Energy Global - Summer - 2024

ENERGY GL BAL Summer 2024

Turboexpanders in Organic Rankine Cycles: Transforming Renewable Energy Storage

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ENERGY GLOBAL

CONTENTS 03. Guest comment

30. Finding the flow

04. Significant growth in Asia Pacific

Neha Tatikota, Senior Analyst, Frost & Sullivan, provides an overview of the power industry in the Asia Pacific region, looking at six key markets.

T

he Asia Pacific region offers significant growth opportunities. Strong economic growth has returned to many parts of the region, driving electricity demand growth higher. Most households in the region have access to electricity, but average household consumption rates are much lower than those of highly developed economies. The next 15 years will see this picture change as increased wealth drives up demand. At the same time, the region has largely been a laggard when it comes to renewable energy investment (with the notable

exception of China). Policy makers across the region are aiming to try and address this situation, but the reality is that fossil fuels will remain key to the regions power supply.

So how will investment in key country markets unfold over the course of the next decade?

Australia Due to the retirement of coal-fired power facilities – approximately US$12 – US$20 billion will go to phasing out coal-fired generation

SUMMER 2024

over the next 10 years – and increased electricity demand, renewable energy will become pivotal to electricity supply in several states from 2024. Australia plans to add 7.3 GW of onshore wind and over 50 GW of solar energy to the grid by 2030. Improving the regulatory situation related to planning approvals will be pivotal as to whether this can be achieved. Residential solar photovoltaics (PV), already installed on more than 3 million Australian homes, will continue to see significant growth. A total of US$132 billion will be invested in wind and solar PV between 2023 and 2035, 98% of total

Iulian Maciuca, Industry Sector Manager – Renewables, Celeros Flow Technology, details how to meet the challenges of offshore wind turbine installation with reliable equipment.

36. LiDAR: Empowering wind energy's ascent

Matthieu Boquet, Head of Market and Offering of Wind Energy, Vaisala, France, examines the uses of LiDAR technology in wind farms.

power generation investment. By 2035, renewables will account for 74.7% of electricity generated, up from 49% in 2023.

Japan Japan is currently heavily dependent on fossil fuels for power generation. The country has previously had attractive incentives schemes for decentralised solar PV, but has invested limited amounts in utility scale projects. Wind power accounted for just 0.9% of electricity generated in 2023, exceptionally low by

40. Tracking clouds to forecast the solar future

James Luffman, Meteorologist and Founder of Solcast, a DNV Company, explains how satellites and algorithms are being used to finance, build, optimise, and predict global solar generation.

Neha Tatikota, Senior Analyst, Frost & Sullivan, provides an overview of the power industry in the Asia Pacific region, looking at six key markets.

46. Navigating the winds of change 4

ENERGY GLOBAL SUMMER 2024

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04

08. The future is offshore

Phil Combes, Head of Offshore Wind Engineering UK & Ireland, Ramboll, assesses the critical importance of offshore wind for a net-zero future.

12. The intermittency challenge

Louis Mann, Atlas Copco Gas and Process, USA, considers how the use of turboexpanders in organic Rankine cycles can aid solar-energy-storage on the path towards a sustainable energy future.

Dr Evgenia Golysheva, Vice President of Strategy and Marketing, ONYX Insight, UK, looks at ways to close the green skills gap within the wind industry.

50. Renewable energy generation: driving the green future

Sergio López, General Manager of Soltec, Spain, explores how new technology and innovation in renewable energy will help create a greener future.

54. Global news

18. The power of sea state monitoring

Lars Ivar Leivestad, Miros, Norway, poses the question: how can offshore wind operations unleash maritime safety and efficiencies?

24. The next phase for offshore wind

Jan Behrendt Ibsø and Antonela Mitrana, COWI, Denmark, outlines the next phase for offshore wind: digital tools, data-driven design, and hydrogen.

Reader enquiries [enquiries@energyglobal.com]

ON THIS ISSUE'S COVER

24-0609 Energy Global_Cover page_HR.pdf 1 09-05-2024 12:18:15

ENERGY GL BAL Summer 2024

Turboexpanders in Organic Rankine Cycles: Transforming Renewable Energy Storage

Discover the transformative role of turboexpanders in organic Rankine cycles (ORC) for sustainable energy storage. Explore meticulous design considerations and the impact of turboexpander technology on groundbreaking applications. With over 40 years of experience in ORC for geothermal energy, trust Atlas Copco Gas and Process for reliable and efficient medium-duration energy storage solutions.

Copyright © Palladian Publications Ltd 2024. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. All views expressed in this journal are those of the respective contributors and are not necessarily the opinions of the publisher, neither do the publishers endorse any of the claims made in the articles or the advertisements.

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I

Patrick Donati Founder, Terrawatt

n 1H22, the conflict escalation in Ukraine prompted Russia to significantly reduce its gas supplies to its EU customers. This abrupt reduction triggered a surge in gas prices, thrusting the EU into an energy crisis. Throughout the decade spanning from 2010 – 2020, average gas prices fluctuated within a range of €5/MWh to €35/MWh. However, in August 2022, gas prices skyrocketed to an unprecedented high of €300/MWh, dealing a severe blow to consumers and businesses across the continent. This sharp escalation had far-reaching ramifications, causing inflationary pressures throughout the entire spectrum of the European economy. Russian gas, vital for not only heating but also electricity generation, played a central role in this crisis, leading to a staggering 114% increase in household electricity prices on average across Europe.

In response to this crisis, the momentum towards net zero in Europe gained significant traction. Governments across the Eurozone were spurred into action, racing to reduce their reliance on Russian gas. Italy, in particular, felt the impact of soaring gas prices acutely, as a substantial portion of its electricity was generated from natural gas.

This heavy dependence on natural gas stemmed from Italy’s comparatively sluggish progress in transitioning to renewable energy sources, largely driven primarily by regulatory uncertainties. Italy saw minimal renewable energy development since 2012, largely due to a regulatory shift that abruptly ended subsidies for renewables, causing the market to stagnate overnight.

Since 2022, the Italian government, driven

by European legislation mandating the implementation of a certain level of renewable capacity and exacerbated by a severe energy crisis, has enacted a series of regulatory reforms aimed at streamlining the notoriously opaque

and complex permitting process. The primary permitting method for solar projects in Italy, known as The Autorizzazione Unica, has historically been burdened by bureaucracy, often taking up to two years to complete and requiring the submission of over 100 distinct documents. To address this issue, the government introduced the Procedura Autorizzativa Semplificata (PAS) tailored to utility scale solar farms situated on industrial land, within 500 m of industrial zones, on reclaimed mines and dumps, and in other heavily anthropized areas. The PAS can, theoretically, be approved in 30 days using the principle of ‘silenzio assenso’ – silence implies assent. Governing bodies have 30 days to object to a project before it is automatically considered permitted.

In practice, despite best efforts to liberalise the solar development industry in Italy, projects are still constrained by a dizzying mix of local, regional, and national regulations that severely limit the areas suitable for large scale solar farms, the backbone of the energy transition.

The availability of suitable land, particularly reclaimed mines and dumps is scarce and often requires substantial investment to make them viable for solar projects. Many of these sites remain improperly reclaimed or abandoned, necessitating significant large capital expenditure before they can be utilised for solar farms.

In essence, developers experience marginal practical effects in their day-to-day operations, with only a slight acceleration observed in the initial stages of permitting plots for land already suitable for solar. What the industry truly needs is a comprehensive simplification of the administrative burden placed on developers to navigate the permitting process, particularly for unused farmland. This would enhance efficiency and encourage broader adoption of solar energy in Italy.

ENERGY GLOBAL SUMMER 2024

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T

he Asia Pacific region offers significant growth opportunities. Strong economic growth has returned to many parts of the region, driving electricity demand growth higher. Most households in the region have access to electricity, but average household consumption rates are much lower than those of highly developed economies. The next 15 years will see this picture change as increased wealth drives up demand. At the same time, the region has largely been a laggard when it comes to renewable energy investment (with the notable

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ENERGY GLOBAL SUMMER 2024

exception of China). Policy makers across the region are aiming to try and address this situation, but the reality is that fossil fuels will remain key to the regions power supply.

So how will investment in key country markets unfold over the course of the next decade?

Australia Due to the retirement of coal-fired power facilities – approximately US$12 – US$20 billion will go to phasing out coal-fired generation

over the next 10 years – and increased electricity demand, renewable energy will become pivotal to electricity supply in several states from 2024. Australia plans to add 7.3 GW of onshore wind and over 50 GW of solar energy to the grid by 2030. Improving the regulatory situation related to planning approvals will be pivotal as to whether this can be achieved. Residential solar photovoltaics (PV), already installed on more than 3 million Australian homes, will continue to see significant growth. A total of US$132 billion will be invested in wind and solar PV between 2023 and 2035, 98% of total

power generation investment. By 2035, renewables will account for 74.7% of electricity generated, up from 49% in 2023.

Japan Japan is currently heavily dependent on fossil fuels for power generation. The country has previously had attractive incentives schemes for decentralised solar PV, but has invested limited amounts in utility scale projects. Wind power accounted for just 0.9% of electricity generated in 2023, exceptionally low by

Neha Tatikota, Senior Analyst, Frost & Sullivan, provides an overview of the power industry in the Asia Pacific region, looking at six key markets.

5

global standards. Availability of land is an issue in Japan, the population density is high and there has been opposition to renewables in rural parts of the country. Utilities have been hostile to renewables and the required grid investment has not been made.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has heightened Japan’s focus on energy security. Solar PV is forecast to double as a share of total electricity generated to 16% by 2035 with US$163.7 billion invested by 2035. Given Japan’s limited land availability, offshore wind will be a key technology. Project costs for the technology are currently high, but these will slowly decline over the course of the decade. Policy improvements and technological advancements will both support growth, with US$72.9 billion invested by 2035.

To address energy security, Japan’s GX Implementation Council unveiled a new policy to resume the operation of 17 nuclear power reactors in 2023 (of which 11 actually came online) and raise the operational life of current nuclear facilities from 40 to 60 years for long-term energy security. 22 reactors slated for decommissioning will either be replaced by next-generation reactors or restarted.

Despite all of these efforts, coal, natural gas and other fossil sources will still account for 54.3% of electricity generated by 2035.

South Korea Energy security is also a top priority in South Korea, which (like Japan) is almost totally dependent on imported energy. The 2023 10th Basic Plan for Long-term Electricity Demand and Supply emphasises nuclear power and renewables as sources of potential high growth.

However, the government has slashed the 9th Basic Plan’s electricity generated from renewable target from 30.2% to 21.6% in 2030, indicating weaker support for renewables. Given the lack of clear support, Frost & Sullivan forecasts the target will be missed, with only 17.3% achieved by 2030 and 23.1% by 2035. Offshore wind is the bright spot, with US$117 billion invested, meaning electricity from wind power will increase from 0.7% in 2023 to 8.6% by 2035.

Nuclear capacity will increase, and plants are likely to get life extensions. Nuclear will remain a key source of baseload power, consistently supplying 30%/y across the next decade. There will also be an expansion of natural gas. South Korea has a number of long-term supply contracts with Australia and Qatar for LNG. Natural gas will also account for approximately 30% of electricity generated across the decade.

Vietnam Vietnam’s Power Development Plan 8 plan approved in 2023, sets a target for renewables to constitute 80% of energy usage by 2050.

