2030 Targets: Bringing Certainty

THE EUROPEAN WIND INDUSTRY MAGAZINE
November 2013 Volume 32/No 4
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
COMMENT
2030 targets
XABIER ETXEBERRIA Business CEO, Gamesa
HENRIK POULSEN CEO, DONG Energy
MICHAEL HANNIBAL CEO Offshore, Siemens Wind Power
Bringing certainty
The Siemens D6 platform
Turbina Sapiens in its natural habitat.

Siemens offshore direct drive wind turbine with 6.0-MW rated power is a new breed of wind turbine. It is the latest evolution in the Siemens D6 platform and features the worlds first 154-meter rotor. The brains are housed in the advanced diagnostics system that provides comprehensive real-time performance data and service requirements. It also keeps track of its lifetime and overall asset condition. It has 50% fewer moving parts than a comparable geared machine and a towerhead mass of less than 360 tons. The 6.0-MW drives project profitability through optimized infrastructure, installation and service. Such a creature of lean and simple beauty could only be borne of Siemens. Drawing on over 30 years of experience in wind power and a global network of highly skilled employees, Siemens has proven itself to be a trustworthy and reliable business partner. As the world looks for energy solutions, if anyone has the answers, then Siemens does.
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| contents |
November 2013 Volume 32/No4
letter from the editor Looking ahead wind news keeping up with EWEAs blog feature Financing offshore wind - the real risks interview Henrik Poulsen, CEO, DONG Energy brussels brieng feature Better health and more income, thanks to a wind-powered fridge interview Xabier Etxeberria, Business CEO, Gamesa focus 2030 targets - bringing certainty country focus A closer look at Spain opinion - Junior Isles In deep water, not hot water opinion - Adam Barber Time to refocus and shift gears technology corner Better wind resource mapping with one click wind worker Tobias Kunze, Wind Farm Cabling Manager, EnBW Lisa Malmquist Ekstrand, Policy Specialist, Vestas feature Thirty-five years of Wind Directions EWEA news new members
Wind Directions is published four times a year. The contents do not necessarily reflect the views and policy of EWEA. Publisher: Thomas Becker Editor: Sarah Azau Writers: Sarah Azau, Chris Rose, Philippa Jones, Junior Isles, Adam Barber Design & production: www.inextremis.be Cover photo: Richard Ransier/Corbis Additional design and photographic input: Clara Ros, Jess Quesada
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the last word Michael Hannibal, CEO Offshore, Siemens Wind Power
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| letter from the editor |
By Sarah Azau
Editor
Looking ahead
n this final issue of the magazine Wind Directions we are looking forward. Forward to 1 January 2021, when post-2020 EU energy legislation will come into force. At the moment the details of this legislation have yet to be proposed, but EWEA is convinced that an ambitious 2030 binding renewable energy target is essential to give investor confidence and continue driving the sector. This needs to be agreed rapidly in order to allow investors the visibility they need to make long-term investments in the energy sector. We will continue advocating for this legislation as the European Commission prepares a proposal to be published by the end of this year and discussed by Heads of State in March 2014. I look at the details of whats needed on p. 24. We are also looking forward to EWEAs upcoming annual event next March in Barcelona. Chris Rose in the country focus (p. 30) focuses on the Spanish market and the bumpy ride its undergoing. We interview Spanish manufacturer and developer Gamesas business CEO Xabier Etxeberria to find out more on p. 21. We are also looking around. Wind Directions final issue is being distributed at EWEAs OFFSHORE 2013 event from 19 to 21 November in Frankfurt. This promises to be buzzing with technical experts, industry representatives and political leaders. On the second day of the event EWEA will launch its offshore financing report which contains survey results revealing that financiers consider regulatory change to be the biggest obstacle for the offshore wind industry. Read
more about it on p. 12, followed by a Q&A with DONG CEO and EWEA OFFSHORE 2013 conference chair Henrik Poulsen on p.13. Looking even further afield, EWEAs chosen charity is Renewable World, which provides green electricity to remote communities in some of the poorest parts of the world. On p. 16, Rory OKeeffe explains how Renewable World has supported Kenyan fisherman, bringing them windsolar powered fridges which have allowed them to keep their fish fresh in hot weather so they can still make a living. Coming back closer to home, on p. 40 Pippa Jones in the Technology Corner explores an EU-funded project which aims to design software models that will improve the tuning and modelling of wind farms. Finally, they say all good things come to an end but some are replaced by something even better! This is the last ever paper issue of Wind Directions, and we take a brief trawl through the archives on p. 45. But while the magazine as we know it will no longer exist as a hard copy, plans are afoot to make an interactive electronic newsletter which will go out even more frequently, containing the latest news, interviews and analyses, and exclusive EWEA members-only content. If you have any thoughts do let me know at sarah.azau@ewea.org. In the meantime, for those at EWEA OFFSHORE 2013, have a great event! And for those unable to attend, do follow whats happening on www.ewea.org/offshore2013 n
Photo: EWEA/Bickley
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| wind news |
BRAZIL
Acciona set to manufacture wind turbines in South American nation

Towards the end of 2014, Acciona is planning on putting a 3 MW wind turbine nacelle assembly plant into service in the state of Bahia. ACCIONA said in September that it would meet the local content rules established by Brazil to finance the acquisition of wind turbines by wind energy developers.
More information: www.acciona.com
Energia AS and Nelja Energia AS, the owners of the wind farm, as well as President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves.
More information: www.genewscenter.com
GERMANY
Iberdrola and Port of Sassnitz sign offshore terminal lease

Berlin-based subsidiary Iberdrola Renovables Offshore Deutschland and Fhrhafen Sassnitz GmbH announced in July a lease agreement for the Ports Offshore Terminal South, which will be used for storage and pre-assembly activities of the Wikinger wind farm project installation. Offshore Terminal South at the Port of Sassnitz was selected as the optimum place for warehousing, assembly, storing, and transportation of components and wind turbines to the site.
More information: www.iberdrola.es
Siemens has installed first offshore platform in the North Sea

The HelWin1 offshore platform in the North Sea has been installed, marking the successful completion of a significant stage in German grid connection projects, Siemens announced in late August. When the HelWin1 converter platform goes online, it will link the Nordsee Ost and Meerwind wind power plants to the mainland, the company said.
More information: www.siemens.com
CHILE
Enel breaks ground at its biggest wind farm in South American country
Construction work has started at Enel Green Powers wind farm in Taltal, the company announced in August. The plant is named after the district where the project is located, in the region of Antofagasta, 1,550 km north of Santiago. The plant will comprise 33 wind turbines of 3 MW each.
More information: www.enelgreenpower.com
DENMARK
Largest offshore wind farm in Denmark is officially inaugurated

With its 400 MW in total, the Anholt Offshore Wind Farm generates electricity corresponding to the annual consumption of approximately 400,000 households. At the inauguration ceremony in September, Her Majesty the Queen of Denmark officially put the wind turbines of Anholt Offshore Wind Farm into operation.
More information: www.dongenergy.com
Siemens' new platform will help offshore wind turbine installation in Germany
GERMANY
E.ON starts work on Helgoland base for its Amrumbank West wind farm
Construction of E.ONs operations and maintenance building on the North Sea island of Helgoland was announced in August. E.ON will use Helgoland as an offshore operations base for its Amrumbank West offshore wind farm and the new 1,800 square metre building will provide space for offices, changing rooms and storage.
More information: www.eon.com
GERMANY
Anchors away for EnBW Baltic 2 offshore wind farm

The construction of the second offshore wind farm of EnBW Energie BadenWrttemberg AG entered its late stage in August with the Goliath installation platform leaving Rostock port for the EnBWs Baltic 2 construction area, which is located 32 kilometres north of the Baltic Sea island of Rgen. The company said installation has started on the foundations for a total of 80 wind power plants.
More information: www.enbw.com
ESTONIA
Paldiski onshore wind farm officially opened on the Pakri peninsula

GE said in August that the Paldiski wind farm in the northwestern part of the nation consists of 18 2.5-100 wind turbines and marks the commercial debut of the companys wind turbine technology in Estonia. GE representatives were joined at the ceremony by officials from Eesti
Photo: Siemens
| wind news |
IRELAND
IKEA to purchase Irish wind farm from Mainstream

Mainstream Renewable Power said in August it had closed a deal to sell its 7.65 MW Carrickeeny wind farm to IKEA, the worlds largest furniture retailer. Mainstream has commenced construction of the project which is located in Leitrim in the north-west of Ireland and it is expected to be operational in early 2014. The acquisition will increase the total number of wind turbines that the IKEA Group has committed to owning and operating to 137.
More information: www.mainstreamrp.com
notice to commence had been issued. Fauji Foundation and the infrastructure fund Cap Asia (Malaysia) are the major shareholders again. The company said 20 N100/2500 turbines are to be installed in the province of Sindh in 2014.
More information: www.nordex-online.com/en
former Bransford Bridge site near Rugby.

More information: www.res-group.com
Minister welcomes Keadby community fund boost

SSE, the developer of Keadby wind farm in North Lincolnshire, has more than tripled the funds available for community projects in the local area, a move that has been welcomed by UK Energy Minister, Michael Fallon. The overall fund will now be worth 8.6 million (10.1 mn) to local communities over the next 25 years, rising from 2.5 million (2.9 mn). The 34 turbine wind farm is due for completion in the first half of next year.
More information: www.sse.com
SPAIN
First offshore wind turbine installed in Spain commissioned by Gamesa

Gamesa announced that its G128-5.0 MW offshore prototype had been installed in Arinaga in the Canary Islands and will generate enough energy to power 7,500 households every year. The turbine has a rotor diameter of 128 metres and a total height of 154 metres, a company press release said.
More information: www.gamesacorp.com
ITALY
ERG integrates business with wind farm operation and maintenance activities
Through its subsidiary ERG Renew, ERG has reached an agreement with Maluni to acquire a 100% stake in a company specifically created to perform activities pertaining to the operation and maintenance of ERG Winds Italian wind farms. As a result, the company said in late July, another 136 people will join the ERG Group, in addition to 42 staff members recently acquired via the investment in ERG Wind (formerly IP Maestrale).
More information: www.erg.it
USA
EDPR secures PPA for new 100 MW wind farm in the US to be installed in 2015
EDP Renovveis, SA (EDPR), through its fully owned subsidiary EDP Renewables North America LLC, signed a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Lincoln Electric System to sell the renewable energy produced from its 100 MW Arbuckle Mountain wind farm project located in Oklahoma, expected to be installed in 2015.
More information: www.edpr.com n
UK
RES acquires two wind farm sites from SSE

According to a press release, RES said the transfer of options on Browns Holt wind farm near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, and Woolfox wind farm in Rutland follows on from the companys acquisition earlier this year of SSEs
NETHERLANDS
The Zuidlob wind farm in the central part of the Netherlands was officially opened 11 September, Vattenfall said in a press release. With its 36 turbines and a total of 122 MW of installed capacity, it will be Vattenfall's largest onshore wind farm. With its official opening, the wind farm will change its name to Princess Alexia Wind Farm.
More information: www.vattenfall.com
PAKISTAN
Nordexs business in Pakistan is continuing to gain momentum

In late August, Nordex announced that FWEL I, the second 50 MW contract of five from its conditional order backlog, had obtained financial close and
Photo: Nordex
Vattenfall opens largest onshore wind farm
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| best of blog |
Keeping up with the blog

