at EWEA’s offshore event, OFFSHORE 2011, which is taking and windy terrain by employing windmills to both grind grain place there from 29 November to 1 December. and pump water from low-lying fi elds. More information: www.ewea.org/offshore2011

34 WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 | focus - offshore report |

Offshore wind report predicts

great success while warning Wind in Our Sails of challenges

EWEA Chris Rose takes a look inside the covers of EWEA’s newest report and fi nds out what needs to happen to ensure the offshore wind energy sector grows Wind in Our Sails The coming of Europe’s offshore wind energy industry as it should. A report by the European Wind Energy Association - 2011

t a time of great economic uncertainty min- 2020, 40 GW of offshore wind power will meet Agled with fears of runaway climate change and over 4% of the EU’s total electricity demand and diminishing energy supplies, Europe’s growing off- avoid 87 million tonnes of CO2 emissions - the shore wind sector is a powerful untapped weapon equivalent of taking 44 million cars out of service. that can drive the region to a new and successful Looking further into the future, the report says future. that between 2020 and 2030 a further 110 GW That is the unwavering conclusion of a major of offshore wind capacity is expected to be added new report on the sector, ‘‘Wind in our Sails – the in European waters. That accumulated capacity coming of Europe’s offshore wind energy indus- of 150 GW of wind power, the report continues, try’, just published by EWEA. would cover 14% of the EU’s 2030 electricity

Noting that the fi rst offshore wind farm was demand and avoid 315 million tonnes of CO2 inaugurated in 1991, 2.5 km off the Danish coast emissions – the equivalent of taking 159 million at Vindeby and featuring total capacity of 4.95 cars out of service. MW, the report said that by the end of last year, “The projected growth of offshore wind energy 2,946 MW of offshore wind capacity in 45 wind resembles the growth witnessed in the onshore farms spread across nine countries were feed- wind sector at a similar time in the industry’s ing an estimated 10.6 TWh of electricity into the development,” the executive summary states. European grid. “Onshore wind energy deployment picked up But the report quickly added that the best is speed in the mid-1990s. With a 15 year differ- yet to come. ence, offshore wind seems, today, to be following EWEA expects about 1 GW of new offshore a similar growth path.” wind capacity to be installed in European waters The sector, however, faces serious challenges during the course of 2011, bringing total offshore that need to be dealt with before it can fully tap wind capacity to almost 4 GW and confi rming into its potential and exploit the benefi ts of such Europe as the world leader in the sector. a clean and abundant energy source, the report “Currently, almost 6 GW of offshore wind cautions. capacity is under construction in Europe, 17 GW “Europe needs to set ambitious, but achiev- have been consented by EU Member States and able, renewable energy targets beyond 2020, in- there are future plans for a further 115 GW,” the vest in wind power research and development and report says. develop the grid infrastructure to bring offshore What this means is that over 140 GW of wind wind’s power from the seas to the main areas of energy capacity – nearly fi fty times the amount energy consumption on land.” “Europe currently installed - is somewhere in the planning Developing offshore wind power as a new needs to set stages in Europe. In other words, the potential industrial sector will play a key role in Europe’s is huge not only in terms of the sheer size of the future renewable energy economy, the report said, ambitious, but resource, but also in terms of the developer and and provide signifi cant opportunities for growth achievable, investor desire to turn those howling offshore and job creation. winds into electricity for European consumers. “However, a prerequisite for this is the provi- renewable Taking this into account, EWEA in the report sion by governments and the European Union of energy targets expects “that during this decade, offshore wind stable legislative frameworks for offshore wind, power capacity in Europe will grow tenfold.” By and access to and availability of, suffi cient levels beyond 2020.”

WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 35 | focus |

of fi nancing,” the report notes. “In order to reap high investment costs and long lead times for the benefi ts the offshore wind power sector of- new capacity. It also found “signifi cant advances fers, governments need to play their role.” are being made in the use of high voltage direct The report estimates that the overall wind current cables with a wider range of suppliers.” energy industry will employ 462,000 people in In addition, the report found there is a move 2020, with 169,500, almost 40%, employed in towards considering higher voltages for connec- the offshore sector. tions between turbines within an offshore wind That steep rise in employment numbers is ex- farm. pected to continue, the report adds, with offshore However, the report added that without in- jobs expected by 2030 to count for 62% of total creased capacity in manufacturing, a shortage of employment in the wind energy industry: about HV subsea cables is likely. 300,000 jobs out of a total of 480,000. While vessel specialisation is increasing in This rapid and successful expansion could al- the sector, the report noted that jack-up vessels low Europe to exploit future export opportunities remain the industry’s workhorse. in other emerging markets, the report said. “Jack-up designs are expected to continue to Over the coming two decades, the report dominate vital installation procedures and particu- notes, offshore wind will move rapidly from an larly turbine installation,” the report said, adding emerging, immature technology to a key compo- the vessel supply chain outlook is strong through nent of the EU’s energy mix. to 2015 with several new builds and increased As a result, competition across the supply levels of competition. chain for offshore wind is increasing with an Turning to ports that have in the past serviced infl ux of signifi cant new entrants. In addition, the industry, the report found components are the report said, developers and suppliers could now being exported directly from manufacturing become more knowledgeable facilities to offshore wind farms to concerning the risks involved “By 2030, save on logistical costs. and deal with them in a more The report also said there is, cost effective way. offshore jobs will however, “a drive in certain regions The dynamics of the offshore count for 62% of towards cluster-building for offshore wind supply chain may also shift wind manufacturing in closely located signifi cantly with the emergence total employment ports.” of major contractors from the off- in the wind In the foreword to the report, shore oil and gas and traditional Günther Oettinger, EU Energy maritime sectors. industry.” Commissioner, said the growing off- The report also found that shore wind industry could help Europe the sector’s increasing reliability is driving down build a green energy future. costs. “At a time where Europe is at a major cross- “An impressive and growing list of manufactur- roads for its energy future, offshore wind provides ers are developing new wind turbines dedicated a powerful domestic answer to Europe’s energy to the offshore wind sector,” the report said. “It supply and climate dilemma,” Oettinger said, is estimated that the supply of offshore wind adding development of the sector will not happen turbines will meet and exceed demand for the without ambitious national programmes and sup- next decade, leading to healthy levels of competi- port from the European Union. tion within Europe with the potential for export to In order to make the necessary investments, emerging offshore markets.” he added, the industry needs certainty, a stable Design trends, specialised knowledge, im- post-2020 legislative framework and more innova- proved reliability and structural effi ciencies are tive fi nancing. helping to offset costs involved in developing Oettinger also warned that the sector would challenging projects that are moving further from not reach its potential without solid, reliable elec- shore and into deeper waters, the report added. tricity networks. The report said the manufacturing of substruc- “They are – and will become even more - the tures could bring a signifi cant amount of supply backbone of our energy system,” he said. “The chain value as they represent a large part of the European Commission, in its energy infrastructure capital expenditure in an offshore wind farm. For package, stresses the urgent need to invest in an in-depth look at substructures, see p. 38. energy infrastructure in order to transport large In terms of subsea cables, the report deter- amounts of offshore wind energy to the consump- mined that there is a limited range of suppliers tion centres.” for high voltage (HV) subsea cables because of The report can be downloaded from www.ewea.org ■

36 WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 | focus - interview |

“Globalisation will bring new opportunities for European offshore wind”

Henrik Stiesdal, Chief Technology Offi cer for Siemens Wind Power, answered Sarah Azau’s questions on offshore wind, fi nancing and cost effi ciency.