Coal-heavy Vietnam is drafting tax breaks and other perks to drive owners to install solar panels in buildings, to become independent of the outdated grid and the frequency of outages. Despite these efforts, natural gas and particularly coal, will the mainstay of Vietnam’s electricity supply well into the 2040’s. Frost & Sullivan forecasts coal capacity will increase further through the current decade, but as capacity starts to decline in the early 2030s, natural gas and renewables will take over. The country faces a demand-supply mismatch; the state utility EVN’s pressure to keep costs low and projects running behind schedule are the main challenges to investment. Wind targets of 6 GW of offshore and 21.8 GW of onshore wind by 2030 in the new draft plan are highly ambitious. The targets also include 12.8 GW of solar PV by 2030.

Frost & Sullivan estimates that these will be unmet and extended

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ENERGY GLOBAL SUMMER 2024

over a much longer period. Vietnam will invest an average of US$12 billion/y in its electricity grid to 2030 as it tries to increase the capacity for renewable energy, but this will not be enough to enable it to meet the targets.

Indonesia The state utility PLN has revised its power supply master plan and has increased its renewable target to 32 GW, from the previous 20.9 GW. It expects renewables to account for 75% of new capacity, with the remaining 25% natural gas. The Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) scheme has led to US$21.5 billion of funding for Indonesia’s energy transition. As part of this scheme, two coal power plants with a combined capacity of 1.7 GW are to be closed, although the final date is currently scheduled as 2040. Much of the focus has been on renewable development over early coal plant retirements. The hope is that by boosting renewables that it will eventually lead to the closure of coal plants. The reality is that coal will dominate the energy mix for the next 15 years. 3.4 GW of renewable energy capacity was expected in 2023, of which only 2.8% reached commercial operation. Indonesia aims to increase the share of renewables in its electricity mix to reach 44% by 2030 – Frost & Sullivan forecasts this will be 24%, 22% of which will be hydropower and geothermal.

China China has dramatically increased its investment in wind and solar PV in the past five years, with a new record in 2023. Utility solar PV and onshore wind have historically dominated investment, but China is now the leading market for offshore wind and changes to regulations have incentivised investment in decentralised solar PV. China has 27 GW of nuclear plants under construction, with a further 48 GW planned and 93 GW officially proposed. Unlike many countries, China has a track-record of proceeding with proposed projects and the Chinese leadership is committed to nuclear as part of its decarbonisation strategy, so Frost & Sullivan expects the majority of these plants will be constructed. Plants will also be used for dedicated hydrogen production. Despite all this, coal will continue to dominate China’s energy mix, remaining the number one electricity source until the late 2030s. In November 2023, the government introduced capacity payments for coal plants, providing 7% in additional revenues for existing plants and ensuring proposed plants are constructed. Part of the motivation for doing this is the expectation that the utilisation of existing and new plants will gradually decline as renewables increases, but China wants coal to ensure energy security. Gas will play a relatively small role in China, with priority given to industrial users.

Conclusion That Asia Pacific needs substantially more electricity as part of wider economic growth is a given. Investor appetite for what is seen as a high growth region is strong. The majority of the countries have strong solar PV potential and coastlines enabling them to exploit the high efficiency levels that come from offshore wind power. But ultimately how much of total power investment is low carbon and how fast countries can reduce their dependence on coal will be down to the degree of regulatory certainty achieved and the effective implementation of supportive policies by national governments over the coming years.

Unlocking Renewable Energy Storage: Turboexpanders Lead the Way The transition towards a sustainable society is essential in combating climate change.

The integration of turboexpanders in Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) has ushered in a new era of energy storage innovation. Meticulous design considerations have been crucial in adapting turboexpander technology to the dynamic requirements of energy storage systems. The successful commissioning and rigorous validation of RPPCs show us the impact of turboexpanders in groundbreaking applications.

Join us on this journey as we redefine what’s possible in renewable energy storage.

Photo courtesy: Raygen

Our expanders have been integral to Organic Rankine Cycles (ORC) in geothermal energy for more than 40 years. With this proven track record, we bring unparalleled experience to the table, ensuring reliable and efficient ORC power generation for medium-duration energy storage.

O

ffshore wind is one of the fastest-growing renewable energy sources in the world, with the potential to provide clean, reliable, and affordable electricity to millions of homes and businesses. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), offshore wind could generate more than 18 times the current global electricity demand, provided governments and industry work together to accelerate its deployment.

Offshore wind is especially important for the UK, which has the largest installed capacity after China and the most ambitious targets in the world. The UK aims to quadruple its offshore wind capacity to 50 GW by 2030 and to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

However, achieving these goals will not be easy, as the offshore wind industry faces several challenges, not least political and regulatory uncertainty, grid integration, supply chain bottlenecks, environmental impacts, and social resistance. But what are the most significant

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challenges facing offshore wind in the UK, and what are the possible solutions for the industry to overcome them?

The importance of offshore wind for the global and UK energy transition Offshore wind is a key technology for the global and UK energy transition, offering several advantages over other energy sources.

First, offshore wind has a higher technical potential than onshore wind, as the wind speeds and capacity factors are higher and more consistent at sea than on land. This means that offshore wind farms can produce more electricity per unit of installed capacity and can operate at higher load factors throughout the year. As a result, a comparatively small number of offshore wind farm projects can deliver massive quantities of renewable energy capacity in relatively short timescales when compared to other energy sources. For example, the single

Seagreen project developed by SSE has a capacity of 1.1 GW and can deliver enough green energy to power approximately 1.6 million UK homes.

Second, offshore wind has a low carbon footprint, as it does not emit any greenhouse gases or air pollutants during operation and has relatively low lifecycle emissions compared to fossil fuels and nuclear power. Indeed, according to the IEA, offshore wind has a life cycle carbon footprint (including construction, operation, and decommissioning) more than 99% lower than the equivalent coal-fired power station. It is also lower than other clean energy sources, like nuclear, due to the simpler construction and operation processes.

Third, offshore wind has a positive socio-economic impact, creating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and supporting local communities. According to a report by RenewableUK, the offshore wind industry

Phil Combes, Head of Offshore Wind Engineering UK & Ireland, Ramboll, assesses the critical importance of offshore wind for a net-zero future.

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in the UK supported 26 000 direct and indirect jobs in 2019 and contributed £5.4 billion to the UK GDP. The same report projected that the offshore wind industry could support as many as 69 800 jobs and contribute £18.6 billion to the UK GDP by 2026 if targets are met. Moreover, the offshore wind industry provides opportunities for local employment, skills development, innovation, and benefits for coastal communities, such as improved infrastructure, tourism, and fisheries.

Finally, offshore wind does not typically face the same level of community resistance as solar farms or nuclear power stations, for example, as it places most of the infrastructure out at sea.

As with any infrastructure development, offshore wind does inevitably face some challenges, but these are outweighed by significant benefit compared with land-based energy sources.

Modern developments, such as HV DC cables that reduce transmission losses, allow the farms to be placed further offshore minimising potential issues with coastal communities.

The challenges and possible solutions Despite the importance of offshore wind for the global and UK energy transition, the industry faces several challenges that could hinder its growth and development. The offshore wind industry depends on stable and supportive policies and regulations to attract investment and reduce costs. However, the policy landscape for offshore wind is often complex and uncertain, involving multiple levels of governance at the national, regional, and local level, as well as different sectors, such as energy, environment, planning, and maritime.

For example, in the UK, the offshore wind industry is subject to the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, which is a competitive auction mechanism that guarantees a fixed price for the electricity generated by offshore wind farms for 15 years.

However, the CfD scheme is subject to periodic reviews and changes, which can affect the level and frequency of support for offshore wind projects, as was the case with the Auction Round 5.

The government implemented a maximum price cap that failed to reflect the changing reality resulting from the Ukraine war and inflation.

The result was a sum total of zero bids from offshore wind developers. This was a significant missed opportunity, though hopefully also a major lesson learned for governments. Whilst offshore wind is a very mature technology, the industry will still require external support if the necessary progress towards net-zero targets is to be maintained.

The offshore wind industry also has to comply with various environmental and social regulations, such as the Habitats Directive, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the Marine and Coastal Access Act, and the Planning Act, which can impose constraints and delays on the development and operation of offshore wind farms. Greater clarity and certainty on the policy and regulatory framework is needed, as well as more coordination and harmonisation among the different stakeholders and jurisdictions involved. Collaboration between the relevant stakeholders involved should lead to the maximum benefits of offshore wind development being realised. This also applies to community engagement where developers will benefit from building trust and relationships with communities local to offshore wind developments.

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The offshore wind industry requires adequate and efficient grid infrastructure to connect the offshore wind farms to the onshore grid and to transmit the electricity to the demand centres. However, the grid infrastructure for offshore wind is often insufficient and outdated, as it was designed for the conventional power system, which is based on centralised generation sources.

This has created several challenges, including grid congestion, curtailment issues, losses, instability, and security issues.

A good example is that in the UK, the offshore wind industry relies on point-to-point connections which are individual cables that link each offshore wind farm to the nearest onshore substation. However, this approach is costly, inefficient, and unsustainable, as it requires multiple seabed crossings, landfall sites, and onshore reinforcements, and does not allow for optimal use of the offshore wind potential. The offshore wind industry needs more investment and innovation in grid infrastructure, such as offshore grid networks, which are integrated systems that connect multiple offshore wind farms to each other and to the onshore grid and enable cross-border electricity trade and system balancing.

Moreover, the offshore wind industry would benefit from more flexibility and smartness in the grid operation, such as demand response, energy storage, and digitalisation. These measures would maximise the utility of offshore wind and additionally benefit other decentralised and intermittent renewable energy sources such as solar and onshore wind.

The offshore wind industry requires a robust and competitive supply chain to deliver the components and services needed for the development, construction, and operation of offshore wind farms. However, the supply chain for offshore wind is often limited and constrained, as it faces high demand, low supply, high costs/risks, and low margins. In the UK, the offshore wind industry suffers from a shortage of key components, such as turbines, foundations and vessels, which could all affect the successful development of new offshore wind projects.

The offshore wind industry is further constrained by a lack of skilled and experienced workers to run offshore wind farms, particularly engineers and technicians. To address this, more investment in the UK supply chain will be needed, along with greater standardisation and modularisation of components, more innovation and automation of processes, and more training and education of the workforce. All of this should be captured in a dedicated industrial strategy for the UK offshore wind industry with input from all relevant stakeholders.

Offshore wind’s offer of a high potential, low carbon energy source, along with the major additional benefits, makes it a critical technology for the global and UK energy transition.

But if this potential is to be realised, the challenges facing the industry – including regulatory uncertainty, grid integration, and supply chain bottlenecks – which could hamper its growth and development will need to be overcome. Fortunately, these challenges, whether that is clarity and certainty on policy and regulatory frameworks, stepping up investment and innovation in the grid infrastructure, or increasing capacity in the supply chain, can be addressed and overcome. Doing so will secure the offshore wind industry’s vital role in the global and UK efforts to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and provide sustainable, secure, and affordable energy future for all.

cover story

The intermitten

Louis Mann, Atlas Copco Gas and Process, USA, considers how the use of turboexpanders in organic Rankine cycles can aid solar-energy-storage on the path towards a sustainable energy future.

12

ncy challenge T

he climate emergency has made the transition towards a low-carbon world not only essential but also urgent.

While a lot of progress has been made in the technology underpinning renewable energy supplies (such as solar

and wind) in recent decades, its characteristic intermittency continues to present a challenge.

Weather conditions and daily solar cycles create variability in energy production, and this results in a discrepancy between supply and demand. As a result, developing high-tech solutions

for short, medium, and long-term energy storage is crucial.

While batteries are proving to be an effective solution for short-term energy storage (less than four hours), their high initial costs limit their economic viability for medium to long-term storage.

In contrast, mechanical and

ENERGY GLOBAL SUMMER 2024

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thermo-mechanical energy storage systems use less expensive storage mediums, making them a more cost-effective solution for longer durations. Historically, pumped hydro has been the predominant medium to long-duration energy-storage solution, but its dependence on specific geographic locations limits broader adoption. With less geographic constraints, thermo-mechanical systems become an important alternative.