Do you follow the EWEA blog on www.ewea.org/blog? Updated regularly, the blog covers news and opinion on a variety of topics linked to wind energy. Below, Sarah Azau selects her top stories from the past few months.
Photo: EWEA/Bickley
Jobs in UK wind energy climb by 70% in three years

he number of people working in the UK wind industry has risen to 9,900 up from 6,600 by 2010 a climb of 70% new research shows. When indirect employment is included, the report shows a total of 34,300 people rely on industries that barely existed a decade ago, a figure that researchers say could jump to 70,000 over the next decade, said the Financial Times, reporting on the independent study, Working for a Green Britain and Northern Ireland. It also reveals the areas of the country where the most wind energy jobs are to be found are
By Sarah Azau
often those with high unemployment rates. Wind energy in Europe provides 250,000 jobs, contributes over 32 billion to the EUs economy a year, and avoids nearly 6 billion in fossil fuel imports. The study was commissioned by RenewableUK and the Energy & Utility Skills body.
Published 19 September
Sarah Azau picks her favourite recent blog posts
Sarah says: The green economy in Europe is already huge and still has massive potential. But stable policy is needed both nationally and at EU level to ensure this potential is met.
IPCC: fossil fuels must remain in ground to avoid climate catastrophe

ignificant, concerted action is now required to stop the continued growth of toxic greenhouse gases caused by burning fossil fuels, says the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on global warming. Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases have increased to levels unprecedented in at least the last 800,000 years, the IPCC found. CO2 concentrations have increased by 40% since pre-industrial times, primarily from fossil fuel emissions, the report, released in Stockholm, said, adding it is extremely likely, with at least 95% certainty, that human influence has been the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century. Continued emissions of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and changes in all components of the climate system, the report stated. Limiting climate change will require substantial and sustained reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to warmer atmospheric and ocean conditions, the report warned of sea level rise, melting glaciers, changes in the global water cycle, reduced volumes of snow, increased droughts, and more extreme weather events.
By Chris Rose
Fossil fuels produce the greenhouse gases that are poisoning our planet
The report also says that, without significant efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, global temperatures are likely to rise more than 2C by the end of the 21st century, which the international community has pledged should not happen because of potentially horrific consequences. In reacting to the report, European Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard noted the health of planet Earth is at stake because of global warming. Europe will continue to lead the fight against climate change. We have ambitious legislation in place. We are reducing our emissions considerably, expanding renewables and saving energy, Hedegaard said. And we are getting ready for the next step: climate and energy targets for 2030 that the Commission will present before the end of the year. The reality is that others are now following suit. Europe will continue to demand more action from all the emitters.
Published 1 October
Photo: iStock
Sarah says: It is always shocking to see yet more proof of how close we are to climate catastrophe we must hope this report will impact negotiations at COP in Poland. n
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photo: EWE AG / Ibeler
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| feature |
Regulatory changes our biggest risk for offshore investment, say money men
By Sarah Azau
inanciers say regulatory instability is the main thing putting them off investing in the offshore wind industry, according to a new report EWEA releases on 20 November. If the industry is to meet its target of 40 GW by 2020, it will need between 90 and 123 billion in funding between now and then, the report reveals. Yet the large sums themselves are not the issue: it is the instability in national regulatory and market frameworks which are endangering the target. The findings in the report are based on a survey of over 40 industry players including lenders, institutional investors, power producers, sponsors, service providers and wind turbine manufacturers across Europe. There is money and willingness [to finance offshore wind projects] but in order for investors to be convinced the regulators need to establish frameworks that will last, explains EWEAs Jacopo Moccia. Financiers want not only the money itself but to know there is certainty that the country is willing to develop the offshore wind sector. The report also finds discrepancies between the risks as perceived by the
offshore wind industry and the money men. For financiers, for example, one of the biggest risks during the construction phase of the project (the report looks at both the higher risk construction phase and the lower risk operations phase) is the grid. Service providers, however, are less concerned with grid risks than with installation and logistical risk, as they are less likely to be financially impacted by delays to grid connection, according to the survey. The perception of risk also depends on the country, again no more than in the case of grid availability. When the connection and infrastructure are handled by separate bodies for example in Belgium and Germany - the risk is seen as higher. This is because it makes the whole process generally take longer, and therefore grid investment decisions are made well in advance of construction, which can lead to a mismatch between grid infrastructure supply and actual demand at the time of delivery. The consequences of this are major delays in completion, which affects project returns and even potentially revenue. For the service providers, installation and logistics are the main construction risks, as they have to withstand increasingly deeper waters as well as constantly changing wave and weather conditions. In addition to reliable weather and ground assessments, the principal way of understanding and mitigating the risks incurred in this process is through experience. Another risk for financiers is the financial solidity of the suppliers being
Photo: GWEC
used for the project. A suppliers financial strength determines not only its ability to fulfil the contract, but also the guarantees and warranties if it fails to do so. As new technology is used, supplier guarantees provide an assurance and remedy if the equipment or service does not perform prior to 2011, no offshore wind project was fully completed without a contractor going bankrupt, points out the report. During the operation phase of a wind farm, regulatory changes are perceived as the key risk in offshore wind, especially by debt providers. Other technology risks, such as bearing reliability, come in second. Warranty and damage liquidation risks are also ranked highly by debt providers, but less so by service providers. The industry and the debt and equity providers do not always see eye to eye on the risks. If both parties were more involved from the beginning of project development it would help align the risk perception and its mitigation strategies., says Moccia. However, by far the most striking conclusion of the survey is the impact the regulatory instability in some countries is having. If the industry is to achieve its 40 GW by 2020 target and create jobs, green growth and boost energy security in Europe, governments must ensure regulatory stability at national level. At EU level we need a binding renewables target for 2030 to send a clear signal to investors and the industry that this is an industry that will continue to grow.
Copies of the report are available for EWEA members attending EWEA OFFSHORE 2013 at EWEAs stand 31C100. The report is also available for download on www.ewea.org More on EWEA OFFSHORE 2013: www.ewea.org/offshore2013 n
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| interview |
We must build a European energy system based on our strengths

CEO of DONG Energy Henrik Poulsen is chairing the EWEA OFFSHORE 2013 conference. He told Sarah Azau about shale gas and reducing the costs of offshore wind.
How would you describe the current offshore wind power market in Europe? The European offshore wind power market is a high growth market. There is a significant potential for offshore wind power, which is also reflected in the national action plans decided by the different EU countries. In the next 30 years, up to 90% of current European energy capacity will have to be rebuilt due to plant retirements and economic growth. Although we have seen some downward revisions of the growth forecast, I remain confident that there are very significant opportunities ahead for the offshore wind industry. Will offshore financing be a topic of discussion at EWEA OFFSHORE 2013? Financing has been a key topic during the past years due to the financial and economic crisis, and I am convinced that it will continue to be so. The European offshore market is expected to grow by a factor of six towards 2020, and this type of growth will, of course require significant amounts of capital. However, the capital is available as investors look for alternative asset classes providing a meaningful alternative to traditional investments in equity and fixed income. For the past few years, at DONG Energy we have divested ownership shares in our offshore wind farms to private investors, pension funds and industrial partners at a value of approximately 2 billion. To us this has been a way of injecting new capital into the energy sector, enabling us to recycle capital and invest in new projects. For our partners, it has been an opportunity to invest and get a stable return, while at the same time contributing to the conversion to more clean energy. What else do you think people will be talking about in Frankfurt? I hope we will have a good discussion about the potential for offshore wind. Offshore wind is now the fastest-growing energy technology in Europe, and for a number of reasons. We supply clean, green energy through projects that now have the size of large-scale power stations - at sea, where our offshore power plants do not take up valuable land or get in the way of neighbours. We deliver high security of supply using a technology for which production and the cost of energy can be relatively accurately predicted for the next 20-25 years. At the same time offshore wind is rooted in a European supply chain and core competency which has created a significant amount of jobs and economic growth over the past decade. Europe needs to find its own answers to the future energy challenge. We cannot just benchmark against the US and say we want something that replicates their game changing discovery of unconventional fossil fuels. It is not going to happen in Europe at nearly the same scale. We must build a European energy system building on our own strengths and core competencies. If so, I am confident there will also be global demand for the technologies we develop including offshore wind. There is significant potential. However, we have one major challenge: to reduce the cost of offshore wind. Cost of energy is an area where we as a sector must deliver. The costs must come down. This is a prerequisite for us as a sector. We need to further reinforce this work so that not only a few companies or suppliers enhance their competitiveness but the whole sector develops further and finds the innovative solutions required to bring us to a lower cost level. To facilitate this we need policy-makers to provide us with stable, long-term regulatory frameworks supporting offshore wind's final stages of maturation. What do you expect to gain from EWEA OFFSHORE 2013 and what are you most looking forward to? First of all I hope to meet an industry equipped for the challenges of the future. An industry that is bursting with good ideas and initiatives to solve our common challenges including to reduce the cost of energy from offshore wind. An industry humbled by the magnitude of the opportunity and the challenge we face but hopefully also a group of people taking pride in working on a technology that provides a strong and tangible response to one of the biggest challenges facing our planet. All things considered I look forward to an interesting conference with exciting and honest debates which hopefully will chart the course for our industry in the years to come. n
Photo: DONG Energy
We have one major challenge: to reduce the cost of offshore wind.
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| brussels briefing |
EU electricity network project list published, but no supergrids

he first EU-wide list of electricity infrastructure projects of common interest for possible funding under the 5.85 billion Connecting Europe Facility was published in October. EWEAs Senior Regulatory Affairs Advisor Paul Wilczek commented: The fact that there are very few potential meshed offshore grid projects and zero supergrid projects in the list is a sign that political momentum needs to pick up in order to benefit from the huge cost reductions such grids would bring. The EUs infrastructure package is a sound legislative vehicle to bring these badly needed projects forward. What is
Photo: EWEA/Bianchin
Wind can replace conventional technology in providing grid support
needed now is more political willingness

and the right regulatory frameworks at national level to stimulate investors appetite for this type of innovative infrastructure."
EU Parliament rejects Council's 2014 EU budget due to research cut

such as EU research programme Horizon 2020 which includes wind energy research money. The Parliament restored the 43.7 million cut by the European Council, and increased it further. It also underlined that the EU institutions in charge of the European budget must commit to the EUs priorities, in particular strengthening the budget lines relating to the programmes of direct benefit for European citizens and contributing to the delivery of the Europe 2020 priorities which are crucial for the growth and competitiveness of the EU. The budget proposal will now be negotiated between the European Commission, Council and Parliament.
t the end of October, the European Parliament rejected the Council's draft EU budget for 2014. This was due to cuts introduced by the European Council to the EU programmes dedicated to achieving the EU 2020 strategic goals,
What does the future of wind energy support look like?

he European Commission is publishing new guidelines on energy and environmental state aid from 2014-2020. These guidelines cover the support
T
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mechanisms for renewable energy that are considered legal under EU state aid law.
For more information see www.ewea.org.
ind farms could take over from conventional power plants in proving grid support services, an EU-funded project is proving. While the continued use of fossil fuels and nuclear is sometimes justified by their role keeping grid voltage and frequency stable, the REserviceS project proves that wind and solar PV can do it just as well. If they were remunerated for it on the market, they could replace conventional generating technology in this role. This autumn, REserviceS organised three regional workshops in Dublin, Kassel and Madrid. These workshops allowed stakeholders to exchange views on the projects case studies. The very wide range of participants - industry representatives, system operators, regulators, and market parties - highlighted the pertinence of including grid support services from variable renewables into the market, as it can benefit many sectors, commented Sharon Wokke, project manager at EWEA. REserviceS is the first project to investigate wind and solar based grid support services at EU level. It will provide technical and economic guidelines and recommendations for the design of a European market for grid support services, as well as for future network codes within the Third Liberalisation Package. The consortium, led by EWEA, consists of leading knowledge organisations, renewable industry and network operators. The project receives funding from the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme.
Photo: iStock
For detailed results: www.reservices-project.eu n
Photo: EWEA
| feature |
Fish provide the vast majority of food and income for the six communities
Photo: Renewable World
Better health and more income, thanks to a wind-powered fridge