In recent times there has been a fi nancing squeeze Probably the main challenges relate to the long-term in all areas. How has this affected the offshore wind political and economical stability. energy sector? So far the fi nancing squeeze has not really been Critics say that offshore wind is far too expensive. felt very much in the offshore wind industry. I guess What needs to happen to make it cost effi cient? the main reasons are that many deals are balance The clear target of all key players in the wind sheet fi nanced by very solid companies, and that industry is to drive wind power to wholesale parity. many parties can clearly see the long-term solidity At Siemens we do this by focusing on all elements of the business. In that respect we are very different of wind power plants. This obviously includes our from many other businesses. product portfolio, including our technology, the production processes and the logistics. But it also At the moment, all but one of the world’s offshore encompasses technologies such as electrical infra- wind farms are in Europe. Why is this, and which structure for wind farms, because we believe that other non-European countries are likely to develop our customers can benefi t from our serial produc- offshore wind farms? How could this affect the tion approach. European industry? We believe that we can contribute in all of Photo: Siemens Wind Power Siemens installed the world’s fi rst offshore wind pow- these fi elds with our knowledge and we co-operate er plant in Denmark in 1991. The fi rst large projects closely with our customers to drive the vision of were also built in Denmark, including Middelgrunden, wholesale parity forward. Samsoe, Horns Rev and Nysted, but it only really took One example of how we move things forward is off roughly 10 years after Vindeby. The same applies the low weight of our new offshore turbine, the 6 for other countries – in the UK there was a lot of MW. The weight of a nacelle is an important factor initial planning and design activity in the second half for the overall material costs, not only directly on of the 1990s, but large-scale projects only happened the material costs for the machine itself, but also roughly 10 years later. Empirically it simply takes indirectly on the materials costs of the supporting quite a long time to get both the planning systems structures like towers and fundaments. and the logistics in place. On the logistical side we strive for a reduction in Offshore wind farms are already being installed project installation costs through the optimisation and operated in China, and the US is likely to follow of installation vessels. This is what creates value shortly. Japan may follow in the mid term. for our clients and that is why Siemens holds a This globalisation will affect the European indus- share of A2Sea. We will see a lot more cost reduc- try in the way any market expansion does, i.e. with tion potential as the wind industry continues to new opportunities. industrialise.

What needs to happen at EU level to ensure the If you could pick two or three main trends or “The grid potential of Europe’s offshore sector is fully tapped? changes to offshore wind energy technology we are What are the main challenges the manufacturers are likely to see in the next ten years or more, what eventually facing at the moment? would they be? needs to be The regulatory frameworks across Europe coun- Some of the main trends will be a growing domi- tries need to be harmonised and the grid eventu- nance of direct drive technology, for all the well- extended if we ally needs to be extended if we as a society are known reasons. Another will be innovative infra- as a society serious about climate protection. Unharmonised structure arrangements, including new foundation approval processes extend the planning phases types. Here the Chinese are actually ahead at this are serious and lead to higher costs. Without the necessary point in time, testing out a range of different foun- about climate grid connections offshore wind power can not be dation types. A third will be innovative installation transported to the load centres where it is needed. arrangements, including truly serialised systems. ■ protection.”

WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 37 | focus - substructures |

Beneath the surface

With information from EWEA’s new report, ‘Wind in our Sails’, Sarah Azau investigates offshore wind energy substructures.

hile those of us who have been lucky enough under. The monopile is simple to make, not too Wto see an offshore wind turbine in action expensive, and easy to install in these shallower may well have marvelled at the height of the waters. However, it is not currently used in deeper nacelle or the rhythmic pulse of the blades, it is waters as it becomes less stable. less likely that we will have been awestruck by the Then there is what’s known as a “gravity based bottom bit of the turbine – the “substructure” – structure” (GBS), which sits on the seabed, with much of which is hidden deep below the water’s sand, concrete, rock or iron ore pumped in to surface. maximise the weight of the foundation and so its Yet the substructure is of paramount impor- stability. GBSs can be currently used in up to 30 tance, particularly in the frequently harsh marine metres of water. environment of an offshore wind farm. It needs to Finally, there are “space frame structures” be strong and stable enough to ensure minimal which means they use several piles. These come risk of the turbine shifting no matter the violence in three types (see the diagrams) – “tripods” of the wind and waves, yet it also needs to be and “tripiles”, which as their names imply, both practical and cost-effi cient to manufacture and have three legs - and “jackets”. Jackets, which transport. have been used for years by the offshore oil and gas industry, are more complex structures, Discovering the details costing more to produce, but result in a lower At the moment, there are three main types of mass for the same level of stiffness as the substructure for offshore turbines, chosen based other space frame foundations. So far, jackets on the cost, the water depth, the nature of the have been used at four wind farms: the Beatrice seabed and the turbine. The most common is the Demonstrator in UK waters (2006), Alpha Ventus monopile (see diagram) – a steel pole or “pile” in German waters (2009), Thornton Bank in embedded into the seabed. Monopiles are nearly Belgian waters (2011) and Ormonde in UK wa- always used for water depths of 20-25 metres or ters (2011).

Examples of typical substructure design

Monopile Gravity Base Structure (GBS) Space Frame (Tripod) Space Frame (Jacket) Space Frame (Tri-pile)

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Various different fl oating concepts are being developed, with Statoil’s “Hywind” the only one to have undergone long term testing full size so far: Statoil put a Siemens 2.3 MW machine on a fl oating platform off south-west Norway in 2009. Photo: Statoil Hydro Others include the BlueH, which was installed as a non grid-connected prototype off southern Italy in 2007-8, and the WindFloat project by Principle Power and partners such as EDP and Vestas, which installed a Vestas 2 MW turbine for testing in Portuguese waters in September (see p. 41). Perhaps the most signifi cant point about sub- The Hywind fl oats off the coast of south-west Norway structures for the offshore wind energy industry, Looking forward or those looking to get involved in the offshore Over time, it is likely that monopiles will continue wind energy industry, is that the technical barriers to be used wherever conditions are appropriate, to manufacturing are not very high. New produc- with GBSs suited to shallower, more sheltered tion facilities can also be set up fairly quickly. The sites. The use of space frame structures should manufacturing of substructures, then, is a clear continue to grow as deeper water locations are potential move for large marine engineering fi rms developed. who want to get into the offshore wind business. One of the newer areas of offshore turbine The signifi cant part an offshore substructure technology is the development of fl oating plat- represents in overall capital costs of the turbine forms. Many of Europe’s seas are too deep for the – 20% - also shows that even without manufactur- conventional offshore substructures. The majority ing turbines, a company producing substructures of the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and the seas will have an important role in the offshore wind around Norway have a water depth of over 50 energy supply chain. metres, making a fl oating concept potentially the More information on substructures can be found in EWEA’s new best economic solution. report, ‘Wind in our Sails’, free to download on www.ewea.org. ■

The map and table show which companies currently manufacture which types of substructure, and where in Europe they are based.