At the heart of most thermo-mechanical energy-storage technologies is power-generating turbomachinery, which is crucial in the system’s efficiency, reliability, and adaptability.

This article provides an overview of the success of turboexpanders in organic Rankine cycles (ORCs). It then goes on to show that the expert technological knowledge and experience from this field can be directly transferred to solar and thermal-hydro energy-storage facilities. And as shown in a pilot study, this provides a method to better deal with the variability inherent in renewable-energy sources.

Turboexpanders have long played a central role within ORCs, a process used in the transformation of low to medium-grade heat into electricity. ORCs function in a similar way to traditional steam cycles but use an organic working fluid, such as butane or pentane, which have significantly lower boiling points than water. Historically, ORCs have proved valuable in geothermal power production and waste heat recovery, where the working fluid can be effectively matched to the heat source, enabling efficient energy conversion. It has been shown that machinery selection within these cycles can further benefit the process. For instance, turboexpanders equipped with variable inlet guide vanes (IGVs) provide flexibility for use where ambient temperature fluctuations may alter operating pressures in an ORC. The ability to run efficiently at a wide range of operation allows for additional energy recovery when ORC condensing temperatures vary, such as with daily or seasonal weather patterns.

Turboexpanders and ORCs

Thermal-hydro energy storage

Turbomachines are not a new technology, and turboexpanders have been an important element in the energy industry for many decades. The term ‘turboexpander’, or simply expander, originates from turbines specifically used in industrial refrigeration. Cryogenic radial inflow turboexpanders were developed in the late 1930s for use in air separation, and by the 1960s, their effective refrigeration and power recovery capabilities led to their widespread use in natural gas processing, petrochemical production, and refineries. The tried and tested features that enabled turboexpanders to excel in these applications were later recognised as beneficial in other hydrocarbon-utilising applications, such as ORCs.

More recently, ORCs equipped with flexible turboexpanders have begun to be utilised in energy storage systems. In contrast to the steady operation of baseload geothermal plants, energy-storage systems require rapid start-ups, frequent start-stop cycles, and fast shutdowns because of the dynamic characteristic of the energy networks. These elements need careful consideration at the turboexpander design stage to maintain performance and longevity.

A case study highlighting the success of such a system can be seen in a pilot plant that opened in August 2023, in Carwarp, Victoria, in the southeast of Australia. Named RayGen Power Plant Carwarp (RPPC), it combines solar and thermal-hydro energy-storage facilities while utilising ORC technology with Atlas Copco Gas and Process turboexpanders.

RPPC integrates a combination of proven technologies in a novel way. Figure 1 shows how the solar collector and thermal-hydro energy-storage function together as a unified solar power plant. A field of smart mirrors concentrates sunlight onto photovoltaic solar modules in a tower-mounted receiver.

This produces 1 MW of electricity for every 2 MW of heat, with a combined energy conversion efficiency of around 90%.

The heat is removed by cooling water, which is then stored in an insulated

Figure 1. Diagram of RayGen’s solar power plant. Source: RayGen.

Figure 2. Organic Rankine cycle with pit thermal energy storage (PTES).

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pit at near boiling temperature. At the same time, electricity sourced from the photovoltaic system (or the grid) powers a chiller to produce cold energy stored in a separate water pit. The stored energy can be then converted back to electricity using an ORC at a chosen time, producing stable electricity even when the sun is not shining.

In the ORC process (Figure 2), heat from the hot water pit is transferred to a pressurised working fluid, in this case, anhydrous ammonia. This fluid evaporates and then expands through a turboexpander, generating power via a generator. Before the cycle can repeat, the working fluid must condense back into a liquid. This is achieved by rejecting heat to the cold-water pit, which is at a near freezing temperature, and then the fluid is repressurised by a pump before starting the cycle again.

To fully take advantage of variable energy prices, medium-duration thermal-hydro energy-storage systems must be designed for rapid start-ups (RPPC can begin operation in under five minutes). While a single start-stop cycle daily is usual for such an operational set up, the system can also manage multiple daily start-stop cycles to match fluctuations in energy prices. Hourly changes in energy pricing are central to the benefits of employing medium-duration energy storage systems: if renewable-energy production is high, the energy supply will likely exceed demand, which would see energy prices drop.

Such lower energy prices mean cold-energy storage via the chillers makes economic sense. At times of low renewable energy supply, however, prices increase, and the energy that has been stored can be sold to the grid.

Tried and tested turboexpander technology Integrally geared radial inflow turboexpanders are a well-suited match for ORC plants, and they are underpinned by tried and tested technology. The variable IGV system is at the heart of the turboexpander flexibility, allowing it to perform at high efficiency across a wide operating range. As well as the IGVs, the turbine stage also comprises a radial inflow expander wheel and discharge diffuser, a robust design that allows for large pressure drops and condensation at the discharge of the machinery which can improve overall cycle performance. The expander wheel is directly mounted to a high-speed pinion of a gearbox, with a shaft seal isolating the working fluid from the nitrogen-purged gearbox. The bull gear is connected to a synchronous generator by a low-speed coupling. Under load, the turboexpander operates at a constant speed which is governed by the grid.

Turboexpanders come in a wide range of sizes to suit different applications. In small hydrocarbon gas processing settings, for example, turboexpanders may use impellers as small as 1.75 in., operating at speeds of 125 000 rpm. In contrast, turboexpanders used in energy production, particularly in geothermal applications, are typically much larger. These larger units often feature impeller diameters of 36 in., operate at 7000 rpm, and they can produce up to 25 000 hp. Using multiple expander pinions on a single gearbox and generator can further this power production on a single train. In both geothermal and waste-heat recovery applications, integrally geared configurations usually start at 5000 hp to be economically viable, though turboexpanders directly coupled to high-speed generators may be suitable for much lower power outputs.

Reliable and efficient energy storage

Figure 3. Integrally geared turboexpander rendering.

Figure 4. RPPC thermal-hydro energy-storage system. Source: RayGen.

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The construction of RPPC finished in 2023 and over an initial test period the pilot plant validated RayGen’s solar power plant technology. It also provided further confirmation that the ORC and the turboexpander would perform as expected and within specification. This successful demonstration opens the door to developing larger commercial scale plants in Australia and internationally.

Considering the battle against rapid climate change, the expansion in the applications of turboexpanders within ORCs from traditional geothermal power plants to emerging solar-energy-storage systems is an exciting development.

Though innovative in this new application, the turboexpander relies on tried and tested technology.

RPPC’s success not only underscores the capabilities of turboexpanders and ORC technology in capturing and storing solar energy, but it also marks a significant step forward in sustainable power solutions. By incorporating proven technologies into medium-duration energy-storage systems, the industry can better handle the variability inherent in renewable energy sources. Leveraging established technologies, such as ORCs, traditionally used in geothermal and waste-heat recovery, to tackle new challenges in the energy transition represents a lower-risk approach to innovation. As this journey toward a resilient and sustainable energy infrastructure progresses, turboexpanders continue to play an essential role in the transition.

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Figure 1. Wave and weather conditions can change by the time crews arrive at their work location offshore. Getting live updates whenever they are needed, whe

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erever they are needed, helps to keep crews safe.

Lars Ivar Leivestad, Miros, Norway, poses the question: how can offshore wind operations unleash maritime safety and efficiencies?

A

s the global energy industry continues to gather momentum, and offshore wind projects multiply, the maritime industry is also gearing up to meet the demands of this rapidly evolving sector. Indeed, recent research found that the market for offshore wind turbine installation vessels is currently valued at US$746.48 million and is expected to grow to around US$3.64 billion by 2031.1 As the need for installation and maintenance vessels swells, so does the need for technologies that enable efficient operations by providing insights into the sea state, helping operators to meet industry standards and objectives.

Accurate sea state information has always been fundamental for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of offshore operations, no matter the sector. While that is a fact, and one that is unlikely to ever change, how industry monitors the marine environment is constantly evolving and improving.

As the industry grows, offshore wind developers are constantly looking to refine and optimise their offshore installation and operations and maintenance (O&M) operations – for that, new cutting-edge technology, providing reliable data, is needed.

Miros has been constantly evolving its radar-based systems to remain at the forefront of the offshore sector.

The company’s technology gauges live ocean data – waves, currents, sea levels, and weather conditions – providing comprehensive real-time insights, as well as offering short-term prediction of waves and vessel motion, which is key to unlocking effective offshore vessel activities in support of offshore wind.

The motion of the ocean One aspect of vessel operations within the wind industry that can be particularly

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impacted by the weather, and subsequent wave and current conditions, are ‘Walk-to-Work’ (W2W) initiatives. While this process gives wind technicians easier access to fixed or floating wind turbines, enabling O&M activities to run more smoothly, the connection of the gangway system to the turbine throws up obvious risks, and the impact of waves and currents is amplified.

To carry this work out safely, developers and operators require a precise understanding of the current sea state and, therefore, rely on forecast data to enable planning for operations. However, traditional weather forecasts do not always close this knowledge gap, as forecasts are typically less accurate and infrequent, given they are designed to predict longer, slow changing trends.

The ocean surface is not static and can change in a matter of minutes, or even seconds, resulting in operators typically relying on inaccurate or out-of-date seas state information. This has a knock-on effect on offshore operations, especially W2W deployments.

In order to further support planning and operations – that rely more heavily on forecast data – Miros recently launched ‘Forecast’, an application which integrates real-time measured data with forecasted sea conditions. By combining these two elements, clients, like vessel operators, receive the necessary insights to navigate the next steps in their activities, elevating safety with a data-led approach.

The risks of ignoring waves It is also worth developers considering the potential implications of not having access to high-quality, real-time sea condition data, particularly for offshore wind support vessels.

Not having the right wave and weather information can have severe consequences, especially around safety for offshore workers and assets. Making decisions based on incomplete information increases the chances of accidents, vessel collisions, equipment damage, and in a worst-case scenario, loss of life.

Many offshore operations are also subject to regulatory requirements and safety benchmarks that become more

Figure 2. Any offshore wind service vessel with walk to work gangway deployed will benefit from accurate real-time sea state measurements, as well as wave and vessel motion prediction to safeguard its operations.

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difficult to adhere to without proper information, potentially leading to fines, legal issues, and reputational damage.

Put simply, if an operator has access to local real-time data and knows what the offshore conditions are like, it significantly reduces the likelihood of being caught off guard.

Sea-state-as-a-service Miros’ Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled wave sensors are developed and tested for use in the harshest ocean conditions. As a result, they offer an immediate improvement in sea-state monitoring, providing up-to-the-minute data, crucial for optimising offshore wind farm installation and operation.

Moreover, the comprehensive and centralised approach enabled by the ‘Sea-State-as-a-Service’ subscription model further enhances the usability and accessibility of this technology. By subscribing, rather than buying hardware outright, clients receive included premium support and guaranteed uptime, increasing the operational output of wind turbines.

Under as-a-Service, warranty of the state-of-the-art technology and latest Microsoft Azure cybersecurity is included as a standard. If any matters or questions arise, Miros experts are ready to address them.

It also comes with advanced cloud-sharing capabilities and the intuitive, easy to use Data Explorer cloud dashboard; given the number of potential stakeholders in an offshore wind project – owners, installers, O&M crews, asset integrity analysts – the value here is obvious.

On the dashboard, located on the miros.app, users can arrange the real-time measurements in a manner that suits them best, to see the data that matters the most in a preferred view – it is not pre-configured. There is also the option to access historic data, which is beneficial for asset integrity and understanding what impacts the waves have had to a structure over time. This not only allows for safer offshore maintenance activities, but also lowers various cost points for wind farm developers and vessel operators.