By Rory OKeeffe, Renewable World
ave you heard the one about fish in a fridge? Probably not. But when Renewable World started work on the North Eastern banks of Lake Victoria, in Kenya, it soon became clear that fish in a fridge was a sensible first step towards improving everything from education to health The fishing communities settled on the banks of the Kenyan section of Lake Victoria struggle daily to eke a living from the water and the nutrient-poor, often dry soil at its edges. In fact, these communities are some of Kenyas poorest with almost 71% of their residents living below the poverty line. And in common with 1.3 billion people in the developing world all of them among the worlds very poorest people the root of their problem is lack of power. Not just lack of access to the control structures which might change wealth distribution, or welfare provision within Kenya and across the world, but lack of the power we take for granted in the UK, America and Europe: electricity and energy. But this summer, Renewable World launched a scheme in which the INGO, local partners, and community members themselves are working to improve education, health, water standards and access, crop production, training, enable climate change mitigation and increase incomes. Named Renewable Energy Systems of Lake Victoria Ecosystems (RESOLVE), the programme will also deliver these advances in a completely sustainable manner, and without negatively impacting on the local or global environment. The project part-funded by Comic Relief - will last until 2015, in which time it will deliver solar/ wind hybrid power production systems to six
communities (17,605 people) in Nyanza Province: in year one, the villages of Luanda Rumbo and Got Kachola, and in the proceeding two years, Mohuru, Sori, Oodi and Nyandiwa. The solar panels and wind turbines we and local partners Access Energy, FASCOBI and OSIENALA are installing will be maintained and operated by the community members and those community members will also decide what the power will be used for. Which is how we come to fish in a fridge. When we visited the six communities, we discovered that each one relies heavily on fish for both food and income: the farmland on the Lakes banks is of poor quality and without power, there are virtually no opportunities to learn the skills necessary to change jobs or increase income. But although fish are in plentiful supply in the Lake, lack of power held down the income generated even by this rich natural resource and the hard work which goes into harvesting it. As an example, in Got Kachola, the fishing fleet, which leaves every night and returns the following morning, catches 500kg of Nile Perch each trip. On the first day, this fish is sold at its fair market price. But as soon as that peak trading point is passed, the value plummets. Put simply, in hot weather, people wont pay full price for a day-old fish. As a result, the whole community suffers from a simple, avoidable, problem: low returns for hard work. The solution is simple, and was one of the first suggestions made to us by the villagers: use the power we bring to refrigerate the fish. If your perishable goods shelf-life is too short, plug in
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| feature |
a fridge, and keep them fresh. With power, its as easy as ABC. Without it, its a pipedream at best. As a result of powering refrigerators, fish sales incomes will jump by up to 30% - US$325 per fisher, per year. And of course, the refrigerators will not only contain fish. Many medicines, including insulin for diabetics and anti-venom for victims of snake bites, lose effectiveness if not properly chilled. So not only does a fridge equal extra income, it also means better healthcare. A second benefit of the solar panels and wind turbines, which will produce 4-5 kWh of electricity per day, is lighting. When we arrived, community members only means of lighting were kerosene-burning lanterns. But kerosene fume inhalation causes two million deaths per year around the world. For fishermen working through the night, the health effects of kerosene use could be disastrous. And the same creeping, insidious threats to health attacked women and children at home. Added to that, kerosene is expensive. In the vast majority of homes, youngsters are simply unable to complete schoolwork at home, because its too dark to read and write, and their families cant afford to buy enough kerosene to light their homes. And its a serious issue. Not only do children deserve a decent education, to get the best possible start in life, it is also a well-educated population which will be able to innovate and implement the means to improve their communities and nations situation and standing. But powering lighting systems, combined with the provision of solar lanterns for fishing vessels is another priority the communities have set for the renewable technologies, simultaneously improving health, education and increasing disposable incomes. Health is also at the centre of the third main use of the power generated by the renewable technologies: water filtration. Its an unfortunate irony that the six communities we are working with are sat next to a vast source of fresh water, but their health is at dire risk every time they drink any of it. Polluted water from the Lake is the single worst cause of disease in the region, but without power, there was no opportunity to end it. But using the new power they have, the communities are setting up filtration systems which will make the water everyone relies upon to stay alive, safe to drink. Water pumping is also set to increase incomes, improving crop yields by enabling regular irrigation. And its a sad fact that the effects of climate change are hitting the developing world hardest,
even though the benefits of burning carbon fuels wealth, education, healthcare and opportunity have not reached the communities worst affected by its results. Rain patterns have altered in the last two decades, meaning its no longer clear when its best to plant crops, or which crops are best suited to the new conditions. Even more worrying, the new conditions, characterised by months of drought followed by short periods of remarkably heavy rainfall, wash away the thin layer of fertile soil close to the Lake. This is one reason why we use renewable energy technology: we know people need power to improve their lives, but their lives are already being made harder Solar lanterns and electric lighting by energy generation in developed are improving health, education and states. So renewable technologies offer disposable income levels them an opportunity to realise their potential, without contributing further to the thing that threatens them most. And coming back to fish in a fridge, the programme has another environmentally-friendly impact this time on a local scale. Because of the severe drop-off in price for fish not sold on the day theyre caught, fishermen were fishing every day: the impact on fish stocks was serious, depleting numbers severely. Today, those fishermen can fish less regularly, "The catching fewer fish but making more money. In communities this way, fish species are protected, and a balance is set between the needs of the communiare next to ties, and the continued existence of the fish fresh water, but which deliver food and income. Finally, the technology itself. Our model uses their health is machinery which must be maintained and operat risk when ated. Occasionally, it needs repair. This is not a negative. It enables a first-step they drink it." for community members towards income diversification. Because we and our local partners provide training on how the technology works, how to use it and how to repair it, the people of Nyanza District are not only taking ownership of the tools which can continue to help them improve their lives, they are also learning new skills which they can use to start businesses, or gain new employment. So, the one about fish in a fridge may not be the most hilarious joke ever told. In fact, it hasnt much of a punch-line at all. But for six Kenyan communities on the North Eastern banks of Lake Victoria, it may well be a story with a happy ending.
To find out more about Renewable World, and its work in East Africa, Central America and South Asia, visit us at: www.renewable-world.org. n
17
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| interview |
Wind energy can compete head-to-head with nuclear power

Xabier Etxeberria, Gamesas Business CEO, on Spains changing renewable energy laws, the future outlook and 2030 EU energy policy.
Photo: Gamesa
What impact is the current regulatory uncertainty having on the Spanish wind industry? The energy reforms being implemented by the Spanish government are necessary as the goal is to eliminate the ultimately unsustainable tariff deficit. Moreover, these reforms imply the governance of a sector which has been crying out for a new regulatory framework for some time now. That being said, the new regulations have not been fair with wind power: an energy source that has proven a competitive source of electricity and one that has contributed meaningfully to curbing electricity prices.
turbines beyond original design specifications (regardless of whether there were made by Gamesa or by another manufacturer), thereby guaranteeing the equipments safety and availability, enabling control over O&M costs and streamlining the cost of energy.
What do you think of offshore wind energy, will its costs ever come down enough to be truly competitive? The cost of producing energy offshore is closely tied to the facilitys distance from the coastline and the depth of the sea bed, as these parameters ultimately dictate installation and maintenance ease or complexity. Here at Gamesa What needs to be done, and what is the longer we are working to design and term outlook (are you optimistic?)? The new Our outlook for the wind power develop reliable and productive industry in Spain is that hardly regulations have turbines that are able to produce more energy at a lower cost in any new wind farms will be built in not been fair with order to reduce the overall cost the wake of the entry into effect of energy. To give you an examof the new regulations, at least wind power. in the near term, which will oblige ple, Gamesa is focusing part of customers to maximise income from the faciliits design and development work on reducing the weight of its turbines as this cuts end costs ties they already have in operation: the idea is to significantly and facilitates logistics tasks. make sure that the wind farms already in existence continue to operate and produce energy profitably for as long a period of time as possible. What do the offshore wind turbines of the future look like? This development creates a business opporGamesa is working to develop more powerful yet tunity for Gamesa, which offers operations and lighter weight turbines that are capable of producmaintenance services that are capable of proing more energy at a lower cost. longing the useful lives of wind farms and wind
EU policy has a direct impact on reducing energy imports and fostering innovation and job creation.
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| interview |
Photo: Gamesa
However, the weakness we are seeing across advanced economies is being partially offset by growth in emerging markets, driven not only by very real energy shortfalls but also by wind conditions that boost wind energys competitiveness relative to that of traditional sources of energy. How important is EU legislation in driving the wind energy sector? What are your views on the current 2020 and possible 2030 renewable energy targets? The policies rolled out by the European Union in support of renewable energies have been crucial to the success of the EU's energy agenda and have spawned European companies that have become global leaders. The new rules mean hardly any new This support is additionally key to fighting wind farms will be built in Spain climate change and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. European policy, meanwhile, also has a direct impact on reducing energy imports and fostering innovation and job creation. What are the wind energy industrys long term The regulations of the future (2030) should be prospects in Europe and beyond? Where are the designed to encourage Member States to implenext promising markets? ment stable and flexible support measures that The wind energy industrys long-term prospects can be adjusted in line with declining renewable are excellent, underpinned by current forecasts energy costs and market trends. They should for the technologys cost effectiveness: today, wind energy, on a normalised cost basis, can com- further spur the industry to make the long-term investments needed to develop pete head-to-head with nuclear power, The weakness renewable energy sources to their is in the ballpark with coal-fired elecfull potential. tricity and very soon will reach parity across with hydro-electric power and the advanced What needs to happen to ensure conCCGTs. Fuelled by this anticipated tinued growth in the sector? cost-effectiveness, the IEA estimates economies Wind energy has a key role to play that wind power capacity will increase is being in resolving the structural deficits by 11.5% per annum between 2012 in conventional power genand 2018 to total 531,000 MW by partially offset implicit the end of the projection period. The eration: scarcity, dependence and by emerging safety/security. This, coupled with emerging economies are spearheadthe growing competitiveness of wind ing this growth. markets. energy, depicts a solid future for the Taking a shorter-term perspective, wind industry. The key lies with continuing to work however, demand growth remains sluggish as a to reduce the cost of energy. result of the economic weakness afflicting the developed economies and its impact on renewable How do you see EWEAs role, and why does energy support programs. This change is particuGamesa see it as important? larly notable in southern Europe (Italy, Greece and EWEA plays a crucial role in defending and Spain), with demand shifting north (Germany and the UK) and east (Poland), with new markets such representing the European wind energy industry, championing the presence of wind energy within as the Ukraine and Turkey emerging in parallel. In the European energy mix and publicising the the US, the late extension of the tax credits for industrys virtues, specifically its power to reactienergy production from renewable sources (the PTCs) has had a very adverse impact on forecast vate sluggish economies. n demand for 2013.
22
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23
2030
THE NEXT STEPS FOR EU CLIMATE AND ENERGY POLICY
EUROPE NEEDS...
...an ambitious and binding
renewable energy target
To lower the long-term costs of decarbonisation

by driving deployment of and cost reduction in a wide range of renewable energy technologies particularly wind energy
To drive down costs and ultimately remove the need for support for wind energy and other
renewables
To promote energy security, green growth, jobs and leadership

in technologies in which Europe excels and needs to keep a competitive edge, such as wind power
To facilitate the achievement of the 2020 targets

by signalling to investors that renewable energy is a long-term EU priority
02
To avoid a fossil fuel lock-in whereby

new fossil fuel plants are built that will continue running and polluting for many years
To promote environmental protection by

boosting renewable energy technologies like wind, which produces no emissions and uses minimal water
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...an ambitious and binding
greenhouse gas target

To put the EU on the path to the 80-95% greenhouse gas reduction by 2050 agreed by EU leaders (which requires
a zero carbon power sector)
Target 2030
Binding renewable energy, greenhouse gas reduction and energy efciency targets for 2030 are urgently needed in the EU to ensure the renewable energy sector continues to grow and provide clean electricity, energy security, green jobs and export opportunities. But can a target really be the silver bullet the industry claims? Sarah Azau investigates. READ MORE
To help ensure a sound Emissions Trading System (ETS)

which drives emissions down long term (see diagram below)
To put a price on carbon and price emitting technologies

at their real cost to society
Climate change (oods, droughts, health risk)
Emissions from fossil fuels
How the ETS should work
Cost paid by consumers and taxpayers
ETS puts a price on carbon emissions. Fossil fuel electricity is priced at its real cost.
...an energy efciency target