Who builds which substructures? No. on map Company Notes 1 Sif Group Established supplier of monopile foundations - industry leader 2,3,4 Smulders Established manufacturer of monopile and jacket foundations.- industry -leader 5 Bladt Established manufacturer of monopile and jacket foundations –industry leader 6 EEW Supplier of monopile foundations - recent market entrant 7 Weserwind Established supplier of tripod foundations with jacket capabilities. 8 BiFAB Established supplier of jacket foundations – industry leader 9 Aker Supplier of tripod and jacket foundations - recent entrant 10 Harland and Wolff Manufacturer with probable focus on jacket foundations - new entrant. 11 Tata Steel Manufacturer with probable focus on monopiles - new entrant. 12 TAG Manufacturer with probable focus on monopiles - new entrant 13 Heerema Manufacturer with probable focus on jacket foundations - new entrant 14 Cuxhn. Steel. Established supplier of tri-pile foundations - owned by Bard Group. 14 Strabag Supplier of gravity base foundations – new entrant.

40 WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 | focus - substructures |

Keeping afl oat

Like the Hywind and other fl oating platforms, ‘WindFloat’ is based on designs from the oil and gas industry. It is a triangle, with the wind turbine fi tted onto one of the corners. The whole platform is ‘semisubmersible’ – that is, put partially under water, with water inside the platform as a ‘ballast’ to weigh it down and provide stability. Each column has a plate of steel, known as a ‘heave plate’ on the bottom providing further damping. The whole structure is about two- thirds underwater, kept down with permanent water ballasts contained within the three columns. In September this year, the ‘WindFloat’ was towed out to sea for testing 5km from Aguçadoura, in the north of Portugal, with a 2 MW Vestas turbine, as shown in the pictures below. The project partners will be carrying out tests on the system for approximately 12 months. If testing goes well, the ‘WindFloat’ platform could be commercially available as soon as 2013. It will be suitable for water depths greater than 50 metres – ideally suited, then, to the 60-80 metres of water depth in which it would be placed off Portugal’s coast and potentially in several other locations around the world. ‘WindFloat’ partners are Principle Power, EDP Inovação, A. Silva Matos and Vestas. The Portuguese government is supporting the project.

The turbine is brought out of the harbour in which it was built As the sun comes up, during the night the turbine makes its way through the Sado Estuary towards the sea

The turbine is towed along Portugal’s Atlantic coast towards its destination

Photos: EDP-Adelino Oliveira

Once it is in place, the fl oating wind turbine will undergo 24 months of testing

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Wind Technology is a Supplement to Renewable Energy World SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER 2011 WIND TECHNOLOGY

JULY–AUGUST 2011 VOLUME 14 NUMBER 4 RENEWABLE GROWTH 2011-2012 GLOBAL STATUS REPORT REVIEW ISSUE PLUS DIRECTORY OF SUPPLIERS

MOVING PRODUCTION COMES OF AGE

OVERCOME OFFSHORE SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES

SENSORS CRUCIAL FOR SUCCESS NEW SOLAR SECTOR ANALYSIS GLOBAL WIND PROGRESS A leading analyst’s look at the volatile How the US financial situation and the photovoltaic industry: demand and prices rise of Chinese turbine manufacturers KEEPING HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS HEALTHY low, inventory high and anxiety growing. have changed the balance of the market. FEATURES TRENDS IN MEDIUM VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR PLUS COVERAGE OF: Q SOLAR THERMAL MARKETS Q POST-STIMULUS FINANCING Q HIDDEN BIOENERGY RESOURCES Q OFFSHORE WIND FOUNDATIONS Q ENHANCED GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SYSTEMS Q PV IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD

FACING THE SUN BRAZIL’S SUCCESS STORY How tracking technology New government policy driving boosts energy yields growth into the next decade

SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER 2011 VOLUME 14 NUMBER 5

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The trainer in safety | renewable world | Bringing wind power to some of Africa’s poorest

Europe may be debating what type of energy it wants in the next forty years, but in some parts of the world any kind of electricity is only for the rich minority. In one of Africa’s poorest countries, Mozambique, nine people in ten have no electricity, but a wind energy micro-grid is being developed that could Photo: Renewable World Photo: Renewable bring many communities online. By Sarah Azau

or the last few years EWEA has been support- regions across Africa by addressing the challeng- Fing the work of UK-based charity Renewable es of localised energy poverty and global climate World. Renewable World tackles poverty in change locally. developing countries, working with local partners to provide affordable renewable energy systems Why did you choose to work in Mozambique and (wind, solar, hydro and biogas) for remote off-grid particularly Pemba? communities. Access to energy stimulates trade Having grown up in west Africa, I’ve always been and enterprise, enables water pumping for domes- keen to see and experience life on the other side tic use and crop irrigation and improves health of the continent. In 2005, I visited east Africa The photo shows two locally- through the reduction of indoor air pollution, so for the fi rst time on the lookout for opportunities made PMG micro wind turbines their work makes a real difference to some of the and a potential base for a project. I took a year’s ready for mounting at the TCEI world’s poorest communities. career break and spent 12 months driving north workshop in Pemba. The larger As at its other events, EWEA has pledged to through Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya, work- machine is a 1,000 watt turbine donate one Euro per participant at OFFSHORE ing on various projects to develop a good knowl- with a blade diameter of 3.6 2011 to Renewable World. This money will go edge-base and fi eld experience fi rst hand. metres and is destined for towards the development of a wind-based micro- I wanted to establish TCEI in one of the poor- Mipandi grid blue-print in Mipandi village in northern est countries in South Eastern Africa I could Mozambique, two hours from the nearest tarmac fi nd and post-war Mozambique was an obvious road. The hope of Renewable World and their lo- choice with its long coastline, robust trade winds cal partners The Clean Energy Initiative (TCEI), is and development issues. The northern province that the project will be replicable in other commu- Cabo Delgado - of which Pemba is the capital city nities, regions and even developing countries. and where TCEI is located - is amongst the least Jason Morenikeji from TCEI explains a bit developed within the country. more. Why did you think bringing wind energy to Why did you decide to start up TCEI and what were Mozambique was important? you doing before? Mozambique’s population has a poor access After 14 years as a successful designer in the to electricity. With most of the population living “In Mozambique, UK, I enrolled on a post-graduate course at the in rural areas, the likelihood of them accessing Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Wales the limited central grid infrastructure is meagre. the expansion where I was able to explore the critical global I’ve seen statistics showing access to electric- of clean and issues relate to climate change and sustainability ity rate ranging from 5% to 14% for the country’s affecting our planet. 20 million inhabitants. In rural areas it’s as low sustainable While still studying at CAT, I met and trained as 1-2%. Although an expansion of the national energy offers with Hugh Piggott – the world’s leading pioneer in grid is underway by the national power utility, micro wind power – and begun to formulate ideas Electricidade de Mozambique (EdM), the cost to clear advantages for a social enterprise that could be based in electrify remote localities is prohibitively expen- in addressing poor regions within a developing country using an sive. Decentralised (self-energy) power generation inclusive design process, local networks, appropri- is a promising strategy, as it’s fl exible and offers climate change ate technology and renewable energy thinking. cost-effective solutions for rural areas. and energy In essence, I wanted to positively impact on the In Mozambique, the expansion of clean and lives of low-income communities in developing sustainable energy – such as micro wind power poverty.”

WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 43 | renewable world |

“Getting any – offers clear advantages in addressing climate What is your relationship like with the change and energy poverty. Mozambique has communities? idea adopted 2,800km of coast-line, many inland lakes and The success of our projects in the fi eld depends even when its highland which contribute to its localised wind on a positive relationship with the local communi- patterns. Mozambique’s latitude enables it to ties. To facilitate this process, TCEI collaborates advantages are experience localised sea breezes and seasonal with existing local NGOs who operate develop- clear has many trade winds which offer ideal wind patterns ment programmes within the communities where conducive to wind power. This makes the coun- we want to work. This saves us months – probably diffi culties and try’s untapped coastline and highlands a primary years – in building relationships, local engage- frustrations.” source for small-scale wind generation. ment and local capacity from scratch. High levels of community engagement and participation are What is the situation like in the communities important to foster a greater sense of community where you work? empowerment, and ultimately encourage a high Mozambique is one of the world’s poorest coun- degree of involvement in the installed system. tries. The vast majority of the rural population still In fact, by spending time at the front end of lives on less than US$1 a day, and lacks basic the project with the community – assessing local services such as clean water supplies, lighting needs or simply sitting-in on village meetings – of- and access to health facilities and schools. More fers me invaluable insights into the environmental than 80% of poor households live in rural areas. and socio-economic challenges faced by com- Farming is their main source of food and income, munities. It also helps to appreciate the sophis- but agricultural productivity is very low. Farmers ticated and deep-rooted social-cultural dynamics and fi shers generally make enough to meet that are essential to maintain. their households’ basic food requirements, with On a personal level, I’ve also been working in perhaps a little surplus for sale. Incomes from the region for years now, and so I often bump into both farming and fi shing are meagre and most of someone from another community during a fi eld the rural population survives at subsistence level. visit or sat round a table again with village elder. Rural communities are extremely vulnerable to That’s important, for people to realise that you’re climate risk because their economies are gener- fully involved and on-the-ground long-term. ally more dependent on climate-sensitive natural resources. In Mozambique rain-fed agriculture is What do you hope the projects you are working on the main livelihood for subsistence farmers, with will achieve? over 95% of the food crops being produced under In the industrial world the use of renewable rain-fed conditions. energy can sometimes be perceived as an ethical ‘lifestyle’ choice. However there is often little other choice in developing countries such as Mozambique due to the poor grid. Decentralised power generation to produce electricity for isolated rural villages, water pumping stations, health centres and remote hotels is often the only practical and economical means of energy provi- Photo: Renewable World Photo: Renewable sion due to geographic dispersion. I’m empowered by the potential of offering ac- cessible and productive renewable energy through the local- fabrication of micro wind turbines. My hopes are that - with time and scale - it will be possible to positively impact on the Millennium Development Goals. Although the MDGs don’t make any specifi c reference to the role of energy, access to energy services is a crucial element to improve the lives of impoverished people both As the Mipandi water-table recedes after the rainy season through socio-economic development and environ- (end of December-end of March) it becomes increas- mental sustainability. ingly diffi cult to manually draw suffi cient water for crop For example, addressing hunger with energy irrigation from the hand-dug well close to the crops. The for more food production within the food chain. Mipandi project will involve installing a new concrete lined Reducing poverty with energy to increase pro- well for the Mipandi Farmers’ Association duction, income and education, create jobs and

44 WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 | renewable world |

reduce the daily grind involved in having just to survive. Improving health and reducing death rates with energy for refrigeration of vaccines and other medicines needed for the prevention and treatment of diseases and infections in health centres/clinics and for vaccination campaigns. Photo: Renewable World Photo: Renewable Supplying safe water with energy for pumping. Energy to support gender equity in education so girls are not drawn from school to collect ever- scarce traditional fuels for family subsistence.

Can you recall a time which particularly stands out where you have seen the difference having access to energy has made? This reminds me of a symbolic scene on Ibo Island, an island north of Pemba. I had just installed a solar PV-powered security light which shone light onto a local street at night. It was just a strip light on a three-metre pole. At sun-set on the fi rst day, some kids came to play in its light. After a while, other people gathered to talk and Community Support Worker Gilherme, who works for TCEI’s programme partner share stories. With time, some street vendors Helvetas explains to the women from the Mipandi Farming Association who will came to sell snacks and soft drinks, someone benefi t from the project, how wind power works brought some seats…a whole vibrant street night-market emerged in three to four days. It was amazing, just from having one artifi cial light at and in the future. The TCEI has been conceived night. to be scaled-up and replicated as a market-based community electrifi cation model addressing What are the biggest challenges you face in your energy access in rural areas. I remain adamant work? that this can be achieved by using local supply Getting any idea adopted – either in the devel- networks, intelligent innovation and appropriate oped or under-developed world - even when its renewable energy technology. The end result is a advantages are clear has many diffi culties and profi table pro-poor proposition that offers access frustrations. Innovations – such as fabricating to clean and sustainable energy which support winds turbines locally to address the challenges the Millennium Development Goals and mitigate of energy poverty and climate change - require the effects of Climate Change. many years from the time they are introduced to For the communities, I’m hoping TCEI can help the time they are widely adopted. equip individuals with a sustainable and valuable To tackle this, it’s essential to identify the early infrastructure, localised capacity building and adopters within key decision-maker roles; within income generation skills which are becoming in- rural communities, key national policy and deci- creasingly necessary in developing countries such sion makers, local NGOs and private individuals. as Mozambique. For small-hold farmers, wind These key stakeholders can help overcome the powered micro enterprises and farming irrigation slow gestation period inherent in introducing new systems which increase productivity will offer a technologies…especially by providing leadership much needed alternative to this environmentally in decision-making, setting of targets, timetables harmful income stream. Such initiative will also and applying renewable energy services. reduce the depletion of the biomass sinks in Mozambique. The provision of accessible and af- What are your aspirations for the future of TCEI fordable electricity through micro wind generation and the communities where you work? not only offers local communities an alternative “A vibrant street I want to demonstrate that social entrepreneur- income source to environmentally damaging char- night-market ship and innovation can provide market-based in- coal production, but also improved social dimen- novative renewable energy products and services sions that would provide a better quality of life. emerged just that can be profi table and scaled-up to positively Read the Last Word from Neil Jeffery, Renewable World CEO on from having one impact on need-based socio-cultural and environ- p. 58. mental challenges affecting Mozambique today More information on Renewable World: www.renewable-world.org ■ artifi cial light.”

WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 45 Experience the power of the industry’s annual gathering

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Monday 16 - Thursday 19 April 2012 - Bella Center, Copenhagen, Denmark EWEA 2012 - Innovating today, shaping tomorrow Taking place in the birthplace of wind energy, Denmark, EWEA has 20 years of experience in organising “industry EWEA 2012 will focus on new developments and innovative for industry” events. By investing in them, you ensure that thinking in all aspects of wind energy. the right regulatory framework is in place to enable the wind industry to grow further. Don’t miss the industry’s annual gathering. Benefi t from the highest quality conference, international exhibition and incomparable networking opportunities.