Much needed cost relief That cost point is crucial considering the huge financial pressures wind farm developers and their supply chain partners are currently under. Because Miros owns, insures, and maintains its sensors under the as-a-Service model, the upfront investment for asset owners is low and the risk element is removed.

The subscription solution also means that maintenance can be planned strategically around real-time sea state insights, improving efficiency and sustainability by streamlining the number of trips that engineers need to make.

Offshore wind activities are ramping up, while at the same time the costs faced by the industry are also increasing.

Wave measurement can help to reduce these costs by helping companies to better schedule their maintenance based on reliable data, thereby extending the lifespan of assets and ensuring the safety of workers.

For example, if a turbine requires maintenance but it cannot be approached by vessels because of wave heights,

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then the data will flag this. The maintenance team can then reschedule to do other work at another location at the wind farm in the meantime, rather than having to turn back to port and wait for a break in the conditions. Better data means better scheduling, up-to-date details, and clearer information.

There is also an insurance element to consider, particularly for supply chain support. Certain contracts for offshore supply vessels will allow for paid weather downtime.

With live data, developers can accurately assess whether it is safe for crews to work or not. Although a wave height and a safe operation limit is typically agreed before operations are conducted, access to live sea state data means companies can accurately say when that limit is reached, rather than leaving it up to looking out the window.

Tried and tested In order to showcase the benefits of the technology, Miros carried out research alongside Trios Renewables and the University of Strathclyde into how scheduling maintenance can improve the overall performance of a wind farm. This project found that by having real-time sea-state understanding across the site, there is a

clear uplift in operators’ ability to achieve an optimised maintenance routine.

Weather windows can be accurately identified precisely across all corners of the site. Altogether, the study found that operators can save up to £1 million/y from minimising failed attempts to board turbines for maintenance work when having accurate real-time sea-state monitoring. This number does not include the additional energy generated, and therefore profit, stemming from the extra uptime gained. This study was based on an existing offshore wind farm, which is comparably smaller than newer offshore wind farms going live. Therefore, larger cost saving should be achievable at larger sites and turbines.

The Miros Wavex system has also been deployed aboard Rem Power’s state-of-the-art commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) to support its operations globally. Incorporating Wavex, the vessel operator can securely deploy wind farm technicians on turbines at the site through its W2W gangway.

As a result, weather-critical vessel manoeuvres can be conducted safely, mitigating the risks of accidents and improving situational awareness, with vital real-time information displayed on live dashboards and sharable with all project stakeholders.

With Miros’ sensor supporting O&M activities, the vessel operator reported successful results. Captain Kristian Stavset, who utilised Miros’ technology onboard his ship, explained they use the Miros data for mainly two reasons: 1) To evaluate whether the weather forecast is in line with the actual weather conditions. 2) To use the Miros measurements with regards to wave direction vs swell direction vs surface current direction and speed to evaluate and establish the optimal vessel heading to be used when working up against wind turbine generator/transition piece.

Figure 3. Knowledge of real-time accurate local wave and weather conditions facilitates optimised operations, reduced risk, and enhances overall efficiency and safety for maritime operations.

Figure 4. Providing up-to-the-minute views of local sea conditions combined with the forecasted condition data, marine operations teams, site managers, control room operators, and other stakeholders involved in offshore wind operations can confidently elevate maritime safety and operational efficiency.

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Conclusion By adopting such integrated and future-oriented systems, operators can engage in a two-pronged approach, bringing a spotlight on the safety of offshore crews and enhanced efficiencies for improved costs together under one umbrella. As the offshore wind industry continues to develop, and offshore vessel support becomes even more important for driving the energy market towards net zero, reliable sensors and systems that enable these operations present a turn-key solution to the sector, unlocking wider capabilities in line with expanding industry need.

References 1.

‘Offshore Wind Turbine Installation Vessel Market: Exploring Trends and Global Forecast 2031 | Industry Research Biz’, Industry Outlook 2023 Reports, (25 January 2024), www.linkedin. com/pulse/offshore-wind-turbine-installation-vessel-jihqc/

24 27 September 2024

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n the surface, the 10 massive wind turbines that make up the Jeonnam 1 offshore wind farm (OWF) look like any other of its kind. But down below, at the ocean floor, there is a story about an engineering problem and its solution that has a lot to say about where the offshore wind industry is heading.

Jeonnam 1 OWF is the first commercial offshore wind farm in South Korea and is nearing completion with an expected delivery of first power set for later this year.

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The project is a 51-49 joint venture between SK E&S and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP).

Situated off the coast of Shinan County in Jeonnam Province, the finished wind farm will add 99 MW of clean energy generation to the Korean grid, effectively doubling the country’s current installed capacity of 100 MW.1 The wind farm is expected to produce green electricity equivalent to the consumption of approximately 60 000 households in South Korea.

Jan Behrendt Ibsø and Antonela Mitrana, COWI, Denmark, outlines the next phase for offshore wind: digital tools, data-driven design, and hydrogen.

ENERGY GLOBAL SUMMER 2024

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Figure 1. One of the transition pieces being installed at the Jeonnam 1 site.

Figure 2. A monopile en route for installation on site. The monopiles are 8 m in diameter.

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The project encountered various technical challenges throughout the design phase. Most notably the engineers had to deal with significant seabed mobility – a challenging phenomenon where the entire seabed in the area is being exposed to either erosion or sedimentation over time. A considerable amount of engineering effort was dedicated to accurately incorporate this phenomenon into the design process. The approach resulted in a foundation design that balances the necessary conservatism with optimal efficiency.

The site’s water depth ranges from 5 – 20 m with the selected solution of steel monopile foundations featuring an 8 m diameter. Scour protection measures around monopiles are essential at the site, yet they cannot counteract the potential global seabed lowering occurring beyond the protected area.

Due to the combination of seabed mobility and environmental conditions, including shallow water depths at some of the locations, identifying a uniform design for scour protection proved challenging.

This situation required conducting physical model tests to develop tailored scour protection strategies that could effectively address these unique conditions. A joint effort between the project owners, the transport and installation contractor, COWI, and Deltares, a world-leading institute in the Netherlands, made it possible to find the optimal scour protection solution at Jeonnam 1 OWF, accounting for the challenging conditions at the positions investigated.

The process shows how digital tools can help when an offshore wind project is challenged by a complex environment.

This is key for further scaling up the industry, since the power of digital models and big data sets this way can help realise offshore wind farms on sites that previously would have been deemed too expensive or risky to utilise.

COWI has come to rely on a number of digital platforms whenever it helps design the world’s large offshore wind farms. The company develops some of the software itself, and one of the more recent tools to be added to its kit is called COWIND Digital Toolchain. It is specifically designed for optimising the design of monopile foundations for offshore wind turbines. This platform takes into account thousands of parameters to determine optimised and consistent designs for each foundation. It operates in the cloud, allowing for scalability and adaptability to changing design requirements.

COWIND Digital Toolchain is flexible and can be customised to meet project-specific needs while ensuring adherence with ISO 9001 requirements for traceability and standardisation.

Another example of a useful digital tool is COPILOD, which allows for the direct generation of design drawings and reports.

It significantly speeds up the production of foundation designs, reducing costs and resources by up to 80%. Further, COWI deploys COSPIN and COWAL as support systems. COSPIN is used for geotechnical design checks, while COWAL generates wave loads. These systems automate processes and improve efficiency in the design phase.

Software platforms and tools like these have become indispensable in order to streamline the design process, reduce costs, and improve efficiency in offshore wind farm projects and the industry will undoubtedly move towards a more digitalised and data powered approach to design in the years to come.

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For both the Jeonnam 1 project and other recent offshore wind farm projects, the software has been essential to standardising the foundation design across the several foundation units found within any offshore wind farm. This standardisation process is saving costs, and it also simplifies the manufacturing process, and the installation phase for the offshore wind farm project.

Jeonnam 1 OWF’s foundation solution also comprises innovative installation solutions. The embedded part of the foundation being either composed of a monopile (MP) driven to target depth with an impact hammer or composed of several structural components: MP, insert pile (IP) and grout annulus, to form a rock socket. COWI’s extensive experience with drilled monopile foundations played a crucial role in this strategic decision, ensuring the foundation’s adaptability and resilience to the site’s conditions.

Seven tips for offshore wind developers: Focus on reliability, flexibility, and innovation Some of the possible solutions that focus on reliability, flexibility, and innovation for an OWF project are the following: 1. Feasibility studies: Conduct thorough feasibility studies to identify technically and financially feasible locations for OWFs that have the least possible impact on the environment and society.

2. Conceptual design: Select optimal foundations and turbine locations through a comprehensive conceptual design process. This establishes a basis for the financial assessment of the OWF. 3. Wind resources analysis: Utilise high-quality analysis, measurements, wind resource studies, and site-specific wind data input to ensure accurate assessment of wind resources and maximise energy production.

4. Metocean studies: Perform site-specific meteorological and oceanographic studies, considering anticipated climate change effects, wave and hydrodynamic modelling, and statistical analysis to ensure design accuracy.

5. Aeroelastic loads analysis: Determine wind loads and conduct structural response analysis to assess the aeroelastic behaviour of the turbines, ensuring their structural integrity and reliability.

6. Geoscience surveys: Conduct comprehensive geological studies, geophysical surveys, and geotechnical investigations to facilitate the design and selection of appropriate foundation types such as jacket piled foundations, monopiles, anchored foundations, gravity-based foundations, and suction caissons.

7. Scour assessment and protection: Assess and design scour protection measures to mitigate the potential impact of seabed erosion on the OWF structures.

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With achieved project certification, Jeonnam 1 OWF is not only a significant benchmark for South Korea but also serves as a reference for future offshore wind projects by SK E&S and CIP/COP, both in South Korea and internationally.

Jeonnam II and III offshore wind farm projects are already in the pipeline and early concept design works has been initialised.

Together with Jeonnam 1, these projects will bring the total added offshore wind power capacity to approximately 1 GW – a significant contribution to South Korea’s politically set goal of reaching 14.3 GW of installed capacity.

Many offshore wind farm projects are currently in the planning and development phase in South Korea. However, like in many other countries, the electrical grid constraints are very significant in South Korea. Hence some of the green power from the planned offshore wind farms will have to be converted into hydrogen, for example, for the use for the heavy steel manufacturing industries in the country.

Offshore wind and hydrogen Combining offshore wind with hydrogen production is receiving increased attention and interest across the world due to some key factors influencing the build out of offshore wind and green fuels.

In Europe, the politically set target of establishing more than 300 GW of offshore wind capacity towards 2050, just in the North Sea, causes an immediate problem: The grid onshore will not be able to handle this load coming in from the sea. At the same time most countries will face constraints related to electrical transmission which will make it difficult for such an amount of green energy to reach its end user.

Offshore wind farms when located more than approximately 70 – 80 km from shore will also need expensive high voltage direct current (HVDC) equipment offshore, including very expensive converters and transformers and costly electrical transmission offshore cables.

To minimise the energy losses, it is key to place the consumption or the conversion of energy in the proximity of the offshore wind farm.

To transport the energy in the form of hydrogen, which is needed as the energy carrier for the green transition in the chemical and steel manufacturing industries, is approximately one-fifth of the cost of transporting the energy as electrical power.

If offshore wind and electrolysis is combined offshore, it is possible to have a higher utilisation of the electrolysis plant and hence have more operational full load hours of hydrogen production.

Using a combination of electrical transmission and hydrogen as energy carriers also provides a flexibility as to use hydrogen when the electricity prices are low or negative and electrical transmission when the demand for electricity is higher and the electricity prices are higher (Figure 3).