To unlock the cost-effective energy efciency potential
| focus |
EU politicians are betraying EU citizens

sector, also to investors, and enable cost reducor the last few years, Europes energy sector tions and make the 2020 targets to reach, says has been guided by the EU framework put in Bourgeois. place in 2009, built around 2020 targets for reJosche Muth from European renewable energy newable energy (20%), greenhouse gas emission council EREC says: People need to understand reduction (20%) and energy efficiency (also 20%). there is a difference between the regulatory Wind energy in Europe has grown by an average framework and policy certainty which is provided 17.6% a year since 2000. by a binding target at EU and Member State level But as the framework creeps nearer to its expiry and that provided by support mechanisms at date, a new one to replace it is needed. Currently national level. If there is certainty about market the European Commission is preparing proposals shares and a binding commitment by Member which it will publish in January, and the heads of States, the cost of capital will reduce and this state will discuss in March 2014. reduces the cost of those support mechanisms For the wind and renewable energy industry, [for full interview see p. 27]. the current binding targets which have worked extremely successfully in moving the sector forward, and therefore increasing the jobs, export Lowering emissions opportunities and avoided greenhouse gas emisThe renewable energy industry along with others sions it brings should be repeated for 2030. such as the manufacturing industry, environmenIt makes sense to drive renewable energy, tal groups and energy efficiency groups wants which combines economic growth with climate a renewable energy target. Yet Eurelectric, which change mitigation. The European Commission itrepresents the electricity industry, along with self has called it a no-regrets option, along with others believe that only strengthened Emissions Trading System (ETS) [the EUs market system for energy efficiency and infrastructure, points out trading carbon emission allowances] is needed. Stephane Bourgeois from EWEA. Binding targets Our main concern with the 2030 renewables provide the sector with the necessary stability to target is not to have lots and lots of targets, wed thrive. live in chaos, says Scott. The Why is stability such a key "A post-2020 key issue is the instruments. A word? In terms of legal framestrong ETS can support a renewaworks, the stability provided by target will a mandatory target means that bles growth target which would be conrm the investors are sure the sector will at most indicative. If we can get a still be there, and be even bigger, much stronger ETS we are confident direction of in the years to come, so they can this will drive jobs, renewable energy EU policy." commit money to it. growth and so on. There are some Jesse Scott from Europes areas where an ETS price signal electricity body Eurelectric says: Most of the wouldnt be enough, like innovation, or energy efbig guys in the electricity sector are global. They ficiency on the demand side, where public support dont have to invest in Europe; they can invest would be needed. in Turkey or Brazil! If thats the logical business Josche Muth from EREC points out that decision, thats what theyll do, she emphasises. renewable energy policy is about more than just Currently, governments like the one in Spain decarbonisation, but also security of supply and are creating dangerous instability by changing competitiveness. support mechanisms and putting the sector at Decarbonisation will of course mean we risk in Spain, 40% of wind industry jobs have reduce carbon emissions but it wont help security been destroyed this way [see p. 12 for more]. of supply, for example, he says. Whats more, The UK is currently changing from one support the ETS doesnt cover the entire energy sector, scheme (renewables certificates) to another (the only electricity, so it wont allow us to decarbonise Contract for Difference) and taking its time about the whole sector. And it does not allow for any it. But would a 2030 target at EU level be enough kind of innovation: you need to have both push to counter-balance this? and pull policies pushing from R&D and pulling A post-2020 target will confirm the direction coming from having a target and certainty about of EU policy, which will send a message to the the market.
26
| focus |
in the right direction; it all depends on Germany. The irony of the matter is that EU citizens themselves are strongly pro-renewable energy. A 2013 poll by Eurobarometer found that 70% of EU citizens think that renewables "Governments think should be an energy priority for the next 30 years.1 Its urgent a target will cost Although nearly three-quarters One thing most parties agree on billions, but it will of Europeans support renewais that the decision on post-2020 EU energy policy needs to be they were not part of the drive costs down!" bles, made soon. European Commissions recent 2030 is really really urgent, there are 35 consultation on post-2020 EU energy policy! years between now and 2050, most of the things says Bourgeois. Politicians who dont support we build are big and last 40 years, that time for a renewables target for 2030 are betraying the an electrical engineer is too short! says Scott citizens who voted for them. n from EURELECTRIC. We are deeply worried about the problem of the change of mandate, if these decisions are not taken in this mandate [i.e. before the European Commission and Parliament change hands in 2014, ed.], we could arrive on the eve of 2020 with nothing. We also have 2050 decarbonisation targets to meet (80-95%), points out Bourgeois. To meet our 2050 pledge, we need to develop a wide range of technologies and it costs less to do this now, earlier on.
Will it happen?
We already have a set of 2020 targets, so how hard can it be to persuade politicians to replicate them for 2030? In fact, it is already a contentious issue, with 14 Member States (at the time of writing, October 2014) having submitted their responses to the European Commissions consultation nine of them in favour of a renewable energy target [see image on p. 29]. A number of other European countries including Germany, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands and the Baltic States, were still to find a government position, with their environment or climate ministries supporting renewables targets. If a renewable energy target can do so much, why would Member States not want one? The reasons why not depend on the country, says Bourgeois. In the UK its due to anti-Europeanism and Tory backbenchers who are anti-renewables and want to push nuclear forward. In other countries its because of the myths of expensive renewables, the perceived cost of grid integration, or of storage. The anti-renewables guys have done some heavy lobbying, so governments think its going to cost billions, when in fact the target will drive down the cost of the technology and therefore of the necessary decarbonisation to 2050. An important decision-making power lies with Europes biggest Member State, Germany, which has not yet given an official position. Germany was preoccupied with its own elections and (at the time of writing) was still in negotiations to form a coalition government. It all depends on Germany, and Germany is taking its decision late. The UK has already been lobbying against a target; the French are not moving
1
Q&A with Josche Muth, Secretary General of the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC)
Photo: EREC
Can you tell me a bit about the letter you wrote on 2030 targets? EREC together with 67 European companies and associations signed a letter to the EU energy ministers and Climate Action and Energy Commissioners. In the letter we stated: We strongly believe that a new climate and energy framework for 2030 needs to be based on mutually reinforcing tools and targets, including a legally binding target for renewable energy, and urge all policy makers to support a strong and ambitious regulatory framework for the years to come. Signatories included utilities, manufacturers and associations. Some are saying that we dont need a renewable target because the Emissions Trading System can do it all. What is your response? The goal of EU energy policy is security of supply, competitiveness and environmental protection. We are therefore focussed on achieving these multiple goals and to do this in the most innovative and cost effective way you need more than just decarbonisation. Decarbonisation on its own would, for instance, reduce our carbon emissions but without increasing security of supply. We need different policies which would mutually reinforce each other. The other issue is the instruments you use to decarbonise the ETS doesnt cover all energy sectors but mainly electricity. Furthermore, it does not allow for any kind of innovation. In my opinion, you need to have both 'push and pull policies' the 'pushing' coming from the R&D side and the pulling coming from having a target,
Continues on p. 28
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/flash/fl_360_en.pdf
27
| focus |
Q&A with Josche Muth, Secretary General of the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) continued.
having certainty about the market. Such a strategy enables you to get the biggest cost decrease as the technologies are deployed in reality and not just at the R&D stage. To decarbonise the whole energy sector, not just the power sector, we need to push technologies such as offshore wind and ocean energy for instance, which may be more expensive today but which have a massive cost reduction potential for the future. How far could a 2030 target compensate for regulatory instability at national level? A 2030 target gives the direction and the priority and will therefore provide a required level of certainty. The question for investors is what is happening in 2021?, in eight years time. Decisions are taken on the energy landscape today for 2030 and 2040, so investors need to know now what their return on investment will be. A 2030 target will provide them certainty in this regard, but it needs to be put in place soon. What we have seen in the last years, in part due to the lack of a long term ambition out to 2030, is an increase in the cost of capital. It has therefore become more expensive to invest in an energy project than would otherwise be the case. We can reduce the cost of capital if we have a binding target for 2030, clarity on market shares and political direction. We should also not underestimate the impact of the EU target on national policies, since Member States need to comply with it. Just yesterday [30 September, ed.] the European Commission launched infringement procedures against Spain and Italy for not transposing the directive properly. Also, a 2030 target will allow for decreasing cost for support. People need to understand there is a difference between the regulatory framework and policy certainty which is provided by a binding target at EU and Member State level and that which is provided by support mechanisms purely at a national level. If there is certainty about market shares and a binding commitment by Member States, the cost of capital will reduce and this reduces the cost of those support mechanisms. If you want the same installed capacity without a target only via support mechanisms, those mechanisms have to be even more adequate in terms of financing.
Any thoughts on the direction Germany will go in? Will it depend on its coalition partners? We need to see a coalition agreement but Germanys own Energiewende [energy transition, ed.] roadmap shows there are committed to an increasing share of renewables and to have a higher national greenhouse has reduction target. I believe Germany will come forward before the end of the year in favour of a new renewables target for 2030. Then they will have to join forces with Denmark and lead other Member States who are both willing and able to make such a commitment, as well as work to get other Member States on board. Who are the other key players in this debate? France, the UK, Poland and Denmark are those up to now who are most outspoken in terms of positions. The key to the process will be what kind of agreement could be found between Germany (which should be in favour), the UK and Poland (which are against) and whether it is possible to bring in other larger Member States like Spain as being favourable towards renewables. Denmark has been the most outspoken so far and the most clearly committed to a binding 2030 renewable energy target but it has also been hesitant to take the lead and put together a coalition. So on a scale of one to ten with ten as the highest probability, how likely is a renewable energy target for 2030? The European Commission will definitely propose a target as the majority of stakeholders want one, as I mentioned previously with the open letter. Then its about the trade-offs between Member States. I believe it is highly likely that we will see a 2030 target for renewables, certainly 9 out of 10. And will it be binding? And how high will it be? Yes it will be binding. And it will be more than a business-as-usual continuation, which would already bring us to 30% by 2030. At EREC we are calling, together with our members, for a 45% renewable energy target, up from 20% in 2020.
28
| focus |
What do the Member States think?