SUPPORTED BY: ORGANISED BY: | technology corner |

Blade maintenance: keeping the elements at bay Battered by the elements for thousands of hours each year, turbine blades need careful servicing and maintenance to keep them in good condition. By Crispin Aubrey

Photo: LM Wind Power

hey’re rotating at speeds of up to 180 is cheaper and more fl exible than a crane. “With “Tmiles per hour. They’re working in really ropes you’re limited in the types of damage you diffi cult conditions – snow, strong winds, rain and can repair,” says Majdzik. “With the blade climber temperatures ranging from the very low to the you can do almost everything round the tower.” very high. You really need to look after them.” The platform is suspended from the turbine’s Marcin Majdzik, Service and Logistics nacelle by four wires, two main ones to raise and Operations Manager for LM Wind Power in lower it and two others as back-up. A pressure Northern Europe, is talking about the turbine frame held against the tower keeps it in position blades which he and his team are responsible for and the platform can move horizontally to meet maintaining and servicing. Around the world about the changing shape of the blade. Once one blade 400 people are employed by the Danish manufac- has been inspected, the platform is lowered and turer on this vital work. moves on to the next. If all goes according to The stresses of the elements can affect a plan, the team of three technicians who operate blade in a number of ways as it gets older. These the blade climber can take just 1½ hours to set it range from dirt and dust build-up on the surface up, and even less time to take it down again. to damaged paint to microscopic fi ssures that A typical day for the technicians can involve could eventually become signifi cant cracks. The everything from a close visual inspection, taking biggest problems result from wear and tear on the a relatively short time, to cleaning the blade, to leading edge of the blade as it cuts through the some kind of structural repair. Depending on its air, battered by everything from lightning to sea condition, a blade can be cleaned just by us- salt spray. These can have a major impact on the ing water or in some cases by sandpaper. If the performance of the turbine. surface paint is damaged, especially along the “It’s surprising what we can fi nd when we in- leading edge, it may be necessary to apply a fresh spect blades,” says Majdzik. “Even small insects coat. The company’s service instructions detail like mosquitoes, especially when you have thou- all potential types of damage and how each one “Even sands of them, can damage the top layer of paint, can be handled, with back-up support from the mosquitoes can potentially resulting in the start of erosion of the company’s R&D and engineering departments. leading edge.” The most technical work, requiring a proper damage the top Although initial inspections are often done understanding of how the blade was manufac- layer of paint using rope climbers securely suspended in har- tured in the fi rst place, involves repairing cracks nesses, LM Wind Power does most of its mainte- by applying a new layer of composite material. on a blade.” nance work using a “blade climber” platform. This Cracks can arise, for example, during transport to

48 WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 | technology corner | the site - as the blades are moved by carriers with to be able to climb the blade, but you also need different levels of experience and varying quality good weather conditions to carry out repairs,” of equipment. This is why LM Wind Power recom- says Majdzik. “When you’re using a chemical you mends inspecting the blades before the turbine need to have the right temperature and the right is erected. Other challenges include lightning humidity.” strikes, sometimes penetrating quite deep into Weather is the service teams’ greatest enemy. the laminated surface. A resin mix is applied by In Scotland recently, for example, LM Wind Power the technicians to the crack but will need to be technicians had to wait several days before a left for several hours to “cure” or set hard. “It’s single clear period opened up for them to move very rare that the failure of a blade is so serious in, carry out a repair and get the turbine operat- that it’s not reparable on the tower and we have ing smoothly again. Getting the work done quickly to take it down,” says Majdzik. and effectively and the turbine back in operation When the platform cannot be used, for in- is the main priority. The teams sometimes come stance because the turbine is not easily accessi- across repairs which another contractor has done ble with a large vehicle, the team of rope climbers badly, possibly in wet weather, and need to be is called in. These are people with the expert repaired again. skills and specialist training to enable them to Majdzik says that when his teams of techni- work comfortably suspended at heights of up to cians are ready to go, often travelling a long 100 metres above the ground, and at the same distance from their base, it’s vital that they take time carrying out crucial tasks of maintenance every piece of equipment they could possibly and repair. need. A full health and safety check has to be Marcin Majdzik, who has personal experi- undertaken before they can access the turbine. ence of this work, treats the rope teams with the Back-up teams are available in case someone utmost respect. “With the blade climber, anybody falls sick. who has done the training can work on it, pro- LM Wind Power offers a range of services both vided they’re not afraid of heights,” he says. “It’s within and outside the blades’ warranty period, very stable and comfortable to work from. When from basic yearly inspection and maintenance it comes to the ropes you need to have a passion up to 24/7 service, spare blade availability and for it. This is such a specifi c job that not everyone rotor rebalancing every fi ve years. These can be can do it.” customised to meet the turbine owner’s particular The training involves both practical experience requirements. When any repair is carried out, the and certifi cation exams. At least 1,000 hours company provides photographic evidence and of working up in the air is required to move from documentation to show that the work was com- one level to another. Rope climbers need to pleted correctly. reach Level 3 in order to work independently and How long will a blade last without major repair supervise a team. An indication of their passion work? “We have seen blades which are still in good and commitment is that many of them spend their condition after more than 15 years because the spare time climbing mountains. maintenance has been carried out on a regular ba- Whichever technique is used, work on the sis,” says Majdzik. “If there’s one piece of advice I blades is inevitably weather dependent. The would give to a turbine operator it’s to make sure rule of thumb is that work cannot take place at you inspect your blades every year and carry out winds above 12 metres per second or in rain, fog, any repair work as soon as you detect it.” snow or high humidity. “Of course it’s one thing For more information: www.lmwindpower.com ■

Technicians inspect the rotor blade from halfway down a rope. A good head for heights is necessary! Photo: LM Wind Power

WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 49 Vaisala – Your Weather Partner

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The UK is the most advanced offshore wind market, with 1.5GW capacity installed and close to 40GW in the pipeline.

At Global Offshore Wind 2012 make important connections, learn from the UK’s experience and UK Knowledge. Global Solutions extend your business into new offshore wind markets.

You will benefit from the wide geographical focus, innovative programme, and marked increase in international session content and participants.

Exhibition sales are open. Book online.