Case scenario analysis for offshore wind and hydrogen production Together with renewables consultancy Brinckmann, COWI has analysed different cases and scenarios of offshore wind combined with hydrogen production. The first case on the

left in Figure 3 shows a fully system integrated hydrogen energy hub offshore with a hydrogen pipeline (48 in.) to shore.

Another case shown to the right is where we have a traditional pure electricity hub offshore with an electrical transmission to shore and hydrogen production onshore behind the meter (direct transmission line to the electrolysis plant).

The cases are all for 10 GW offshore wind farms located 90 km from shore in the North Sea and at approximately 30 m water depth.

The energy hub can be a jacket platform or an artificial island.

The difference in levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) is a 16% lower Figure 3. Comparison across Energy HUB concepts.

LCOH for a system integrated hydrogen energy hub offshore.

The middle case in Figure 3 is for a limited (1 GW) electrical up of offshore wind, it is important to harness the energy of the transmission connection to shore and it shows a similar result as wind in ways that both makes financial sense and not least fully system integrated H2 energy hub offshore. brings the most value to consumers.

Conclusion

References

Making these considerations are key for the budding Korean offshore wind industry and really for all markets with huge plans for scaling up their capacity. At this pivotal moment in the scale

1.

A global industry requires a global publication Register for free at www.energyglobal.com

‘Jeonnam 1 Offshore Wind Project in Korea Reaches Financial Close and Begins Onshore and Offshore Construction’, Copenhagen Offshore Partners, (11 October 2023), https://cop.dk/jeonnam-1-offshore-wind-project-in-korea-reachesfinancial-close-and-begins-onshore-and-offshore-construction/

FINDING THE Iulian Maciuca, Industry Sector Manager – Renewables, Celeros Flow Technology, details how to meet the challenges of offshore wind turbine installation with reliable equipment.

A

s society becomes increasingly environmentally conscious and governments worldwide pledge to reduce their environmental impact, renewable energy is heralded as the answer to a carbon-free future. Wind energy has seen significant growth in recent years and the total installed wind capacity globally is 906 GW.1 Yet, building and operating offshore wind farms relies on specialist wind turbine installation vessels (WTIVs) and associated critical flow control equipment, such as electrical submersible pumps (ESPs). This article explores some key challenges facing the development of WTIVs and the considerations operators need to take when specifying reliable flow control equipment.

The race for renewable energy Many governments have set bold targets in a bid to reduce their carbon emissions. According to McKinsey’s Global Energy Perspective report, 64 countries have pledged their commitment to achieving net zero in the coming years.2 One way to achieve this target is by diversifying away from

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the reliance on traditional fossil fuels and embracing the energy transition, with a move towards renewable energy sources. Indeed, countries and companies alike are investing heavily in this area. The International Energy Agency estimates that renewable energy capacity will have to triple if more than 60% of total electricity generation is to come from renewables by 2030.3 The wind energy market is growing and showing no signs of slowing down as governments worldwide seek to increase their capacity for renewable energy. The Global Wind Energy Council’s 2023 Global Wind report indicates that, globally, 77.6 GW of new wind power capacity was connected to power grids in 2022 (a y/y growth of 9%).

Of this, 8.8 GW was from offshore wind, bringing the total global offshore wind capacity to 64.3 GW.1 Offshore wind farms have a much larger generation potential than onshore wind turbines. There is a more consistent supply of higher wind speeds across the water compared to across land, and so offshore turbines can

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better harness the wind levels to produce more energy than onshore turbines. Also, their size is not restricted in the same way as land-based turbines are as there is less opposition to development from local residents.

However, there are several challenges to overcome in the development of offshore wind farms. These include limited accessibility, prevailing weather conditions, water depths, and the difficulty of bringing the electricity onshore to connect to the grid. In addition, there is a limited availability of specialist WTIV vessels and skilled operators. These factors are exacerbated by the trend towards even bigger and more efficient wind turbines.

Super-sized turbines The world’s first offshore windfarm was built in 1991, in shallow waters off the coast of Denmark. The Vindeby site consisted of 11 wind turbines with blade lengths of 17 m and heights of 54 m, capable of generating 450 kW each.4 The annual power was equivalent to 2000 – 3000 Danish households.

Technology has come a long way since then. In 2023, the world’s first 16 MW offshore wind turbine was installed in southeast China’s Fujian Province. The wind turbine, which is positioned approximately 35 km from the shore, boasts the world’s largest per-unit capacity. The turbine is 152 m high and includes the world’s longest turbine blades at 123 m, with each blade weighing 54 t. The total swept area of the three blades is approximately 50 000 m2, which is equivalent to the area of seven standard-sized football fields. At full wind speed, the wind turbine can generate 34.2 kWh of power after one full rotation. Its annual power output is estimated to average over 66 million kWh and is expected to meet the annual demand of 36 000 three-person families – replacing 22 000 t of standard coal and saving 54 000 t of carbon dioxide.

It is clear to see that wind turbine technology has made significant advances in recent years. As operators have sought to improve efficiencies and capacities, more reliable and larger turbines – coupled with larger rotor diameters and higher hub heights – have been designed and built. It is predicted that,

by 2030, the industry will be deploying 20 MW turbines with rotors of up to 300 m in diameter.

The challenge with installation WTIVs are vessels that have been specially designed to transport, install, and carry out maintenance and repairs on offshore wind turbines. In 2020, there were 16 WTIVs worldwide. However, current WTIVs will not be able to accommodate the next generation of larger-sized wind turbines, and so they need to be upgraded or new ones built.

The next-generation turbines will need a crane capacity of 2500 – 3500 t to get them upright (compare this to 500 t in 2005 when the first jack-up was deployed for offshore wind).

WTIV operators are already building cranes that will be ready to handle 20 MW turbines but, according to a report

by Wind Europe, the demand for offshore wind turbines will outpace the supply of WTIVs capable of handling these new, larger turbines and there will be a shortage in 2024.5 The State of the European Wind Energy Supply Chain research, published by Rystad Energy, states that global demand for WTIVs is expected to grow more than five-fold towards 2030.6 Excluding Chinese WTIVs, the global number of operating vessels is expected to increase to 25 by 2026 (based on confirmed newbuild orders), and by 2030, 60 – 65 vessels will be needed.

Ensuring these vessels are built to install the super-sized turbines efficiently is important. Since offshore wind farms are situated in difficult to access locations, the failure of any equipment can be extremely expensive and can cause major project delays. Operators often rely on specific time slots that are dictated by the limited availability of vessels and crews, as well as by weather patterns, and it could take days for replacement parts to be delivered should one fail.

Achieving accurate flow control These new WTIVs will need to be fitted with reliable equipment, including flow control technology, which is essential because it transfers seawater that is critical for various installation activities including drilling, firewater duties, and providing ballast on semi-submersible structures.

One piece of flow control equipment that is key to wind turbine installation is the ESP. There are many considerations to take when specifying pumps, such as technical specifications, including sizing and flow rate required.

Reliability is also paramount, so maximising operational life and minimising total cost of ownership are essential. It is futile to have a pump that can deliver the right flow rates if it cannot withstand the harsh marine environments and fails after its first use.

Corrosion resistance is key

Figure 1. Diagram of a wind turbine installation vessel showing the positioning of the S&N Pumps E-Z Neptune Reel System with submersible pump.

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Pumps need to be corrosion-resistant and specially designed so that they provide reliable operation in seawater.

Additionally, as seawater acts like a conductor and is corrosive, proper isolation between the electrical equipment and seawater must be provided.

One example is Celeros Flow Technology’s S&N Pumps ESP range, which is built to withstand marine conditions.

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These versatile pumps have been specially constructed using high-grade, robust corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel. A Duplex material grade design is also available to provide enhanced corrosion protection.

Equipped with powerful motors up to 750 hp, these pumps can achieve flow rates of up to 4500 gpm and are available in diameters between 4 – 24 in. Depending on the requirements of the application, these pumps can be orientated either vertically or horizontally.

prevention systems. For example, the SNSAFE system from Celeros Flow Technology provides a robust solution to significantly improve pump service life. SNSAFE includes an anode cage assembly which attaches to the motor housing of an ESP or the suction of a vertical turbine pump.

Strategically placed copper anodes have a DC current passed through them, which releases copper ions into the seawater at a predetermined rate. This averts the growth of unwanted organisms.

Preventing blockages

Reel advantages

Corrosion is not the only challenge in a marine environment.

The presence of marine wildlife can also affect equipment uptime and reliability. For example, seaweed and crustaceans, such as barnacles, can attach themselves to equipment which can have a negative effect on equipment performance. If they grow on pumps, they can create a thermal barrier around the motor, which can reduce the amount of heat that can be dissipated. Other adverse consequences of the growth of marine life include the risk of reduced fluid flow through the piping of the vessel or rig, and the potential for turbulence at pump intakes. Marine organisms could also cause severe blockages which are expensive and time-consuming to remove: in worst-case scenarios, entire sections of pipework may need to be replaced.

One way to prevent blockages caused by the growth of marine wildlife on pumping equipment is to use bio-foul

Pre-loading reel systems, which provide a reliable supply of raw seawater, are another vital piece of equipment on WTIVs. They store, lower, and retrieve a hose with an ESP attached below the ocean surface to deliver seawater to an elevated offshore structure when it is required. A complete seawater lift system consists of a reel with the hose, power cable, safety cable, and a submersible pump/motor with all necessary controls.

Traditionally, reel systems were mounted on the leg of a crane or platform. To make deployment of water quicker and easier, systems are now designed to mount directly to the main deck either with removal anchor pins or by welding.

However, there is one weakness with these systems: hoses can stretch and are at risk of puncture or fracture. This failure can further result in the reel system snagging and causing expensive project delays.

To minimise the risk of failure, hose technology is being continually developed. For example, the E-Z Fit Reel System from S&N Pumps includes a hose with reinforcing wire along its entire length. This system acts to support the combined weight of the pumps, shroud and the full water columns, which in turn eliminates hose stretch and extends hose life. To further maximise the life of the hose, the E-Z Fit Reel System includes a custom-engineered roller solution that intuitively maintains the radius bend of the hose throughout deployment and retrieval.

Conclusion The race to decarbonise the world’s energy supply is placing new challenges on energy generation technology and, by association, on the safety-critical flow control systems on which energy infrastructure relies. As a full lifecycle partner, Celeros Flow Technology works closely with its customers to anticipate the operational and sustainability challenges of the renewables sector, ensuring that flow control equipment and services continue to deliver the performance and reliability required to deliver the energy transition efficiently.

References 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Figure 2. The S&N Pumps range of electrical submersible pumps from Celeros Flow Technology are specifically engineered for seawater service.

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6.

‘Global Wind Report 2023’, Global Wind Energy Council, https://gwec.net/ globalwindreport2023/ ‘Global Energy Perspective 2022’, McKinsey & Company, (26 April 2022), www.mckinsey.com/industries/oil-and-gas/our-insights/global-energyperspective-2022 ‘World Energy Outlook 2022’, International Energy Agency, (October 2022), www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2022 ‘Vindeby Offshore Wind Farm’, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vindeby_ Offshore_Wind_Farm ‘Offshore wind vessels availability until 2030’, WindEurope, (14 June 2022), https://windeurope.org/intelligence-platform/product/offshore-wind-vesselsavailability-until-2030/ ‘The State of the European Wind Energy Supply Chain’, Rystad Energy, (19 April 2023), www.rystadenergy.com/insights/the-state-of-the-european-wind-energy-supply-chain

LiDAR: Empowering Matthieu Boquet, Head of Market and Offering of Wind Energy, Vaisala, France, examines the uses of LiDAR technology in wind farms.