The outcome of the discussion between EU heads of state in March 2014 will determine the direction of the future 2030 energy legislation. What do we know so far?
Finland Sweden
Estonia Latvia Denmark Lithuania
Ireland
UK
Netherlands Germany Belgium Luxembourg Czech Republic
Poland
Slovakia France Austria Slovenia Croatia Bulgaria Hungary Romania
Picture: Fotolia.com
Italy Spain Portugal Greece
Malta Cyprus
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland: in favour of binding renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction targets for 2030 n n Portugal: is open to a renewable energy target and is keen on an energy infrastructure target nFrance: is in favour, but wants the renewable target to be set only after a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target n Germany, Luxembourg, Sweden: have no official position yet, but are likely to support a renewable energy target n Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia: are in favour of a renewable energy target after further assessment n Finland: supportive of an indicative renewable energy target n Greece: previously supportive of a renewable energy target, but as the upcoming EU presidency country, likely to remain neutral n Spain: keen on greenhouse gas and energy infrastructure targets but have not mentioned renewables n Malta: would prefer to focus on greenhouse gas reductions n Netherlands, Italy: government split on position nCroatia, Cyprus, Slovenia: no official position n Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia: no enthusiasm for a renewable energy target and prefer to have international agreement before an EU greenhouse gas reduction target n UK: explicitly opposing a renewable energy target but wants high greenhouse gas reduction target (50%) n Czech Republic: explicitly opposing a renewable energy target
29
| country focus |
A closer look at
Spain
Photo: iStockphoto
In 2013, Wind Directions will take a look at a selection of wind energy markets across Europe and beyond.
A European wind power success story, Spain now faces setbacks
By Chris Rose
pains wind power sector, long a source of pride to the nations estimated 47 million people, currently finds itself constrained as the country continues dealing with EU-wide economic problems. Originally a wind energy pioneer, in recent months the Spanish government has demolished renewable energy support mechanisms and brought the wind industry to a near standstill, laying blame for its financial difficulties at the feet of the renewable energy sector, despite the national green growth and jobs - 40,000 in wind alone the sector had created. EWEAs 2012 statistics showed that Spain was in second place in Europe in
terms of total wind energy capacity with a total of 22.8 GW (22,800 MW) of wind energy capacity installed. However, the Spanish wind energy industry, which installed 1,122 MW of wind power last year (almost the last megawatts authorised by the government to be installed under the old Feed-in Tariff system), finds itself at a cross-roads. In the first six months of 2013, only 122 MW were installed, again under the old regime. From 2014 onwards, no wind energy is expected to be installed if the regulatory framework under discussion is approved as laid out by the government. Heikki Willstedt, director of Energy Policy for the Spanish Wind Energy
Association (AEE), said the governments recent regulatory changes to wind power and other renewables are creating severe problems for the sector. Since 2009 the sector has had to endure continuous changes in the regulatory framework, Willstedt told EWEA. The first blow came when annual quotas of installed capacity were established in 2009; then the premium for wind was curtailed by 35% from 2010 to 2013; at the beginning of 2012 a moratorium on incentives for new projects was established; at the end of 2012 a 7% tax on the revenue of installations was adopted; finally, in 2013 the Reform of the power sector is in the process of being adopted: not only the FIT system has been scrapped and changed to a capacity premium, also an important retroactive cut in the retribution for old installations will be adopted. Willstedt said the Spanish wind sector is trying to convince the government that the measures are exceedingly negative and against common EU objectives and law, and that other alternatives are available to solve the tariff deficit problem. Under these circumstances, it will take time and a huge effort before we see the light at the end of the tunnel, he added. About 27,000 people are employed in the wind energy sector, he said, noting that in 2012 wind power avoided the imports of natural gas valued at 2.3 billion while receiving 2.05 bn in incentives. Thus, for each 1 received in incentives, wind power was saving 1.13 in fossil fuel imports and 0.05 additional in avoided CO2 emissions.
30
| country focus |
In 2010 the sectors goal was to have 40,000 MW installed by 2020 (35,000 MW onshore and 5,000 MW offshore), Willstedt said, adding in 2011 the government in its National Renewable Energy Action Plan established 35,000 MW onshore and 750 MW offshore. Currently it is not clear what will be the goals for 2020, given the uncertainty about the future of the sector caused by recent regulatory changes, he said. We expect that in a couple of years, when the current reforms in the power sector start to settle, there will be more clarity about the future objectives for the wind power sector. Wind power so far in 2013 is the second technology in terms of power generation, he said, just behind nuclear and in front of hydro, coal and gas. Wind power is currently supplying 20.5% of Spains electricity, he added. The Spanish governments electricity reform act, which includes the halt of renewables incentives, was laid out over the month of July. Before that, in February, there were previous changes to the incentive scheme that already meant a huge blow for the wind sector. Willstedt told EWEA then that the February changes meant an average wind installation was going to receive about 6 per Megawatt hour less than expected when investment decisions were made. As a result, he added, the sector will see its income reduced by approximately 600 million in 2013, representing around 15% of its turnover. Under the current regulation under discussion, any installation that has already reached a return on investment of 7.5% before taxes will not receive further incentives, thus the retroactivity of the measures. This will penalise those wind farms that were installed
first, when wind technology investments were far more risky than today. Willstedt says that the changes could entail the permanent dismantling of the wind industry in Spain. Along with AEE and national renewable energy association APPA, EWEA has also been closely monitoring the changes in Spain. In a letter to the European Commission in July 2012, EWEA said the wind industry understands that in a time of austerity Member States need to raise revenue to improve their fiscal position. It should be underscored, however, that stifling an industry which is key for green growth, generating revenue, creating green jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions is not a positive development, the letter said. This would in our view be a short-sighted decision. It would hurt the chances of the industry to contribute to the recovery of the Spanish economy which should be the ultimate objective of the Spanish and European authorities. This year in February, EWEA sent the European Commission another letter, raising concerns about the severe regulatory measures recently adopted by the Spanish government impacting renewable energy, particularly wind power. Measures weakening investor confidence in the renewables sector and thereby stifling an industry which is key for economic growth, security of supply, job creation and greenhouse gas emissions reduction is a major blow to key European policy objectives, the letter said. Although Spain has been a great promoter of wind energy in the past, and although 1,122 MW were installed in 2012, it is worth noting that the countrys National Renewable Energy Action Plan had called for 1,700 MW to be installed.
Some observers have suggested that this gap may widen in the future because of the lacked of certainty through a support mechanism. It is unfortunate if that happens considering that the total contribution to the GDP of the Spanish wind sector was 2.6 billion in 2011 and that Spanish wind energy companies remain leaders around the world despite the issues currently being faced in the domestic market. Observers also note that Spains tariff deficit of approximately 28 billion was caused by politicians deciding not to fully reflect electricity generation costs in electricity prices which has now prompted the cash-strapped government to take radical measures, including making renewables pay a highly disproportionate price for the tariff deficit. For his part, Willstedt said obstacles to even higher levels of installed wind power capacity being developed in Spain are not technical, economic, or because of the lack of the resource. The main obstacle is the lack of political will from the central Government, plus fiscal hurdles at the level of autonomous regions. Noting that the Spanish government wants to have adopted all elements and details associated with its complex reforms before the beginning of 2014, Willstedt says he believes the European Commission and the European Union are still evaluating the implications of the changes. But urgency to act is fundamental before the whole reform is adopted as it is, he said. We are working here in Spain and in Brussels together with EWEA to try to change the current proposals as they would put in danger Spains and the EUs achievement of the 2020 objectives for renewable energy. n
Spain the wind energy facts

CURRENT CAPACITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22.8 GW CURRENT OFFSHORE CAPACITY: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zero 2020 RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGET: . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35,000 MW of onshore and 750 MW of offshore wind power capacity
31
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The port is our life. Hands-on mentality, hard work and accessible people, thats our character. Anyone who gets to know Zeeland Seaports becomes acquainted with professionals who are proud of their ports. We understand that your interests are also our interests. Clients come first. Always. We know whats important to your company. Thats all in our character, and one of our many strengths: location on open sea draft of 16.5 metres congestion-free connections with the hinterland no nine-to-five mentality accessible ports and people dedicated terminals for a broad range of cargo you can reach us 24/7 at +31 115 457500
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| opinion |
In deep water, not hot water

ffshore wind farms do not come up against the same not in my back yard issues as onshore wind but unfortunately, it is an expensive business. The cost of developing multi-megawatt turbine is high and building large structures out at sea is both complex and fraught with risk. Then there is the challenge of transmitting power back to the mainland. Earlier this year Siemens Power Transmission division experienced difficulties linked to grid By Junior Isles connections to offshore wind farms. More recently Vestas offloaded its offshore business into a joint venture with Mitsubishi Junior Isles is the Editor-inHeavy Industries. Chief of The Energy Industry GE is also holding off its re-entry Times newspaper and an to the offshore market. GEs new Energy Media Consultant with European renewable energy general Man in Black Media. manager Cliff Harris recently said that despite having developed a 4.1 MW turbine, it must find a away to make it cost-effective. Harris was reported as saying: The current strategy is to watch and see how the market develops. We must find projects that make money for the customer. Certainly the economics surrounding offshore wind are daunting. In the UK, the worlds largest offshore wind market, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) estimates levelised costs of electricity (LCOE) from its deeper water Round 3 offshore wind projects at about 120 (141)/MWh compared to about 100 (118)/ MWh onshore and about 80 (94)/MWh for combined cycle gas turbines. To its credit the wind industry has acknowledged that the cost of offshore wind is too high and has set about the task of identifying how it can be lowered. Last year the UK formed an Offshore Wind Cost Reduction Task Force, which concluded that offshore wind can reach 100/MWh by 2020. If this can be achieved, it would still be more expensive than onshore wind and gas but would be cheaper than coal with carbon capture and storage. In the meantime, however, serious challenges remain. According to the National Renewable Offshore wind Energy Action Plans (NREAPs), some 43 GW farms provide a of offshore wind capacity will be installed in steady cash ow European waters by 2020. An uncertain subsidy environment, in the form over 20-30 years. of new mechanisms or cuts is one of the biggest
threats to this target and represents a real risk to investors. There are also fears that the ongoing recession in the eurozone will reduce liquidity in the debt and equity capital markets. With the large amount of capital needed to build an offshore wind farm, whose costs is at least four times higher than an equivalent CCGT plant and around twice as much as a coal plant, financing is a big stumbling block. In June this year Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP working with Clean Energy Pipeline, a division of VB/Research, published a report entitled European offshore wind 2013 realising the opportunity. It said that in 2012, project debt financing decreased 28% to $2.1 billion (1.6 bn) and noted that this is an issue, particularly as it estimates that about $9 billion (6.6 bn) of project debt finance will be needed each year from 2013 to achieve the 43 GW target. According to a Data Insight Report from Clean Energy Pipeline, commercial lenders have been the most active investors in offshore wind farms in the last three years. Around 20 commercial banks invested in offshore wind projects in 2012, a similar number to 2011. However, there is evidence that institutional investors are also becoming more comfortable with the risks, with the emergence of new sources of debt financing. In June 2012, alongside a number of commercial banks, the pension fund PensionDanmark provided $44 million debt financing to the 216 MW Northwind offshore wind farm. Pension funds have previously invested equity in offshore wind farms, but this was the first time one had invested debt. In June this year PensionDanmark also provided a mezzanine loan in Americas first offshore wind farm, Cape Wind. Although offshore wind farms are expensive to build and maintain, the steady cash flow they provide over 20-30 years is well suited to pension funds. If governments can provide more regulatory certainty, the long-term future of offshore wind will be a lot less stormy than it is currently. Turbines may be moving out into deeper water but the industry is not in hot water. In the current economic climate and uncertain policy environment, offshore wind may be facing strong headwinds but the fundamentals remain sound. n
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The rst series-produced SWATH vessel to be built using carbon bre. The ultra-lightweight construction techniques from Danish Yachts allow these vessels to take advantage of the SWATH concept in ways not seen before. The superstructure itself can be congured in many different ways to suit particular purposes and industries, and the excellent manoeuvrability provided by two diesel-driven fast variable-pitch propulsion systems and hydraulic bow and stern thrusters, underlines the exible solution that the Danish Yachts SWATH is in any environment. The SWATH has two different modes of operation. When operating in catamaran mode, it is a high speed, lightweight and stable offshore vessel able to move fast from one location to the next permitting higher speeds than heavier, traditionally built displacement SWATH vessels. Operating the SWATH mode and with its trimming system, the vessel offers a stable working platform in a large seaway, allowing easy manoeuvrability and control. With its modern hull design, which provides low resistance and optimum conditions for propellers and thrusters, it provides a safe platform to transfer personnel in up to 2.5 metres signicant wave heights. For more information visit www.danishyachts.com
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6/08/13 16:25
| opinion |
Adam Barber examines the thorny issue of financing and the wind industry.
Time to refocus and shift gears