Sponsored by Presented by In association with www.GlobalOffshoreWind.com www.RenewableUK.com | EWEA’s new campaign |

125 people attended EWEA’s public debate on infrastructure that kicked EWEA’s new campaign off the campaign calls for “freedom for electricity”

By Sarah Azau Photo: EWEA

WEA’s 2010 campaign was all about could then be traded between countries, Ebringing a breath of fresh air to bringing prices down. Europe. In 2011 and 2012, a new cam- But to have the single market we paign will be focusing on new EU electric- need the power grid to join up all the ity grid fi nancing and permitting legisla- countries, which it doesn’t currently do tion which was published on 19 October. well enough. Once we have a European Photo: EWEA/Bickley While this is not the most glamorous power grid, we will be able to transport topic, it is nonetheless crucial for the wind power from where it is produced – future of wind energy that Europe’s power for example, in the seas off north-west grid is developed quickly and suffi ciently, Europe – to where it is to be consumed. and the legislation – the “infrastructure This will of course benefi t Europe by package” as it’s known – will be key. bringing bigger amounts of clean, “home- So what is EWEA calling for in this grown” wind power at predictable prices campaign, and what’s in store over the onto the grid. next few months? Sarah Azau spoke to Florian Becker, EWEA’s Campaigns Offi cer What actions are you organising as part during Elke Zander’s maternity leave, to of the campaign? fi nd out more. One of our main actions is a joint statement (see next page) with the Why is the new campaign about the sin- associations representing the manu- gle market and power grid? facturers of insulated wire and cable The European Commission’s infra- (Europacable) and the electricity industry structure package will be debated by (EURELECTRIC). Fifteen business and European Council and Parliament over non-profi t organisations have supported EWEA’s Florian Becker explains that a the next few months. The fi nal legisla- the statement. We published the state- European power grid will be able to transport tion will play a major role in determining ment in an advertisement in the well more wind energy to the consumers the development of Europe’s power grid. known EU affairs newspaper European With this campaign we want to try and Voice and on EU news website Euractiv. infl uence the debate by drawing the in- In it, we call for the EU institutions to fa- stitutions’ attention to the importance of cilitate the single internal power market “freeing our electricity” - creating a single and Europe-wide network infrastructure market for all Europe’s electricity which by streamlining permitting and planning

WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 51 | EWEA’s new campaign |

procedures for electricity infrastructure Campaign statement projects, agreeing new ways of fi nancing those projects and tackling any envi- ronmental or social issues that might rise early on (see full statement text, on right). We kicked off the campaign with a public debate in Brussels on the single Free movement of electricity market issue entitled “Energy infrastruc- ture - the next great European project?” Twenty five years after the Single European Act, Europe urgently needs greater The debate was attended by 125 people. freedom of movement in electricity: a single internal power market and a The big news of the night came network infrastructure to facilitate it. A single electricity market will increase from the speaker from the European competition, improve security of supply, help deliver climate goals and integrate Commission. Michael Köhler, Head of modern energy technologies including renewables. Cabinet of Commissioner Oettinger an- nounced that in the fi rst half of 2012 Whilst development of a single power market is progressing, development of the the Commission will release two com- infrastructure urgently needs a very major boost. munications affecting the whole elec- tricity sector. The fi rst will be about the To bring freedom of movement to and enhance cross-border trade in Europe’s implementation of the Renewable Energy electricity, the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers must: Directive. The second will be about mar- ket integration.
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operator Red Eléctrica, and José Braz, the necessary grid extensions at an early stage. Executive Board Member, from Portugal’s Energy Services Regulatory Authority, agreed with Köhler that a fully functioning grid is vital for Europe.

What else is planned? During OFFSHORE 2011 in Amsterdam, we are encouraging more companies and associations to support the state- ment – they can come along and fi nd out more at the EWEA stand 9130 in Hall 9. There will also be other things planned at later stages in the year. Keep an eye on the campaign website, www.freedomforelectricity.eu. We are very likely to be republishing the statement with even more signa- tories when the European Parliament opens its debate on the legislation and we will also be conducting a survey of companies, associations and other organisations on the importance they attach to completing the single market in More information: www.freedomforelectricity.eu electricity and the creating of a European electricity grid.

52 WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 | EWEA news | Register for EWEA 2012: catch

an early bird rate Photo: EWEA

Online registration is now open for EWEA 2012 tracks: EWEA’s 2012 annual event, and you 1. Policies, markets & programmes, can sign up at a specially reduced early chaired by Jan Hylleberg, DWIA bird rate until the end of December: 2. Financing, chaired by Michael Liebreich, www.ewea.org/annual2012. Bloomberg New Energy Finance There will be countless The EWEA 2012 annual event – taking 3. Hardware technology, chaired by opportunities to network place in Copenhagen’s Bella Centre from Henning Kruse, TP Wind and do business at 16 to 19 April - will focus on innovation 4. Resource assessment, chaired by Jos EWEA 2013 in the wind energy industry. EWEA 2012 Beurskens, ECN Wind Energy will be a four-day programme of high 5. Grids & infrastructure, chaired by You can also seize a sponsorship quality discussions and learning oppor- Frans van Hulle, EWEA opportunity and so display your brand tunities, as well as a chance to meet, do 6. Science & research, chaired by Peter at high profi le social events, modern business and network. Tavner, EAWE exhibition grounds, onsite receptions and The call for abstracts is now closed. By the end of January 2012 the pro- breaks as well as on numerous event Abstracts were accepted under fi ve or gramme will be online, and the authors materials. As usual, there will be lots of the six tracks, chaired by some of the of the selected abstracts contacted. opportunities to network and do busi- industry’s top experts. The sixth track On the event website you can also ness, as well as learning about the latest - fi nancing – is being developed sepa- book a space in the exhibition and see news and research from the sector. rately, and is not included in the call for who else is exhibiting. The 12,000m2 of More on EWEA 2012, exhibiting and sponsorship: abstracts. fl oor space is already 80% sold. www.ewea.org/annual2012

EWEA and OFFSHORE exhibition Do you have sales open for 2013 something you’d

OFFSHORE 2013 will take like to say on place in European fi nancing hub, Frankfurt our blog?

Packed with engaging wind energy views and updates, the EWEA blog (www.ewea.org/blog) attracts thou- sands of readers each month. From Sean Klimczak, Managing Director at Blackstone to EWEA members such as Vera Costa at Enercon, we have regular blogs by guest authors writing their opinion on a wind energy-related topic. Would you like to share your view or provide expert insight on our blog to a wide audience? Photo: iStockphoto Your post should be short and Exhibition sales for EWEA OFFSHORE the event, exhibition and sponsorship op- eye-catching preferably with a pho- 2013 are being offi cially opened at portunities on www.ewea.org/events. tograph of you. The post would also EWEA’s preceding offshore event – Exhibition sales for EWEA’s 2013 be diffused on social media, further OFFSHORE 2011 in Amsterdam. annual event are also open. The event increasing readership. Please contact With fi nancing questions becoming will happen in Vienna, Austria from 4-7 Blog Editor [email protected] for ever more pressing for the offshore wind February 2013. Almost half of the avail- more information or to submit your energy sector, the 2013 offshore event able 14,000m2 of exhibition space has idea. In the meantime, read more on will run from 19-21 November 2013 already been sold. EWEA’s blog on p. 10. in Europe’s fi nancing hub, Frankfurt in More on EWEA 2013: www.ewea.org/annual2013 Germany. You can fi nd out more about More on EWEA membership: www.ewea.org/membership

WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 53 EWEA welcomes new members