T

he wind power industry leverages LiDAR to understand and accurately harness the planet’s natural air movement and help power a cleaner future. Given wind energy’s ongoing evolution, remote sensing LiDAR technology is no longer just nice to have – it is necessary across different stages of a successful wind farm project.

Globally, wind generation capacity is ballooning, increasing by 75 GW or 9% in 2022. With new on and offshore projects currently in planning and construction to meet increasingly urgent renewable energy goals, the planet’s installed wind energy capacity will only continue escalating. But with growth comes challenges – and an increasing need for accurate and reliable wind data measurements.

Meteorological masts cannot accurately measure the wind’s behaviour at the unprecedented hub height of today’s towering turbines. They are also extremely costly and hold significant safety risks for wind farms constructed in increasingly complex terrains or harsh offshore environments farther from shorelines.

Given these growing concerns, LiDAR – or light detection and ranging – is rapidly emerging as the industry’s new standard for wind measurement, empowering users with accurate, widely accepted – and often bankable – data. LiDAR provides safe, accurate, and cost-effective solutions throughout the lifecycle of wind

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wind energy’s ascent

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energy projects, helping stakeholders and decision-makers overcome challenges and open new avenues to success.

ideal for reducing costs, speeding up wind energy projects, and maximising wind turbine performance and profitability.

LiDAR: Technology for today’s wind projects

A LiDAR solution for each stage of wind energy projects

Modern LiDAR systems have achieved parity with met mast data and outpace met masts in most situations.

Met masts typically can only measure up to the full height of modern turbines with mathematical extrapolation, introducing the possibility of error. Worse yet, these tall structures equipped with anemometers and other meteorological instruments require long permitting processes and can come with high equipment and maintenance costs and significant safety hazards.

LiDAR, on the other hand, sends light beams into the atmosphere, which are reflected and returned by particulates moving with the wind. Using the Doppler effect, the LiDAR unit analyses the frequency of those reflections and computes a highly reliable wind speed. Pulsed LiDAR technology measures multiple heights simultaneously, providing a complete wind profile with no temporal resolution or accuracy compromises.

And multiple measurement heights mean more data, more quickly, providing constant spatial resolution throughout the entire wind profile.

LiDAR units deliver data as accurate as met mast data and fully comply with International Electrotechnical Commission and other regulatory standards. LiDAR’s range of available data is extensive, as is the processing power of modern LiDAR units and their related software. The technology also often comes with modern, cloud-based management and analytics tools, making its insights more accessible and easier to manage. These factors improve situational awareness and allow for previously unattainable benefits, like out-of-the-box power performance testing (PTT) according to industry best practices and the IEC standard.

In some situations, LiDAR complements met masts – filling in gaps in the data, validating and expanding measurements and drastically reducing uncertainty. The technology’s ease of use and deployment — and its ability to accurately measure the full wind profile of even the largest turbines and assess wind characteristics across larger areas – make LiDAR instruments

Onshore and offshore, LiDAR technology supports every stage of a wind farm project.

Figure 1. WindCube offshore wind farm, University of Oldenburg.

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Precise wind resource assessment In the critical phase of Wind Resource Assessment (WRA), LiDAR instruments provide a distinct advantage over traditional methods, enabling developers to efficiently and accurately assess the wind characteristics of potential sites, both onshore and offshore.

Some ground-based or buoy-mounted vertical wind-profiling LiDARs provide accurate wind measurements up to 300 m over 20 simultaneous heights. LiDAR’s mobility, cost-effectiveness and ability to deploy in remote, complex terrain or difficult-to-reach offshore environments underscore the technology’s value in conducting wind measurement campaigns quickly and safely without the need for expensive met mast installations.

For onshore WRA campaigns, developers like RES are embracing standalone vertical profiling LiDAR campaigns using systems like Vaisala’s WindCube® vertical profiling LiDAR. RES completed a 12-month measurement campaign at Northern Ireland’s Corlacky Hill wind farm using a single verified LiDAR, representing a 40% cost savings over a conventional met mast setup. The LiDAR data helped optimise turbine layout and maximise energy yield with zero safety incidents.

Complementing vertical profiling LiDARs are scanning LiDARs, which offer large scale, detailed 3D wind mapping capabilities. These LiDARs can scan in multiple patterns, providing a comprehensive picture of wind conditions across a wide area, up to 10 km, sometimes even 15 km in range. This spatial wind data is invaluable for site suitability assessments, wind flow modelling and reducing uncertainty in WRA campaigns. Wind farm operators can also take advantage of scanning LiDARs to measure the wakes generated by the turbines directly, thus optimising the farm’s power generation by applying wake steering strategies.

Green Power Investment, also known as GPI, is based in Japan and wields extensive experience in offshore wind farms.

Already realising the value of a single scanning LiDAR approach, the renewable energy company deployed dual scanning LiDARs to perform offshore WRA measurements up to 10 km from the coastline. This approach creates multiple offshore ‘virtual’ met masts, making more accurate wind map designs and reducing horizontal wind modelling uncertainty by 6%.

Mountable on existing platforms or placed onshore at the coastline, LiDAR instruments decrease uncertainty by providing spatial resolution to analyse more extensive areas and direct wind assessment to reduce vertical uncertainty, improving project bankability. For offshore, buoy-mounted vertical profiling LiDARs withstand marine conditions to quickly and cost-effectively collect hub-height wind data – without building an expensive platform for offshore data collection.

This technology is often the simplest and most affordable solution for obtaining accurate wind data offshore with minimal upfront costs.

By reducing risk and improving performance forecasting, developers can quickly and confidently confirm project bankability, which streamlines the securing of funding and expedites project development.

As wind farm projects move into the development and construction phases, LiDAR provides invaluable data and insights, ensuring real-time awareness of wind conditions and informing turbine choice and layout decisions.

Vertical profiling LiDARs enable real-time wind monitoring to inform turbine choice and placement during construction.

Scanning LiDARs, with their ability to map wind flows over large areas, help optimise turbine siting through wake analysis and blockage effect studies. Understanding these impacts allows developers to maximise energy production and minimise losses due to turbine wakes, thanks to optimal turbine placement and spacing.

Vertical profiling LiDARs help validate atmospheric models, investigate wind shear and turbulence patterns and conduct various wind studies (e.g., blockage effect, wake) to further our understanding of wind behaviour. Scanning LiDARs enable advanced wind research, such as offshore wind flow mapping, while nacelle-mounted LiDARs aid in the development of LiDAR-assisted wind turbine control systems, which could increase energy capture and reduce loads on turbine components. Nacelle-mounted LiDARs are also instrumental in validating new turbine designs and upgrades and facilitating turbine class upgrades.

By fully characterising the incoming wind field and decreasing uncertainty compared to statistical models, LiDAR helps ensure that next-generation wind turbines are designed for optimal performance and reliability.

Demonstrating innovation to stakeholders enables researchers and forward-thinking companies to pioneer new wind energy sites and approaches.

Clearly, LiDAR helps everyone involved in the wind energy space, from project developers and turbine manufacturers to wind farm operators to research teams innovating the industry’s future.

Wind farm operations and maintenance

LiDAR and a smarter wind energy future

The advantages of LiDAR technology extend well into the operational phase of wind farms. Here operators can leverage LiDAR for reliable contractual and operational PPT, nacelle instrument verification and permanent site monitoring.

Vertical profiling LiDARs installed on-site can continuously monitor wind conditions, providing data to meet grid operator reporting requirements and informing maintenance or upgrade operations. Scanning LiDARs also play a vital role in wind farm operations, delivering valuable wind information for wake analysis, wind farm control systems. By helping reduce fatigue loads on critical components, LiDARs increase the lifespan of wind energy projects.

Nacelle-mounted LiDAR systems further revolutionise turbine performance testing and optimisation. Mounted directly on a turbine’s nacelle, these LiDARs enable reliable PPT in accordance with IEC standards and facilitate yaw misalignment correction, fatigue and load reduction, and turbine design enhancements.

General Electric (GE) recently led a multisite campaign to evaluate nacelle LiDAR accuracy and reliability for contractual PPT per IEC standards. GE found the Vaisala WindCube Nacelle LiDAR provided accurate hub height wind data with lower scatter than masts, good shear characterisation and reliable turbulence intensity readings — giving GE confidence to accept nacelle LiDARs for warranty PPT. Reducing the risk and expenses of a wind farm project through optimised configurations and maintenance ultimately minimises the cost of wind energy.

For centuries, humans have harnessed the power of the wind for various applications. As the world seeks to tap into the wind’s potential for a sustainable energy future, LiDAR technology has emerged as a pivotal enabler for the wind energy industry.

Various LiDAR instruments offer unparalleled advantages over traditional methods, from the initial stages of wind resource assessment to the ongoing operations and maintenance of wind farms. Vertical profiling LiDARs provide essential bankable data for wind resource assessments, enabling permanent wind monitoring and informing turbine choice and layout decisions. Scanning LiDARs offer comprehensive 3D wind mapping capabilities, facilitating site suitability assessments, wind flow modelling, blockage effect studies, wake analysis and wind farm optimisation.

Nacelle-mounted LiDARs propel turbine performance testing and optimisation forward, ensuring compliance with industry standards and enabling anticipatory control optimisations for changing conditions and feedforward turbine control, which helps reduce costs and improve efficiency.

As the demand for renewable energy continues to grow, the advantages of LiDAR technology extend beyond accurate wind data collection. The future growth of wind energy — both onshore and offshore — relies heavily on LiDAR’s precise, cost-effective and versatile wind measurement capabilities, from greenfield prospecting to operating the largest turbines.

With continuous innovation and advancements in LiDAR capabilities and applications, this transformative technology is poised to drive further wind energy efficiency, reliability and growth. Just as humans have utilised the winds for centuries, LiDAR now empowers the industry to harness the winds of change, shaping a better, more sustainable world for future generations.

Optimising wind farm development and construction

Fuelling wind energy research and development LiDAR technology is not only transforming the commercial aspects of wind energy but also driving advancements in research and development.

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to forec solar f James Luffman, Meteorologist and Founder of Solcast, a DNV Company, explains how satellites and algorithms are being used to finance, build, optimise, and predict global solar generation.

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S

olar photovoltaic (PV) is the world’s fastest-growing energy source and, according to DNV’s 2023 Energy Transition Outlook, will only continue gaining momentum. Solar is projected to grow 17-fold between 2022 and 2050, by which time it will represent 54% of global generation capacity and 39% of on-grid electricity.

In many markets around the world, renewable energy mixes are regularly meeting 100% of daily demand,

cast the future driven by complimentary mixes of solar and wind. Grids with high penetration of rooftop solar are seeing daytime electricity prices drop to nominal or negative values, as grid operators try to balance supply against demand. Volatility in merchant markets is driving investment in short-term storage to allow solar producers to take advantage of variable pricing and intra-day storage to leverage evening price spikes. All these changes are accelerating, as power consumers, suppliers, and grid operators seek solutions

whilst investment, manufacturing capacity, and global solar capacity continue to increase at record levels.

As solar and other distributed energy resources change the supply and demand mix across grids and electricity markets, the ability to predict solar production has evolved from preferable to essential. Across the industry, historical and forecast solar irradiance data is being used by developers to assess and invest in new sites, by operators to make smarter storage and

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power management decisions, by power traders to maximise revenues, and by grid operators to more effectively balance supply and demand. To that end, embracing a digital, data-driven approach is becoming critical for companies that wish to harness the weather as the new fuel and build reliable grids powered by renewables.

The increasing role of technology From distributed rooftop systems to utility scale solar farms, digitalisation and digital twin technologies can substantially improve efficiency and performance. However, the growing adoption of digital platforms means industry players require application programming interface (API)-enabled solar data sources with global scale capabilities.