head of the summer break, DONG Energy signaled its intent by offloading its entire Danish onshore wind portfolio. The move confirmed its domestic market exit, as it refocuses attention internationally and offshore. At just 102m, the 272-turbine sale, which included the transfer of 18 support staff and a small pipeline of development sites, simply wasnt a core focus for the utility anymore. And, whilst that spelt good news for the buyers Danish energy company SE and domestic pension fund, PFA it spelt good news for the markets, too. Why? In short, because in recent years European utilities have come under increasing pressure to free up vital capital and boost their balance sheets. Thats a far cry from the situation less than a decade back, when abundant and cheap corporate funding made financing and investing in new energy assets easy. A turn of events that led to many of the utilities investing in non-core revenue generating assets and taking on higher levels of project risk. Now, with growing pressure to boost revenue, in part because of the changing European political energy agenda and a shift in energy-generating demand, the utilities must be more fleet of foot. Whats more, theres a catch. Since its impossible for utilities to move quickly and to react to the wider political landscape and consumer demand while they are experiencing shrinking balance sheets and are operating within whats become an increasingly uncertain energy generating revenue base. And that uncertainty hasnt just been driven by wind. Traditional coal, oil and gas-fired power plants arent guaranteeing the same level of returns that they once were. And its actually not as beneficial to the renewable energy markets and in particular, to offshore wind as one might think. Since, with traditional revenues dropping, utilities are hampered when it comes to future opportunities to invest. Time then to refocus and shift gears. And for the likes of DONG Energy, that means selling off non-core assets in order to continue to build out offshore. Of course, when it comes to investing in offshore wind, this recent dash for cash isnt new. And with the utilities estimated to have already financed over 75% of the 16 bn thats been required to establish the current 5GW offshore wind operating base, theres no doubting that theyve played their part. However, its because of this newly emerging economic and energy picture that future direct investments from the utilities are expected to be few and far between. And its why project finance continues to gain ground.
Photo: Tamarindo Communications
Admittedly project finance is not yet as well established as it is within the onshore markets. However, with over twenty banks and public institutions already playing their part, and with no current proven alternatives, project finance has quickly become the renewable power poster pin-up. Its a well-timed market escalation, too. Since, while the levelised cost of offshore wind is expected to decline thanks to technological acceleration, supply chain efficiencies and market progression, theres still an ambitious set of targets to hit and by proxy, a hunger for fresh capital. Adam Barber is the managing Best industry estimates currently sugdirector of The Tamarindo Group. gest that more than 150 bn is needed His team provides ongoing between now and 2020, with over 100 counsel and advice to ambitious bn required for the UK alone. businesses operating in the This, combined with an average capital financial services and energy expenditure that industry insiders calcuspace. late to be currently sitting at 3.7 million The Tamarindo Group includes per megawatt, suggests that while in the specialist PR and communilong term costs will fall, theres no quick cations advisory, Tamarindo financial fix. Communications and the Indeed, while early offshore wind asnetworking and intelligence sessments suggested that the cost of membership community, A Word capital would fall in line with project prolifAbout Wind. eration, this has not yet come to pass. In part, that may well be because of the inelastic relationship between capital expenditure and variables such as water depth, distance from the shore and so forth. Although this price insensitivity has also inevitably been influenced by higher instalIts often during lation, foundation and cable costs that have not yet these moments been sufficiently negated by ongoing technological turbine improvements. of industry ux So what does this all really mean for the future of that real market offshore wind? And with such vast pools of capital needed, is there a danger that the markets will stall? innovation Theres no easy answer. However, what is certain begins. is that its often during these important moments of industry flux that real market innovation really begins. In the past, that entrepreneurial thinking has been focused almost exclusively within the developer and construction communities with a handful of high-profile dealmakers seeming to singlehandedly initiate a change of industry pace. Now though, and with a number of early-stage offshore developments already having started to change hands, perhaps its time for that approach to be a little more enthusiastically adopted by the money Find out more at men, looking on? n www.tamarindocomms.com
and www.awordaboutwind.com.
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| wind worker |
Wind worker
From underwater survey work to managing the operation of a wind farm, we meet some of the over 200,000 people who make the European wind industry tick.
Tobias Kunze, wind farm cabling manager, EnBW

What does your job involve? As Offshore Implementation Manager for the Internal Array Grid (IAG) of the offshore wind farm EnBW Baltic 2 I am responsible for the successful installation and commissioning of the IAG. This task involves both technical and contractual management. Technical management mostly consists of internal and external interface coordination with other contractors as well as coordination of the certification and approval process. Contractual management mostly comprises monitoring of the contractors compliance with the contractual obligations and the implementation of modifications to the contract which naturally evolve during a project. What is a typical day like for you? A typical day for me starts with a ride on the most beautiful subway route in Hamburg along the Landungsbrcken offering a view along the harbour and a number of landmarks of the city. In the office, I am having many meetings with other parties the IAG has interfaces with, such as the offshore substation or the wind turbines. Thus, coordination is needed in order to avoid costly reworks during the offshore construction phase. Furthermore, reviewing of technical documents is part of the daily routine for avoidance of conflicts and ensuring contractual compliance. How did you come to work in a job related to the wind energy industry? During my studies I already familiarised myself with wind energy by taking a lecture dedicated to this topic. Being interested in gaining a deeper understanding and to apply my knowledge in practice, I joined a German manufacturer of wind turbines for an internship. With the offshore wind industry offering many interesting technical challenges and being a fundamental part of the energy transition in Germany, I wanted to be part of this turnover of the energy sector and applied for my current job. What is your favourite part of your job? One of my key personal drivers is the daily learning about the challenges and innovative solutions related to the construction of offshore wind farms. An interesting part of my work is the complexity rising from a project having many stakeholders involved, both internal and external, with widely varying interests. Additionally, the little experience in the industry with few standards giving technical guidance new issues constantly arise but also require creativity and give me the opportunity to learn and shape. What is your least favourite part of your job? As the offshore wind energy sector is still requiring significant reductions in cost until it reaches grid parity, it is still very dependent on political backing and currently under discussion. There are different ideas about how the roadmap for energy transition could look like in Germany. Therefore a whole industry is very much dependent on the decisions of a few politicians. This is a risk which I hope is soon mitigated by increased competitiveness of offshore wind energy. Do you work in a team or individually? With the manifold interfaces, every party in the project has to be a strong team player. I am integrated in a team of IAG colleagues, each responsible for a specific lot such as the cable production or the cable protection system. Each of these lots is closely linked to each other and requires constant exchange and close collaboration. What are your predictions for wind energy in the future? What I see is that offshore wind compared to onshore still struggles with forming a mature sector as standardisation and harmonisation is still lagging behind expectations. Unfortunately the financial struggle as seen with some firms further indicates the lack of maturity in the industry. Nevertheless, I expect that after the years of enthusiasm in which many players tried to enter the market and some now find their expectations misaligned with reality, a time of consolidation and the forming of strong market leaders will follow. My expectation is that this will lead to standardisation, reduced cost and increased profitability of offshore wind projects.
A whole industry is very much dependent on the decisions of a few politicians.

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Photo: EnBW
| wind worker |
Lisa Malmquist Ekstrand, Policy Specialist, Head of Public Affairs Northern Europe, Global MarCom & Corporate Relations, Vestas
What does your job involve? I am the Vestas Public Affairs Manager in Sweden, Norway and Finland, and more recently also partly responsible for EU matters relevant for our business. So in practice this means being on top of political and legislative developments that might have positive or negative impact on our business activities in these markets. Another fundamental part of the job is to ensure that Vestas remains an influential voice in the discussions forming new legislation or initiatives related to wind power. I also work very closely with my communications and market intelligence colleagues, as much of our work is closely inter-related. Particularly exciting is my fairly new responsibility of following EU initiatives, especially in these times when the very important future framework for EUs energy and climate policies is up for discussion. The EU 2020 renewable energy target provided the necessary clarity and longsightedness for an industry dealing with large-scale infrastructure projects with long investment cycles. Now 2030 is already at our doorstep and we need to ensure that the success of long-term cost reductions enabled by industrialisation and economies of scale are allowed to continue. What is a typical day like for you? Well, they never really look the same, and you never really know what comes up. But a typical week at least consists of analysing and alerting on new political or legislative proposals, writing position papers or answering consultations, planning for new initiatives such as the Vestas-inspired public acceptance campaign called Act on Facts that we launched in Sweden on 24 October (and in the UK on 6 November) and coordinating Vestas work in Brussels related to 2030. As my job requires close contacts with the Nordic wind power associations and political stakeholders, pretty often a week would also include travelling to one of the Nordic capitals or Brussels. How did you come to work in a job related to the wind energy industry? After some years abroad as a climate and environment adviser in the public sector I decided that it was time to try out the private sector. I wanted to work for a company with a product that I truly believed in, that was modern and where I could
Photo: Vestas
see great growth potential. And what could then be better than Vestas! What is your favourite part of your job? That I am truly proud of our product and all the interesting people that I meet every day. Both outside and inside Vestas. And the feeling that the job we are doing actually matters in the bigger picture. As you never really know how your day will turn out it also means that you need to be quite adaptable to sudden changes that can sometimes be challenging but it also never makes your job boring. What is your least favourite part of your job? The endless amount of e-mails. Do you work in a team or individually? I work in many great cross-functional teams locally, regionally and globally. On a daily basis I work very closely with the local sales teams and market intelligence and communications colleagues as well as with my colleagues in other markets on cross-market initiatives, such as the EU 2030 work. What are your predictions for wind energy in the future? What we have seen today is only the beginning. The growth may not be as aggressive as we have seen in the past, but it looks like were in for a steady and stable build-out as the maturing industry we have become. Next key steps are electricity markets that are designed in a much more effective and efficient manner than what see today. With the continued build-out, wind power and other renewables internal electricity markets must be able to efficiently match variable supply with demand; adequate transmission capacity within and between countries, increased demand side responsiveness, and energy storage solutions. I am sure we will see a lot more in this area as well as a wider discussion on electricity markets adequately rewarding different generation technologies for their respective merits and system wide benefits. n
The job we are doing actually matters in the bigger picture.
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| technology corner |
Better wind resource mapping with one click