Akvilon Energo Ltd (Ukraine) Delta Energy Systems GmbH (Germany) Navigant Consulting, Inc. (USA) Akvilon Energo Ltd. is the subsidiary of a large www.deltaenergysystems.com Navigant (NYSE: NCI) is a specialized, international Ukrainian construction company – TKS Holding which consulting fi rm headquartered in Chicago with more was founded in 1998. Today TKS Holding works in Eaton (Switzerland) than 40 offi ces around the world. Navigant’s Energy three main business areas: concrete production, Eaton is a diversifi ed power management company with Practice includes more than 270 experts focused on development and construction. Akvilon Energo Ltd. 2010 sales of $13.7 billion. Celebrating our 100th issues across the entire energy value chain including is established for the development, construction anniversary in 2011, Eaton is a global technology leader renewables, climate change, energy effi ciency, demand and operation of wind farms in Western Ukraine. At who helps customers manage power more effectively, response, emerging technologies, generation, resource the present stage of its development, the company effi ciently, and safely. Eaton technology delivers the procurement, transmission, markets, performance is constructing 3 wind farms with a 200 MW total “power inside” hundreds of products and places. Eaton improvement, fuel sourcing, rates and regulation. installed capacity. In the future, the company plans has ~73,000 employees and sells products in more www.navigant.com expansion into the Ukrainian market. than 150 countries. And everywhere we do business, www.akvilon.tks.ua we’re committed to “doing business right.” Norfolk County Council (UK) www.eaton.com Norfolk has been at the forefront of offshore energy Bureau Waardenburg bv (The Netherlands) in England for 45 years. The area is home to 400 Bureau Waardenburg provides ecological research Energy Supply Chain (Spain) marine and engineering companies many of whom and consultancy, and is specialized in Environmental www.eschain.com are supporting Scroby Sands, Lincs and Sherringham Impact Assessments and Monitoring & Evaluation Shoal offshore wind farms. EastPort UK is located in programmes, both onshore and offshore. We also offer Epsiline (France) Great Yarmouth and is the closest deep-water port to consultancy work on (inter)national nature legislation EPSILINE develops wind measurement systems based the Round 3 East Anglia Array and many other offshore topics. Bureau Waardenburg has a team of (offshore- on lasers, and serves the wind energy and meteorology wind farms. Norfolk is an ideal location for investment certifi ed) ecologists and fully qualifi ed professional industries. Our company is located in Toulouse, France. and has been awarded Enterprise Zone status in Great divers for fi eld studies on birds, mammals, fi sh, benthic Our optical anemometer detects the Doppler shift signal Yarmouth. fauna and marine mammals. induced by wind fl ow to access an accurate wind speed www.norfolk.gov.uk www.buwa.nl measurement, and is designed to show signifi cant improvements in comparison with current anemometers. Ravioli S.p.a (Italy) CJR Wind (Portugal) www.epsiline.com Ravioli has been projecting and realizing electrical www.cjrwind.com devices for several application fi elds since 1926. HBM (Germany) For wind power we manufacture our limit switches Damen Shipyards (The Netherlands) HBM (Hottinger Baldwin Messtechnik GmbH), founded specifi cally dedicated to the yaw and the pitch control. The Damen Shipyards Group is a multinational in 1950,is a global player with a wide range of products Our strategy is based on realizing products that satisfy shipbuilding group with more than 6000 employees dedicated to wind energy. Located in Darmstadt (Germany), the needs of the market, not only due to a high quality and a turnover of €1,5 billion. Damen has acquired a HBM offers DAQ systems, transducers for torque, force, level, but also due to an accurate pre and post-sale leading position in shipbuilding, due to standardised displacement, strain meters, foil type & innovative optical service. ship-design concept and short delivery times. Damen’s strain gauges. HBM provides professional solutions during We want to provide our customers with a global vessels aim to enable both energy companies and R&D and test phases, but also for structural tests of existing service: from the initial identifi cation of the product offshore contractors to realize their ambitious targets wind turbines. This makes HBM the ideal partner whether to the different realization procedures, from the study for Offshore Wind Farm development, installation, and working onshore or offshore. about custom-made projects to a post-sale service. maintenance. www.hbm.com www.raviolispa.comwww.raviolispa.com wwwwww.damen.nlww.damen.nl Industrie Cometto S.p.A. (Italy)(Italy) RoSch Industrieservice GmbH (Germany) DeeDeepwaterpwater EU LtLtdd ((UK)UK) Since 1954,1954, COMETTO has been leadingleading the world RoSch Industrieservice GmbH,GmbH, withwith headquarters in DeeDeepwaterpwater CoCorrosionrrosion SServiceservices iiss a glglobalobal lleadereader in of heavyheavyy dutyduty transporttranspop rt industry,industry, mamanufacturingnufacturing LingenLingeng (Ems),(Ems), isis youryour competentcompetent windwind energyenerggyyp partner.partner. offshooffshorere corrosion control and cathodic protection semitrailers,semitrailers, modularmodular trailers,traili ers, sself-propelledelf-propelled mmodularodud lar WeW offeroffere repair,repepair, serviceserve ice andand maintenancemaintenance service,service, technotechnology.logy. For over 25 years Deepwater hhasas designed systems and transporters.transporters. as wellwell asas electronicelectronic installationinstallation andand mechanicalmechanical and mamanufacturednufactured ssystemsystems to prprotectotectc all tytypespes of Fields of application: heavy haulage, heavy lifting,lifting, assembling. We provide experience and a specializedspecialized offshore assets in any environment. Our experexpertisetisise construction,construction, precastprecast anandd ssteelteel bbeamseams mmanufacturers,anunufacturu ersrs, expertiseexpertr isee inn onshoreonshore andnd offshoreoffshshoreor works.works. QualityQualityitt is ourour has hehelpedlped rrenewableenewable assassetet ownownersers tatackleckle tthehe wind power, petrochemical, shipbuilding and steelworks.steeelworks. passion.passioon.n WindpowerWindpower is ourour path. You are rightrightt withwwith us! chachallengesllenges of ttheheh offoffshoreshore envenvironmentironmem nt sinsincei ce 2002004,4,4 www.cometto.comwww.cocometttto.com www.rosch-industrieservice.dewww.rooschs -inindustrieseervirv ce.e..de and ouourr ccompanyompanynyny is poised to ggrowrowoww alaalongsideongside tthishis nenewew burbburgeoninggeonini g ooffshoreffffshorhhoo e eenergynerggy secsector.ttor. www.stoprustwww.stoprust.com.com