As the industry gets bigger and more complex, more integrated and trusted data sources are needed as everyone from owners, operators, investors, traders, grid operators, and even residential homeowners with solar, seek to understand more

about how their assets are, should be, and will be, performing.

The solution lies in leveraging best-in-class technologies that make employees and workflows more efficient – and businesses more profitable. Ultimately, this digital-first approach will unlock the innovation and scale needed to realise a net-zero future.

Improved capabilities through next-generation satellites High-resolution satellite images (Figure 1) have been fundamental to improving the scale and accuracy of solar irradiance data.

In particular, they enable the accurate, granular tracking of clouds, the largest determiner of solar irradiance in most areas of the world.

The quality of satellite imagery is continually improving through updated geostationary weather satellites. The latest generation, launched globally between 2014 and 2022, has delivered an increase of around 2x in spatial resolution, 3 – 6x in temporal resolution, and 3x in spectral resolution. That equates to a remarkable 20 – 30x improvement overall.

To generate a complete solar irradiance picture, Solcast combines satellite images with other weather inputs such as atmospheric pressure, water vapour, aerosols and ozone, and surface reflectivity (albedo). Combining this network of global data sources allows the generation of a solar specific data set, turning the nightly news weather forecast into a solar-specific accurate forecast suitable for the renewable energy industry. As the industry continues to grow, new innovative applications are being developed on top of a solar specific data stack, enabling the organisations that are working to capture the weather as the new fuel.

Building accuracy through intelligent models

Figure 1. Next-generation satellites make it possible to see the shadows cast by clouds.

When it comes to solar applications, the fine resolution detail of clouds, aerosols, and terrain can have large effects on the accuracy of irradiance data. Therefore, Solcast’s team have focused on investing significant time and resources into building models running at native satellite resolution. Excluding oceans, this 1 – 2 km resolution results in about 100 million points around the world where the company’s data is updated every five or 10 minutes. That is up in the tens of billions of updates

Figure 2. Impact of Alberta wildfires. Left: Irradiance impact from aerosol and cloud for Alberta wildfires, 22 – 23 May 2023. Source: Solcast API. Right: Aerosols from the Alberta wildfires covered North America, 19 – 23 May 2023. Source: ECMWF CAMS.

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and forecasts each day. By comparison, the global weather forecast models that traditional existing forecasts use only update twice per day and at only about 10 – 20 km resolution, resulting in more than 1000 times less updates and forecasts per day.

In addition to precise cloud tracking, an accurate model requires the modelling of the physical characteristics of clouds. Models that interpolate between satellite imagery makes clouds ‘fuzzy’, which does not reflect how they alter irradiance. Instead, Solcast’s 3D cloud modelling helps to more accurately understand (and predict) how clouds form, move, and behave.

Beyond clouds, various other factors can also influence solar generation. To achieve the accuracy levels suitable for the solar industry, the company utilises a range of inputs, models, and algorithms to forecast irradiance with industry-leading accuracy. For example, it has created various models to track local aerosols such as pollution, dust, salt, smoke, and ash.

Aerosol modelling is particularly valuable in desert and semi-desert regions, where atmospheric dust often surpasses clouds as the primary determiner of solar irradiance.

Aerosols are also prevalent in highly urbanised countries like China and India, where emissions from industry, transport, and agriculture cause high levels of air pollution. The impacts of aerosols on irradiance were seen throughout 2023 in North America, where strong winds carried smoke from Canadian wildfires hundreds of kilometres and impacted solar generation far from its origin (Figure 2).

For a complete irradiance picture, Solcast also tracks the reflectivity of Earth’s surface, known as albedo. Specific models analyse satellite images to separate clouds from the ground, which is particularly important in snowy or sandy regions.

Overall, the methodology for arriving at a single metric like global horizontal irradiance (GHI) requires a ‘clear sky’ model that considers aerosols, water vapour, air pressure, elevation, and albedo, and then subtracts terrain and cloud effects. By processing 600 million global forecasts every hour, Solcast can generate accurate estimates – up to 14 days ahead – for almost every location on Earth.

Figure 3. Net change in primary energy supply by source. Source: DNV Energy Transition Outlook 2023.

Figure 4. World primary energy supply by source. Source: DNV Energy Transition Outlook 2023.

Processing cloud models on the cloud Processing data at this scale requires an enormous amount of computational power.

The Solcast API services more than 26 million API calls per day, and each API call can include

Figure 5. An interactive cloud forecast for the April 2024 total eclipse required processing 10.1 million points every 30 minutes. Source: Solcast API.

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Figure 6. Impact of the April 2024 eclipse on US grids (8 April 2024 – actuals compared to day ahead forecast). CAISO BtM solar total eclipse grid impacts.

Figure 7. Impact of the April 2024 eclipse on US grids (8 April 2024 – actuals compared to day ahead forecast). ERCOT utility scale solar total eclipse grid impacts.

up to 30 parameters and as much as five-minute resolution. For site operators, this allows the latest forecasts to be delivered every five minutes, directly to the software, code, or platform where they are running their analysis. For the technology platforms supporting the design, installation, and operation of assets at all scales, this allows data to be delivered to hundreds of thousands of locations per day, with each API call delivering data in real time and occurring without manual input or analysis. Processing these models in the cloud allows Solcast to accurately project solar irradiance in real time, and it allows the industry to build infrastructure around a constant data feed.

Drawing from geostationary weather satellites and various weather model data, Solcast models solar irradiance through four primary modelling steps. The first is a cloud model, which performs the initial work of detecting and characterising clouds from satellite images and data. Second, a clear sky model determines optimal solar irradiance under clear skies, factoring in the effects of aerosols, water vapour, air pressure, elevation, and albedo. The third is a proprietary separation model, also called a diffuse model. It uses machine learning to determine the decomposition of global irradiance into its direct and diffused components, providing direct normal irradiance (DNI) and diffuse horizontal irradiance (DHI) values. The final model transposes irradiance components to plane-of-array and enables global tilted irradiance (GTI) calculations, typically the last step before PV modelling.

As Solcast updates its satellite imagery every 5 – 15 minutes globally, accurately tracking, analysing, and interpreting these images at full resolution – historically and into the future – requires incredible volumes of data. Utilising the latest advancements in cloud computing and machine learning, this information is provided via API to enable the industry to work efficiently, effectively, and with the latest available data.

Real-world benefits of solar forecasting

Figure 8. Impact of the April 2024 eclipse on US grids (8 April 2024 – actuals compared to day ahead forecast). NYISO BtM solar total eclipse grid impacts.

Figure 9. Impact of the April 2024 eclipse on US grids (8 April 2024 – actuals compared to day ahead forecast). PJM combined solar total eclipse grid impacts.

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With the share of solar and wind increasing worldwide (Figures 3 and 4), energy markets are more competitive than ever. For asset owners, operators, or those invested in solar, this trend has reinforced the need to prioritise efficiency and make concerted efforts to minimise costs.

For new sites under development, using multiple sources of bankable satellite-derived historical and typical meteorological year (TMY) data increases the accuracy of bankable resource assessments. Improving the accuracy of the initial assessment, ensures that investment is scaled appropriately, but it also ensures that assets are less likely to ‘underperform’ against positively biased initial assessments. Delivering this data through a scalable API directly into workbooks makes these assessments faster and more efficient, enabling more detailed analysis of multiple sites or design approaches, and repeated analysis after the fact or as designs change. For operational solar assets, satellite-based irradiance data can streamline resource allocation, improve power management decisions, and bolster overall financial health. For operators and managers, it can help to optimise dispatch strategies, manage curtailment risks, avoid regulatory forecast penalties, and maximise annual revenues.

Irradiance data is also vital for monitoring and analytics, as software platforms used for solar plants need a reliable baseline

of their expected generation. Commonly, pyranometers are used in utility scale assets large enough to justify their cost, generally 2 MW and above. However, these devices come with their own requirements, such as ongoing maintenance and monitoring to manage drift and account for errors and faults. As a solution, satellite data is ideal for quality-controlling pyranometers and gap-filling when there are faults. In addition, a growing number of commercial and industrial and microgrid projects are being developed without pyranometers, while distributed solar assets require collective tracking and monitoring. In these cases, satellite data can validate performance remotely, and across multiple sites offers accuracy equal to or greater than that provided by fleets of pyranometers.

The proliferation of residential PV also means network operators need precise solar forecasting data to maintain grid stability. South Australia is a prime example, where rooftop solar can (and increasingly does) meet the state’s entire electricity demand for hours at a time. Astronomical events can also pose complex challenges for renewable-heavy power grids (Figure 5).

In the US, the total solar eclipse in April 2024 resulted in a loss of more than 39.9 GWh of national solar capacity over two hours (Figures 6 – 9). Not only did the eclipse reduce electricity supply by diminishing output from solar farms and residential rooftops, but it also increased demand as many homes with rooftop solar panels began drawing power from the grid. Detailed irradiance forecasting allowed grid operators to anticipate this shortfall and replace solar production with alternatives, including natural gas, batteries, and pumped hydro. While astronomical events like this

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are simple to forecast, grids are affected by weather every day and require the same detailed forecasts to manage the impacts with equal effectiveness.

The value of using the right solar data With global solar installations projected to reach 500 GW a year by 2040, embracing a digital, data-driven approach is critical to staying ahead of the curve. Ongoing enhancements to weather satellites and Solcast’s multi-layered weather models have greatly enriched the quality of irradiance data – and there is a continued use of artificial intelligence to augment the scale and capabilities of its models.

Today, Solcast’s data is used by more than 350 companies globally that support or manage over 300 GW of solar PV assets. Its API delivers data directly to the code notebooks, workflows, and platforms being used across a broad range of applications, including project financing and development, asset management, energy trading, and grid monitoring. The company is also excited that most of those customers are using multiple sources of data, including other weather data sources, as the best data is that which is supported by other independent analysis.

Utilising reliable irradiance data is vital to driving the efficiency and scale needed for solar PV to become one of the world’s dominant power sources. Ultimately, companies across the solar industry that adopt a technology-first mindset gain more than a competitive advantage – they directly contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable energy sector.

Dr Evgenia Golysheva, Vice President of Strategy and Marketing, ONYX Insight, UK, looks at ways to close the green skills gap within the wind industry.

NAVIGATING THE WINDS OF CHANGE A

s global ambitions towards net zero accelerate, academics and industry professionals alike have identified concerns over a workforce shortage within the wind industry. Recent reports from the Offshore wind Industry Council (OWIC) indicate that more than 70 000 additional workers will be required within the UK’s offshore wind sector by 2030 to manage the expected project pipeline.1

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The rapid growth of the renewable sector presents exciting opportunities for employment and professional growth across a whole range of disciplines from engineering technicians to data scientists, across finance and the supply chain, to name just a few. The sector is still relatively new and there is a definite buzz around innovation and problem-solving with all players working towards the same goal – to develop a sustainable,

profitable, and competitive energy source for the world.

However, at present, approximately only 1/8th of the global workforce possesses green skills. Additionally, the growth in this pool of workers, which is estimated to be around 9% annually, is failing to meet the ever-growing demand.2 The specialised nature of roles required in the design, installation and maintenance of wind turbines has meant that sector growth has

outpaced the availability of skilled professionals. With the UK’s ageing workforce, experienced technicians and engineers are approaching retirement, and a shortage of qualified individuals entering the field is hindering the transfer of knowledge and threatening the sustainability of the industry’s workforce.