How far apart should you place your turbines? What effect will this have on the power output? An EUfunded project is designing software that will process offshore wind farm production scenarios. Pippa Jones takes a closer look.
he European offshore wind industry is growing. Indeed, new offshore capacity installations doubled during the first half of 2013 compared to the same period the previous year. However, there are still uncertainties surrounding the sector, not least a clear understanding of how best to plan offshore wind farms so that they produce as much power as possible. A recently set up EU-funded project is creating state-of-the-art software to generate data that will inject some solidity into this debate. During the first six months of this year, 277 new offshore wind turbines, totalling 1,045 megawatts (MW), were fully grid connected in Europe. In addition, 268 foundations were installed and 254 turbines were erected from January to June, according to EWEA. The sector has therefore been performing well. But unanswered questions remain. One area in particular where accurate data has been thin on the ground is that of wind farm wake predictions. This means the effect that the physical presence of wind turbines would have on the flow of the wind and therefore on the output of a wind farm, its energy yield and other elements.
The European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) has decided to act to try to fill this lacuna by joining forces with partners from industry and academia. The result is the EERA-DTOC (Design Tool for Offshore Wind Farm Cluster), which began operating in January 2012 and will run until June 2015. Its goal is to design software models that will improve the tuning and modelling of wind farms. There was a call for the EU to come forward with some solutions about how to plan large offshore wind farms more efficiently, explains Charlotte Bay Hasager, senior scientist at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and EERADTOC project coordinator. One particular issue was that of missing links between science and industry and so the fact that eight major companies involved in operating wind turbines have joined the project is great news, says Dr Hasager. The companies that are involved are: Norways Statoil and Statkraft; Iberdrola in Spain; Renewable Energy Systems (RES) and the Carbon Trust in the UK, E.On and Hexicon in Sweden, and Germany-based Bard Engineering. In total, 22
40
Photo: EERA-DTOC
The software will calculate the impact of new offshore wind farms on existing ones
partners are involved in EERA-DTOC the majority are European universities and research institutes, although one exception to this is the University of Indiana in the US, whose trustees are also partners in the consortium. The project is costing 4 million with 2.9 million coming from the EUs Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) and the remainder in match funding from industry. The ultimate goal is to deliver a robust modelling tool that we can trust, says Dr Hasager. For many software, users have to go through a high speed learning curve before they understand a system and it is often easy to make mistakes. She says that the project team wants to produce software which even if the user puts in pretty weird data, the programme will be able to figure out that a mistake has been made and that the data is out of balance. Moreover, the team is not aiming to be a panacea to all problems. Some people would like to create a piece of software that can model anything and everything, but we will be pleased if the final programme will model the most likely scenarios, says Dr Hasager. We are therefore happy to admit that we plan to omit lots of things, she adds. Too much software has too many functionalities and then they are not used. In short, we want a software that gets reliable results, insists Dr Hasager.
The first area for the software to tackle is that of optimum spacing between wind turbines in the same farm. If the turbines are placed further apart you get more wind, but then you need more cable and so developers have to be able to work out the most cost effective solutions, says Dr Hasager. This question will become even more significant as large arrays of floating wind farms start to appear, which will then have to be connected to the grid structure and the power generated from them integrated into the electricity supply systems. Secondly, the software will be able to simulate how existing wind farms could impact the efficiency of newly built farms even if there seems to be a fair amount of water between them. We will try to model this for the first time, says Dr Hasager. In the past, a developer would have been the only person to put up an offshore wind farm in a particular spot, but now the map is becoming completely crowded in some areas, she explains. The European Commission anticipated in a 2008 communication on offshore wind energy that "offshore wind can and must make a substantial contribution to meeting the EU's energy policy objectives through a very significant increase - in the order of 30-40 times by 2020 and 100 times by 2030 - in installed capacity compared to today". If this is to be achieved, large amounts of offshore wind farms will have to be built in the coming
41
Photo: GWEC
Dr Hasager: the new tool will run 20 scenarios with one click
years with clusters of wind farms appearing at favourable locations, like in the German Bight and Dogger Bank off the UK coast. Moreover, part of the EERA-DTOC projects brief is that it will contribute to the development of offshore wind power as required by the EUs Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan, which aims to accelerate the development and deployment of costeffective low carbon technologies. Agreed in 2010, one of the aims of the plan is the development of more accurate mapping of wind resources and of capacity potentials in Europe including hostile and complex environments, notably offshore. These challenges are being dealt with by six working groups and their findings will be presented during a series of seminars and workshops organised by EWEA throughout the length of the project. The first EERA-DTOC workshop took place in London on 6 June 2013 and the next update will be given during a seminar given by the project team on 19 November 2013 in Frankfurt, Germany. Dr Hasager and her team are now focussed on integrating the different pieces of software that they want to put together as a single piece of kit. We want to avoid a copy and paste process from software to software and instead get information
As offshore wind grows, it is essential to know how best to position the turbines
sent directly from one database to the software needed, she says. Because of this slightly more long-winded approach, it will take around two years to fully develop the tool. The team also wants to add real power production data to the software. It is always difficult for software to compare power production data as this information is often classified, says Dr Hasager. But she insists that it is really important to get this data shared. The project will therefore use measurements taken by the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy and Energy System Technology (IWES), one of the partners in the project. The institute has a ship equipped with light detection and ranging (Lidar) technology sailing around near windfarms to measure the wake and it will feed this data back to the EERA-DTOC team. After all this information has been collected, the plan is that the software will then take ten to 20 likely scenarios, run them and compare them, says Dr Hasager. A developer will then be able to take this data and estimate how much power could be generated from different scenarios and at what cost, and which scenario would be best for its business. She adds that the project already has ten wake models that have been compared to datasets for two large offshore wind farms and that we can now explain how they are behaving. The final question that will have to be answered before the project is completed is who will be allowed to use the tool and how they will be able to view it. We still have to decide exactly how access to the tool will be work, but it wont be open access, states Dr Hasager. This is because there will be some costs involved in running the software as somebody will have to be paid to update information and to help companies run the programme correctly, she explains. Even if the final tool will be available at a certain cost, this is unlikely to deter developers and others in the wind industry from using it given the advantages it seems set to bring, and the fact it will be offering a unique service. Nobody can run 20 pieces of software, they get tired just thinking about it, and we hope that with our new product, they will be able with just one click decide exactly which software they want to run, concludes Dr Hasager confidently. n
Photo: E.ON
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Photo: Charlotte Hasager
EWEA Technology Workshops Wind Power Forecasting
3-4 December 2013, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Session topics:
The end users requirements Numerical weather prediction models Wind power forecasting models and operational systems Integrating forecasts in business processes How important will forecasting be at 200 GW?
www.ewea.org/workshops
This two-day workshop will focus on technical challenges related to onshore and offshore wind power forecasting and examine how to integrate forecasting into business processes.
SPONSORED BY:
ORGANISED IN ASSOCIATION WITH:
SUPPORTED BY:
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EREC2013
Europes Renewable Energy Policy Conference

28 November 2013, Brussels, Belgium
Join Europes leading biennial Renewable Energy Policy Conference, EREC2013, that has grown since its rst edition in 2004 to become Europes major occasion for exchange and interaction between industry, research and policy. EREC2013 will feature:
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| feature |
Thirty-five years of Wind Directions

Then and now - a quick ashback of covers past and present
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Launched in 1978, as from 2014 Wind Directions will no longer exist as a paper magazine (but will be replaced by an exciting newsletter!). What have some of the highlights of those 35 years been?
1978: Wind Directions starts life as the newsletter of the (then) British Wind Energy Association, edited by William Grylls, designer of vertical axis turbines 1986 to 1996: Wind Directions is produced by David Lindley, then EWEA president and BWEA chairman 1994: Wind Directions is printed in colour 1996: The late Crispin Aubrey, journalist and campaigner, takes over as editor 1997: It becomes solely an EWEA publication 2004: Wind Directions reports on new research from the European Renewable Energy Council predicting 20% renewables by 2020 now a target at EU level 2005: The magazine says that EU installed wind energy capacity tops 34 GW 2008: Wind Directions interviews include Connie Hedegaard, then Danish minister, now EU Commissioner 2009: Chris Rose from EWEAs communications team becomes editor, followed by Sarah Azau 2012: Wind Directions celebrates 30 years of the wind energy industry and of EWEA n
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
November 2013 Volume 32/No 4
2013
Read older issues of Wind Directions on www.ewea.org/wd

With especial thanks to the late Crispin Aubrey, Chris Rose, Zo Casey and Corinne Guichart at Page In Extremis
INTERVIEW
XABIER ETXEBERRIA
2030 targets
CEO offshore, Gamesa
Bringing certainty to the wind industry
45
| EWEA news |
Say goodbye to winter and hello to Barcelona at the EWEA 2014 Annual Event
PowerPoint slides. A Poster presentation uses a large-format poster that will be displayed prominently throughout the event. A dedicated poster viewing session will take place during the conference and presenting authors are required to be present for this. The review and selection procedure ends in December with authors notified of abstract results in late December. Attending the EWEA Annual Event is also the opportunity to meet Europes industry leaders and policy-makers that take the decisions and define the strategic direction for wind energy activities in Europe. The comprehensive conference programme will not only deliver cutting-edge technological knowledge, but also lively debates on European policy, markets and financial issues. Building on the success of the 2013 Vienna edition, which attracted more than 400 exhibitors and over 8,500 participants from the entire wind energy supply chain and from over 40 different countries, EWEA 2014 will take place at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via. The event venue is situated only a short distance from both Barcelonas El Prat international airport (7 km) and the city centre itself, making it an ideal location for international and domestic business. The Opening Reception will occur 10 March, 18:00-20:00, at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via, Exhibition halls. It promises a great opportunity to continue doing business with top wind industry professionals after the busy event hours come to an end. The exhibition area will play host to a more informal style of networking, with participants encouraged to meet one another against a relaxed backdrop of music, drinks and conversation. The Conference Dinner takes place 12 March, 20:00-23:00, at the Maritime Museum. Here you can enjoy a night in the largest, most complete conserved shipyard in the world. The Maritime museum is located in the former shipyards of Drasannes, where ships were constructed to support Barcelonas naval supremacy throughout the Mediterranean expansion. Enjoy dinner in an impressive Gothic building where you will be able to admire faithful large-scale reproductions of vessels such as the royal galley Admirals of the Juan de Austria. The accompanying exhibition is also a great venue for companies to display some of the work that they are most proud of. Outside exhibition space to demonstrate large equipment is also available.
Visit www.ewea.org/annual2014 for further information. In order to book a stand, please contact the EWEA sales team at sales@ewea.org
As winter winds down across Europe, the EWEA 2014 Annual Event in Barcelona is certain to usher in spring with an international platform for the wind energy industry to showcase and demonstrate its latest products and services. Held 10 to 13 March, the annual European congress of the wind industry will, as usual, host an international exhibition as well as featuring a broad conference programme and unrivalled networking opportunities. The 2014 edition of the EWEA annual event will have a special focus on the exchange of experience between Europe and other continents and on all the business opportunities generated for participants, 80% of whom will come from outside the hosting country. EWEA is currently working with the Annual Event track chairs, Henrik Stiesdal, Chief Technical Officer at Siemens Wind Power, Mike Anderson, Group Technical Director at RES Group, and Michael Muskulus, Vice President of European Academy for Wind Energy (EAWE), to develop the technical conference sessions. Abstracts are being accepted for topics under the two tracks. The Science & Research track deals with long-term, detailed and in-depth research and analysis, as well as the development and improvement of design tools. The Technology track deals with the latest technological developments and the direct real-world application of results and tools. An abstract may lead to one of two types of presentations. An oral presentation consists of a 5- to 15-minute speaking slot in a conference session supported by
Photo: iStock
Business can boom at EWEA Annual Events
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Photo: EWEA/Bickley
| EWEA news |
More wind-power workers needed to help fuel sectors fast-paced growth rates
EWEA contributed to and helped publish in August a new report that found a shortage of 7,000 qualified personnel required by the European wind energy sector each year. The 30-page report 'Workers wanted: The EU wind energy sector skills gap' also warned that figure could increase to 15,000 by 2030 if the number of graduates taking courses relevant to the industry does not rise. Nearly 50,000 additional trained staff will be needed by the industry by 2030, the TPWind report said, predicting operations and maintenance will become the greatest source of new jobs and demand for trained staff. To counter this skills gap, the report recommended that current and potential wind-power employees skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses be improved through targeted courses run by external providers. It also found that wind industry experience should be introduced into training and education through short-term secondments or visiting lecturers. In addition, the report recommended expanding the cohort of graduate level wind energy generalists, harmonising vocational education and training at EU
level, and increasing the emphasis on O&M training. By taking these steps and ensuring that the European wind energy industry has access to a well trained workforce, wind energy will be able to continue to play a pivotal role in the transition to a renewable energy system, the report
said. It will also help to boost economic growth and create hundreds of thousands of jobs. The main author of the report was Oscar Fitch-Roy of GL Garrad Hassan.
Download the electronic version: www.ewea.org/report/workers-wanted
EWEA Technology Workshop on wind power forecasting

From R&D to commercial offering, EWEAs second technology workshop of 2013 focuses on technical challenges related to wind power forecasting onshore and offshore. Organised in response to requests from EWEA's members, the workshop will be held 3 and 4 December in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The workshop will cover topics including the end users requirements; numerical weather prediction models; wind power forecasting models and operational systems; integrating forecasts in
business processes; and how important will forecasting be at 200 GW?