54 WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 Events

SeaCom Digitale Mess- und Übertragungssysteme Structural Vibration Solutions A/S (Denmark) GmbH (Germany) Structural Vibration Solutions A/S is a world- SeaCom Digitale Mess- und Übertragungssysteme renowned supplier and developer of software for GmbH, a division of the globally operating VULKAN Operational Modal Analysis called ARTeMIS. group, develops and produces certifi ed measuring and The ARTeMIS software is used by mechanical online-monitoring systems. Our modular, scalable engineers for modal analysis of operating machinery EWEA 2012 Annual Event and confi gurable systems support detailed and and components and by civil engineers for ambient 16-19 April 2012 comprehensive diagnostics of machines and processes modal analysis of large structures like bridges and Copenhagen, Denmark for applications in the industrial sector as well as in the buildings. www.ewea.org/annual2012 wind power, mining and oil & gas industries. The ARTeMIS name stands for Ambient Response E-mail: [email protected] www.vulkan.com Testing and Modal Identifi cation Software. It covers Tel : +32 2 213 1860 all the tools that an engineer needs to perform a high Smith & Felton (UK) quality modal analysis without knowing the forces Smith&Felton provides advisory services on Project acting on the structure and while the structure is in Financing, Corporate Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, operation. This technology is in general known as access to EU funds, Business Development and OMA. Restructuring. Download a Free Trial Version at www.svibs.com. EWEA 2013 Annual Event Smith&Felton was founded in 2010 by a group of high 4-7 February 2013 skilled professionals and private investors interested Typhoon Capital (The Netherlands) Vienna, Austria in South-Eastern Europe business opportunities. We Typhoon Capital is specialized in the realisation of www.ewea.org/events are based in London with offi ces in Bucharest and offshore wind, and intends to bring 4 GW of North E-mail: [email protected] Brussels. Sea wind projects from permitting to fi nancial close Tel: +32 2 213 18 60 The unique combination of our team adds value by by applying its contracting, structuring and fi nancing introducing varied approaches and perspectives to expertise, thereby creating a compelling investment increase profi ts and mitigate risks. Our specialists can case for risk-averse infrastructure investors. The cover a broad range of sectors and functions, ranging Typhoon Capital team’s track record includes Prinses from funds absorption, to competitive strategy or risk Amalia (120 MW in The Netherlands) and Belwind management. (165 MW project off the coast of Belgium) projects. www.smithfelton.co.uk www.typhooncapital.eu EWEA OFFSHORE 2013 19 – 21 November 2013 Strategic Process Limited (UK) Ubifrance (France) Frankfurt, Germany Strategic Process is a UK based consultancy with a www.ubifrance.fr www.ewea.org/events track record of over 10 years in the provision of support E-mail:[email protected] to the European energy industry, with particular Tel: +32 2 213 1860 emphasis on Offshore Wind Development. The organisation provides expertise in strategic planning at a corporate and project level, contract negotiations, due diligence, project execution, investment appraisal, advising lenders, development and delivery of bespobespokeke training programmesprogrammes aandnd the provision of staffi nggn ssolutionsolutions onon anan interiminterim oorr perpermanentmanentt basis wwwwww.strategic-process.com.strattegie c-pcprocess.com

Photo: fotolia.com

WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 55

Cold climate wind energy solutions RESEARCH AND PRACTICE UNDER ONE ROOF

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PQQPSUVOJUZ | the last word | What ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ means for the renewables industry

he renewable energy industry is developing, based solutions which support the development Tgrowing and maturing fast: it is no longer the of affordable clean energy services in extremely industry of a few enthusiastic pioneers, but instead isolated communities across the globe. is due to provide 20% of all EU energy by 2020. Now is the right time for the industry to continue Success brings with it challenges related to the sec- to show increased leadership and action on energy tor’s increased role in energy provision and security, access. Recent developments have seen the issue as well as its associated size, geographical footprint move steadily up the political agenda, demonstrated and profile. by the high level ministerial meeting in Oslo in As a result stakeholders will hold the industry October and the designation by the UN General to account in increasingly stringent ways. Individual Assembly of 2012 as the “International Year for firms will experience this effect in their day to day Sustainable Energy for All”. business operations: consumers are more anxious Renewable World’s crucial contribution with our about costs; regulators place greater emphasis on partner companies - the provision of affordable By Neil Jeffery health and safety in complex environments; the me- distributed energy - can have a transformative effect CEO of Renewable World dia scrutinises industry practices regarding sustain- on poverty alleviation strategies enabling them to ability; policy-makers question the contribution of achieve greater impact; clean, affordable, reliable the industry to achieving energy access for the poor; energy can kick-start income generation and enter- economists assess the influence of the industry in prise development in areas previously characterised emerging markets; and staff seek more rewarding by market failure, producing long term sustainable and fulfilling opportunities. benefits. While this may seem daunting, all mature busi- One such example is our programme with ALIN nesses face these types of challenges and many (Arid Lands Information Network) in Kagera District, have developed a professional approach to man- northern Tanzania. ALIN is a Kenyan organisation age the social dimensions of running a successful working across East Africa to help bridging the business. ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ (CSR) ‘digital divide’. It creates information exchange net- and ‘corporate citizenship’ may be jargon, but works at ‘Maarifa Centres’ to enable poor farmers their reality is straightforward: minimising negative to maximise the price received for crops. They also impacts of doing business and maximising value help rural students to access better education facili- to build a stronger business, develop people and ties and equip unemployed youth with modern skills strengthen corporate reputation. CSR strategies are for employment. increasingly being used by companies to mitigate Renewable World is working alongside ALIN, who risk and enhance business opportunities in mature were recently recognised by the Bill and Melinda and emerging markets. In 2010 79% of the world’s Gates Foundation for their ground breaking work, to largest companies made their CSR reports public, a promote the appropriate use of renewable energy 30% increase on 2005. across their network of centres. Critically clean, af- Renewable World is at the forefront of helping fordable and reliable distributed energy allows ALIN the renewable energy industry to consider and artic- to establish centres in extremely remote locations, ulate its response to some of these social issues. bringing their award winning poverty alleviation, The organisation has been most active in delivering digital information access and peer-to-peer learning results and creating positive change to promote techniques to isolated, off-grid communities. energy access for poor consumers in emerging Working at the interface of renewable energy and markets. We have worked successfully with over international development Renewable World is well 20 leading members of the industry to channel placed to help the industry enhance the provision of resources, skills and expertise to promote market clean, affordable energy to some of the world’s poor- est people. 2012 provides a unique opportunity for the industry to increase its contribution to an issue Renewable World is a registered charity working with local partners that is rising up the political agenda, and has great in Africa, Asia and Central America to tackle poverty through enabling relevance for the European public and emerging the provision of small-scale renewable energy systems for remote, off- market consumers alike. grid communities. More information: www.renewable-world.org. Read more on the Renewable World project EWEA’s donation from OFFSHORE 2011 is going to on p. 43. n

58 WIND DIRECTIONS | December 2011 EWEA Events: The Winning Formula

19 – 21 NOVEMBER

Book your stand today for the upcoming EWEA events. Visit EWEA stand: No 9130, Hall 9

EWEA Events: organised for the industry by the industry.

The exciting growth of the wind industry has industry’s needs and contribute to its further been accompanied by an increasing number development. of related events. Whenever you consider education, networking or company visibility, be Benefi t from the highest standard confer- sure to make the right choices. ences, international exhibitions and incompa- rable networking opportunities, all under one EWEA has 20 years of experience in organis- roof while supporting the association’s work. ing events that are customised to meet the 24 m/s

20 m/s

16 m/s

12 m/s

8 m/s

AOM 5000 4 m/s

Move wind from 0 hour to power m/s

For predictable turbine performance

AOM 5000 is a premium service concept designed to provide ultimate operational and financial peace of mind. Instead of guaranteeing uptime, with AOM 5000 we go one step further with energy-based availability on your plant. Predictive perfor- mance models ensure service and maintenance are carried out only during periods of low wind, guaranteeing maximum possible output and minimum risk. Your Power, Our Commitment. With our Active Output Management® (AOM) programme, we believe that close collaboration is the best way to create lasting output results on your plant. To discover the advantages of AOM, go to vestas.com/aom