More information: www.ewea.org/techworkshops n
47
Photo: EWEA/Kevin McFeely
Photo: REpower
| new members |
EWEA welcomes new members

Access Revenues North America (United States) Access Revenues helps you to access new revenues in North America. They guarantee delivery of a predetermined number of qualified, verified, educated and interested prospects. If they dont deliver on time, theyll keep working until they do, at their own expense. Access Revenues also trains your team on market-leading strategies to effectively sell to American businesses the same training as used by Fortune 100 companies. www.accessrevenues.com Blue Green Wind Partners (Denmark) Blue Green Wind Partners is an associated company of Offshore Wind Capital (OWC) - a leading advisor and transaction manager for potential offshore wind investors. They manage the entire renewables value chain, including green fielding, contracting, construction, operations, acquisitions and financial engineering. Their expertise covers the evaluation of investment assumptions and consequences. www.bgwind.com EIVA (Denmark) EIVA provides software, hardware and integrated solutions for most seabed-to-surface tasks in the offshore survey, construction and services industry. www.eiva.com Eolotec (Germany) Eolotec is an independent developer of mechanical solutions for the wind energy sector, specialising in wind turbine bearing systems. With a unique design approach for large bearings, Eolotec provides reliable, customised and cost-efficient solutions for various applications. www.eolotec.com European Weather Consult (Germany) EWC, private weather service provider founded in 1999, processes highly accurate meteorological data into customer-tailored prediction and statistical products for the energy sector. EWC meets the markets needs with probabilistic multi-model wind power prediction systems, wind time series including long-term correction of measured wind data (MCP), historical re-analysis data, accurate weather forecasts and Wind Energy Indices. www.weather-consult.com IHC Hydrohammer B.V. (The Netherlands) IHC Hydrohammer, IHC Handling Systems and IHC Sea Steel form part of the IHC Merwede group of companies and provide a full range of standard or customised offshore foundation installation equipment. www.ihcmerwede.com Industrieel Klimmen (The Netherlands) Industrieel Klimmen B.V. provides services for work at height, including equipment, inspection and training. Working at height, rescue and custom safety trainings are given by experts at specially equipped training facilities in Amsterdam and in-house trainings are also possible. An online tool guarantees round-the-clock access to inspection and training certificates. www.industrieelklimmen.nl ISEG (Spain) ISEG specialises in wind farm operation and maintenance, integrated logistics, sale and repair of components and parts, as well as offering consultancy services. With headquarters in Zaragoza (Spain), it has a growing international presence in France, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Latin America and the United States. www.iseg.com.es JECS Access Ltd (United Kingdom) JECS Offshore Access provides scaffolding access and encapsulated access and enclosures to the offshore wind industry, delivering practical solutions for all stages of offshore wind projects. www.jecsaccess.com KazEnergy Perspective (Kazakhstan) KazEnergy Perspective was founded as a project analytical company with the purpose of providing all the necessary technical and analytical data for the successful implementation of projects in the field of renewable energy, which is one of the growing segments of power in Kazakhstan. The company can perform high-quality work on the FS, pre-FS, measure the impact on environment, make project of investment in renewable energy and in fact be a guide for investors in Kazakhstans energy market KIC Innoenergy Iberia (Spain) Set up by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), KIC InnoEnergy is involved in a range of activities in the sustainable energy field. They help to deliver products and services, develop new businesses and foster innovation and entrepreneurship through the integration of higher education, research and business. CC Iberia focuses on renewable energy activities in Spain and Portugal. www.kic-innoenergy.com Meteo-Logic (Israel) Meteo-Logic is a leading Machine Learning Forecasting (MLF) solution for the renewable energy industry. MeteoLogics outstanding prediction algorithm enables constant, accurate power and weather forecasts for a specific location no site installation or real-time site connection are required. Meteo-Logics Software as a Service (SaaS) solution supplies round-the-clock forecast updates that are available from any computer, phone or tablet. www.meteo-logic.com NENUPHAR (France) NENUPHARs floating vertical axis wind turbines - Vertiwind - reduce float cost and enhance performance. NENUPHAR went into partnership with TECHNIP and EDF EN in 2009 to develop this innovative technology and is currently manufacturing a floating offshore wind turbine to be tested in 2015 (off Fos-sur-Mer in France). A floating offshore wind farm planned for 2016 has been supported within the NER300 framework. www.nenuphar-wind.com Njord Offshore (United Kingdom) Njord Offshore manages DNV classed crew transfer vessels for the offshore wind farm sector. The aim is to provide the offshore wind farm market with high quality offshore wind farm support and crew transfer vessels. The vessels are operated and maintained to the highest standards to ensure comfort and safety. www.njordoffshore.com
48
Events
OFS - Your Optical Fiber Solutions Partner (United States) OFS is a designer, manufacturer and provider of optical fiber, optical fiber cable, connectivity, FTTX and specialty photonics solutions. OFSs marketing; sales, manufacturing and research teams provide forwardlooking, innovative products and solutions in areas including Telecommunications, Medicine, Industrial Automation, Sensing, Government, Aerospace and Defense applications. OFS provide reliable, cost effective optical solutions to enable their customers to meet the needs of todays and tomorrows digital and energy consumers and businesses. www.ofsoptics.com Orenda Energy Solutions (Canada) Orenda Energy Solutions designs and manufactures fully integrated wind turbine solutions for the rural segment of the small to medium distributed wind industry. The company holds a patent for their fully integrated hinged hydraulic tower system that significantly reduces the cost of ownership and mitigates risk. www.orendaenergy.com ROVOP Ltd (United Kingdom) ROVOP is an independent and specialist provider of underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) services to the offshore wind industry. ROVOP provides market leading equipment, manned by highly experienced ROV professionals. With a successful track record in providing ROV services, from support of the initial survey to the installation of export and inter-array cables, they also provide construction support for projects such as Anholt, Global Tech 1, Humber Gateway, London Array, Meerwind, Nordsee Ost, Thorntonbank, Walney and West of Duddon Sands. www.rovop.com Sanyo Tranding (Japan) Founded in 1947, Sanyo Trading is a Japanese import-export company that is now promoting EcoTechnology - a vertical wind turbine for urban power generation. www.sanyo-trading.co.jp VizionZ Engineering (The Netherlands) VizionZ is a Dutch engineering company delivering innovative solutions for the offshore wind foundations market. Thier technology improves the dynamic and static characteristics of existing designs, leading to a decrease in fatigue and an increase in load capacity. They are currently focusing on solutions for new installations to reduce costs www.vizionz.nl Volker Stevin Offshore (The Netherlands) Volker Stevin Offshore is a full service construction company, focusing on offshore wind foundation solutions. Their in-house design and engineering experts operate alongside operational teams to ensure total integration of the underwater foundation scope. www.vsoffshore.com Zeeland Seaports (The Netherlands) With easy access to northern Europe and the open sea, Zeeland Seaports (Vlissingen and Terneuzen) is the European hub for cargo handling. Flexible and efficient services and a focus on customer care are also reasons for choosing Zeeland Seaports. With many specialised companies based in the area, it is one of the major ports in the region to handle offshore wind cargo. www.zeelandseaports.com n
EWEA OFFSHORE 2013

19 21 November 2013 Frankfurt, Germany www.ewea.org/events E-mail:events@ewea.org Tel: +32 2 213 1860
EWEA Technology Workshop: Wind Power Forecasting

3 - 4 December 2013 Rotterdam, The Netherlands www.ewea.org/events/workshops/ wind-power-forecasting Email: techworkshops@ewea.org Tel: +32 2 213 1844
EWEA 2014 Annual Event

10 13 March 2014 Barcelona, Spain www.ewea.org/annual2014 Email: events@ewea.org Tel: +32 2 213 1860
Photo: zentilia - Fotolia.com
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| the last word |
We cant afford to delay the development of offshore wind

013 has been another exciting year to be involved in the offshore wind sector as the industry continued to take major strides forward. The inauguration of the 630 MW London Array project in July 2013 was one of the major milestones for the year. It is currently the worlds largest operational offshore wind power plant. The total installed offshore fleet continues to grow and has now reached roughly 6 gigawatts (GW), up from 4.3 GW just one year earlier. Another 21 offshore wind power plants, which will boost capacity an additional 6 GW, are under construction or in preparation. Many major financial players like the European Investment Bank and public pension funds are investing in offshore wind as it grows in strategic economic importance. According to the latest Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy report, published by the UK government and industry, the offshore industry has the potential to create 30,000 jobs and contribute more than 8 billion to the economy in the UK alone by 2020. In Germany, the sector already employs 18,000 people. Industry associations estimate that this num-ber could increase to 33,000 by 2021. Furthermore, it is estimated that the revenues of Germanys offshore industry could quadruple to 22 billion by 2021. These numbers are so impressive that one could almost believe offshore wind is right on track.
CEO Offshore, Siemens Wind Power
By Michael Hannibal,
decade. And the levelised costs of offshore wind energy could drop by another 40% to approximately ten eurocents per kilowatt-hour over the medium term. Since the technology is still relatively young, considerable cost-saving potential can still be realised. But this will require predictable conditions that ensure a stable project pipeline for companies in the industry. The offshore sector is on its way to becoming a mature industry that operates cost-effectively with serial production. Yet stable orders that fuel the necessary growth are needed to continue this development. This is the only way to exploit all potential for optimisation for wind turbines themselves and for project management, transportation, installation processes, foundations and special vessels.
A main pillar of tomorrows energy supply

Offshore wind is a young and pioneering industry that creates jobs, reduces fossil fuel imports and offers Europe huge export opportunities as a world leader. It also offers European countries a great chance to meet their renewable energy targets. For the time being, offshore wind requires higher initial investments, yet also provides nearly CO2-free power generation, a high level of reliability and a remarkably high yield per wind turbine. These merits make it a main pillar of tomorrow's energy supply. If we are serious about climate protection, we cant afford to delay the development of offshore wind. European governments need to provide a stable regulatory framework that fosters the ongoing development of offshore wind projects. In other words, Europe should move offshore as quickly as possible to enable the industry to bring down costs and reap the macro-economic and environmental benefits of this technology. Its crucially important that all stakeholders take up the challenge and join forces to push development. Succeeding here would be a major milestone toward reaching the goal of climate protection. This is worth every effort and cant be delayed.
Michael Hannibal is speaking at EWEA OFFSHORE 2013: www.ewea.org/offshore2013 n
Challenges in going forward

But the truth is that the offshore wind sector is being challenged by declining political support and regulatory uncertainty in key markets like Germany, where rising electricity prices have fueled many of this years federal election debates. Some political parties associate these increases primarily with renewable energies and in particular offshore wind. However, the industry has understood that it must bring costs for offshore wind power down and needs to become independent from subsidies. Cost reductions are already under way. Although still in its early days, offshore wind is already one of the most advanced emerging technologies. So far, the wind industry has a track record of reducing costs 40% every
The offshore wind sector is being challenged by declining political support and regulatory uncertainty.
50
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2030 Targets: Bringing Certainty

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THE EUROPEAN WIND INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

November 2013 Volume 32/No 4

XABIER ETXEBERRIA Business CEO, Gamesa

HENRIK POULSEN CEO, DONG Energy

MICHAEL HANNIBAL CEO Offshore, Siemens Wind Power

The Siemens D6 platform

Turbina Sapiens in its natural habitat.

November 2013 Volume 32/No4

WIND DIRECTIONS | November 2013

THERES A BETTER WAY TO PROTECT YOUR WIND TURBINE.

YOUR PARTNER IN PITCH CONTROL

PITCH SYSTEMS | PITCH PRODUCTS | SLIP RING SOLUTIONS

| BLADE SENSING SYSTEMS | GLOBAL SERVICES

| letter from the editor |

WIND DIRECTIONS | November 2013

1,000 turbines of experience on board

Meet us at stand no. 30D20

Acciona set to manufacture wind turbines in South American nation

Iberdrola and Port of Sassnitz sign offshore terminal lease

Siemens has installed first offshore platform in the North Sea

Largest offshore wind farm in Denmark is officially inaugurated

Anchors away for EnBW Baltic 2 offshore wind farm

Paldiski onshore wind farm officially opened on the Pakri peninsula

WIND DIRECTIONS | November 2013

IKEA to purchase Irish wind farm from Mainstream

former Bransford Bridge site near Rugby.

Minister welcomes Keadby community fund boost

First offshore wind turbine installed in Spain commissioned by Gamesa

RES acquires two wind farm sites from SSE

Nordexs business in Pakistan is continuing to gain momentum

WIND DIRECTIONS | November 2013

Vattenfall opens largest onshore wind farm

Keeping up with the blog

Jobs in UK wind energy climb by 70% in three years

Sarah Azau picks her favourite recent blog posts

IPCC: fossil fuels must remain in ground to avoid climate catastrophe

WIND DIRECTIONS | November 2013

Lifting Oshore Wind

photo: EWE AG / Ibeler

WIND DIRECTIONS | November 2013

We must build a European energy system based on our strengths

We have one major challenge: to reduce the cost of offshore wind.

WIND DIRECTIONS | November 2013

EU electricity network project list published, but no supergrids

Wind can replace conventional technology in providing grid support

needed now is more political willingness

EU Parliament rejects Council's 2014 EU budget due to research cut

What does the future of wind energy support look like?

For detailed results: www.reservices-project.eu n

WIND DIRECTIONS | November 2013

Photo: Renewable World

Better health and more income, thanks to a wind-powered fridge

Photo: Renewable World

WIND DIRECTIONS | November 2013

WIND DIRECTIONS | November 2013

Photo: Renewable World

Teresa Arlaban, Research and Patents Manager at Acciona Windpower

Register at early bird rates

Get the early bird discount

Check out how your business can ourish at EWEA 2014

WE GET MORE ENERGY WITH THE LOWEST COE

Wind energy can compete head-to-head with nuclear power