Additionally, the geographic distribution of wind projects poses logistical challenges. Wind farms are

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often established in remote locations with limited access to infrastructure and urban amenities. For personnel, this involves working in often harsh environmental conditions. This can mean relocation or significant travel for construction teams or technicians responsible for ongoing maintenance, making the career path look less attractive. Research has also indicated regional differences. ONYX Insight, a global predictive analytics solution provider, identified in its latest report that on average,

it is easier to hire wind professionals in Germany compared to the UK, with Brexit an undeniable contributing factor.3 Many have pointed to the reskilling of oil and gas workers as the potential saving grace for the renewable industries. While many traditional energy companies look to transition from fossil fuels and bolster their renewable expertise this is a seemingly straightforward approach. However, in practice there are many challenges to achieve successful reskilling. The oil and gas sectors remain necessary with no signs of immediate decline, and even with transferable skills, there is still a clear need for comprehensive training to manage this transition seamlessly.

There is no doubt about the attractiveness and growing importance of the renewable sector, so how can the transition be accelerated?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to upskilling, recruiting and retaining this necessary workforce. A combination of skill transfer initiatives will be key in taking engineers, physicists, software developers, and data scientists with experience in other industries and turning them into vital experts with the capabilities to support renewable development. The adoption of digital solutions will also be vital for upskilling existing personnel and accelerating the training of those new to the industry. Such technologies offer a scalable and efficient means to prepare a workforce capable of navigating the evolving landscape of renewable energy.

Creating sustainable pathways Apprenticeships and skills transfer initiatives are crucial gateways into the renewable industry, creating a new generation of energy professionals with the knowledge required to drive projects across sectors including wind. These programmes also serve to future-proof the renewable sector, by providing development opportunities and pathways to specialist positions which ensure a healthy talent intake in the future.

SME’s will play a fundamental role in this process. Through Figure 1. The company designed its ‘Wind Academy’ training the UK government’s apprenticeship levy, organisations with an programme for those inexperienced to the industry and seeking to annual pay bill of under £3 million can receive funding of up to improve their wind turbine asset knowledge.

95% of costs related to training and assessing an apprentice.

This delivers significant support by lessening the financial burden to onboard new team members and providing on-the-job training alongside more experienced staff members.

Recognising the cruciality of the skills gap, many businesses are also taking matters into their own hands by developing in-house training schemes to ensure they are developing a pipeline of talent which meets the demands of their customers. ONYX Insight designed its ‘Wind Academy’ training programme for those Figure 2. Providing access to real-time data and performance metrics reduces the need for routine inexperienced to the industry and in-person inspections and enables asset health visibility for up to 18 months in the future. seeking to improve their wind

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turbine asset knowledge. Through a mix of practical sessions and supporting theory, the course provides attendees with the knowledge and tools to identify and understand the failure modes experienced by the major components of wind turbines.

Across Europe, the US, and Asia Pacific, the Academy takes place several times a year, with the option for customers to request tailored training within their own facilities. The course actively addresses current industry challenges with turbine reliability, ensuring it builds a workforce which has a deep understanding of these issues, and have the knowledge to support them.

According to the International Energy Agency, renewables are set to contribute 80% of new power generation capacity to 2030 under new policy settings. Increasing awareness of the sector among school and university leavers is incredibly important with many great initiatives already underway.

Facilitating partnerships between academia and industry to align educational curricula with the needs of the renewable energy sector in another way to bring more trained professionals to the sector. Collaboration between universities, research institutions, and companies can lead to the development of relevant coursework, research projects and industry-sponsored initiatives. Implementing initiatives to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the renewable energy workforce is another route to consider. Organisations should, and indeed must, do more to actively recruit and support under-represented groups in a sector that remains male-dominated.

Investment in supporting technology is also a key element in reducing the burden on technical training. Virtual and augmented reality tools can prove useful in both upskilling existing staff and knowledge transfer from other sectors.

Through the latest advancements, simulated environments can be utilised to expose trainees to a range of operating conditions in a controlled manner. These may include dangerous or high-risk circumstances, delivering significant safety benefits.

This means immersive learning experiences can be created, accelerating the onboarding process.

The role of digital technologies The wind industry in particular has undergone a technological transformation in recent years, and the digitalisation of wind farms can prove crucial to solving the emerging skills gap issue.

Through the deployment of digital technologies to drive efficiency improvements, the need for an upskilled workforce can be significantly reduced. Predictive maintenance strategies, using condition monitoring systems (CMS) actively prevent unplanned downtime and costly manpower by arming operators with live health diagnostics of their assets, which is vital in early identification of turbine component faults.

This allows for the implementation of appropriate proactive operation and maintenance strategies, which optimise fleet productivity and boost profitability.

ONYX Insight’s own research has found on average, a 100 MW wind farm can produce 200 false alerts per year, resulting in approximately US$200 000 in technician labour costs, transport to turbines and lost revenue during downtime.

However, high-quality predictive maintenance using advanced analytics can reduce those false alerts by 93%.

Optimising labour-intensive scheduled maintenance activities presents another significant opportunity for improvement. The company has developed several software tools and has worked with many utilities and independent power producers (IPPs) to streamline scheduled maintenance activities leveraging operational data and ultimately increasing number of turbines that can be successfully maintained by a single technical team.

By harnessing the power of data analytics, remote monitoring, and advanced algorithms, many operations can be centralised, not only reducing requirements for additional headcount, but also enabling economies of scale and making a significant contribution to reduction of levelized cost of energy (LCOE). At the same time, holistic predictive maintenance tools empower wind farm operators to make informed decisions.

Providing access to real-time data and performance metrics reduces the need for routine in-person inspections and enables asset health visibility for up to 18 months in the future. This proven technology reduces the demand on skilled personnel by allowing advanced planning of any engineering or maintenance requirements. Additionally, these technologies can reduce the number of turbine climbs required per engineer as part of routine checks, ultimately increasing the number of turbines supported per person.

The future is bright The skills shortage is not unique to the renewable sector as almost every industry has faced similar challenges at some point. In fact, the unique advantage held by renewable energy is the enormous potential for growth and development. The opportunity to shape and develop the entire industry that will be fundamental to the energy future does not come around too often. Working with like-minded individuals who are looking for new ways to build, ship, finance, and operate renewable assets is very rewarding. The growth of the renewable sector coincides with the growth of digital technologies offering additional opportunities for scale, innovation and collaboration worldwide.

While there is no doubt that more formal collaborative efforts must be taken to create pathways into the renewable sector, particularly given the projected growth expected across both the on and offshore wind industries in the coming years, this is a short-term challenge driven by sector growth outpacing education programs and general awareness. SME skills initiatives and development opportunities can take inspiration, but to create the reach and depth of early engagement required, partnerships across both the public and private sectors will need to be forged.

Fundamentally, the sector is strong and attractive to early career apprentices and university leavers as well as experienced professionals looking to make more meaningful contribution to energy transition and efforts to address climate change.

References 1.

2.

3.

‘Over 100 000 offshore wind jobs by 2030 with decision action on skills’, Offshore Wind Industry Council, (14 June 2023), https://www.owic.org.uk/news/over-100%2C000offshore-wind-jobs-by-2030-with-decisive-action-on-skills [accessed: 2 April 2024].

CARLIN. D., ‘Navigating the green skill revolution: Your roadmap’, Forbes, (16 January 2024), [accessed 6 February 2023].

‘Everchanging winds: The state of wind in 2024 and beyond’, ONYX Insight, https://onyxinsight.com/whitepapers/everchanging-winds/ [accessed: 8 February 2024].

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Figure 1. Soltec trackers at a photovoltaic (PV) plant in Chile.

Sergio López, General Manager of Soltec, Spain, explores how new technology and innovation in renewable energy will help create a greener future.

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enewable energies are undergoing an exponential phase of technological development, aiming to compete both productively and economically with traditional energy sources. The support of European policies establishing standards and regulations favouring investment in more efficient and environmentally-friendly technologies, while also supporting the creation of more competitive and dynamic energy markets, is of

ENERGY GLOBAL SUMMER 2024

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paramount importance for achieving a rapid and optimal energy transition.

In order to achieve the targets set for 2030 by the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, implementing renewable energies, and improving energy efficiency, it is crucial for the sector to continue evolving and reinventing itself. This will also ensure future consumers’ access to energy produced from renewable sources, a principle outlined in the current EU energy policy framework with the aim of increasing the share of renewable energies in final energy consumption to 42.5%, with the goal of reaching 45% by the same year.

Figure 2. SF7 Bifacial tracker by Soltec.

Figure 3. Soltec trackers at a PV plant in Brazil.

Through innovation, creative and disruptive solutions are sought to address the social and environmental challenges faced by the energy sector through the launch of new products, services, processes, or business models.

Innovation thus emerges as a powerful tool for driving change and generating a positive, sustainable, and responsible impact, while also influencing price reduction and providing competitiveness in the market.

Companies that dedicate resources to R&D play a fundamental role in advancing the energy sector and socio-economic development.

The photovoltaic sector as a fast track to energy transition The photovoltaic (PV) sector is at a pivotal moment on the path to decarbonisation, characterised by successful advances and technological developments that position it as the fastest route to increasing the presence of renewable sources in the Spanish and European energy systems: it is reliable, easy to install, and requires minimal maintenance effort. According to data from the International Renewable Energy Agency, PV solar energy will constitute the second most important source of electricity generation by 2050 – second only to wind energy – and will pave the way for the transformation of the global electricity sector. Solar energy would generate one-quarter of the total electricity needed globally, making it one of the most important generation sources by 2050. First-generation technologies remain the main driver of solar sector development and still hold the majority of market value.

Some limitations of the PV sector include energy loss due to heating. Research and development of new materials and designs play a fundamental role in overcoming current challenges and optimising solar light capture while minimising energy losses. Furthermore, the integration of solar technologies into urban areas and structures is also experiencing expansion, allowing for greater utilisation of solar energy and contributing to addressing other sector challenges such as demand reduction. These innovations aim to improve solar energy generation sustainably and promote the transition to an economy based entirely on 100% green energy.

Improving solar productivity

Figure 4. Soltec trackers at a PV plant in Spain.

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Soltec, a Spanish company specialising in PV projects with solar trackers, is committed to designing and creating its products with the aim of maximising solar energy generation efficiency while simultaneously seeking significant cost reductions. To achieve this, Soltec has launched numerous projects through its innovation department focusing on continuous improvement of the productivity of its solar trackers, among other innovative initiatives.

The company recently announced a new solar tracker tailored for large scale projects, marking a milestone in solar tracking efficiency and reliability. The new SFOneX tracker boasts a span of up to 125 m, making it the largest dual-row system in Soltec’s range.

The new product has a self-powered system, which includes a dedicated panel and ensures autonomous operation for up to four days without sunlight as a result of a long-lasting battery.

Its design is primarily committed to cost-effective installation and operation. Its double rows connected by a flexible transmission axis halve the number of motors and reducers. Additionally, this tracker features a reduced number of foundation piles, pre-assembled sets, and standardised components, which help reduce long-term operational and maintenance costs.

Providing versatility to trackers in land use is crucial, both for maximising solar light utilisation and for protecting installations against adverse weather phenomena. Soltec has adapted this new tracker to slopes of up to 15% both north-south and east-west, ensuring optimal land use and simplifying the installation process through direct piling technique.

SFOneX integrates advanced technologies, including TeamTrack, a system that allows for capturing up to 7% more energy, and the Diffuse Booster algorithm, which optimises the capture of diffuse radiation, even on cloudy days, using advanced sensors and weather forecasting. It also includes Dy-WIND technology, which protects the plant from wind and other adverse phenomena and its algorithm against hail.

Advances such as these are crucial for driving the adoption and deployment of large scale solar energy, thus contributing to the transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy system.

Other innovative initiatives Soltec has carried out a series of pioneering projects aimed at driving and leading the energy transition. Among them, initiatives such as the development of green hydrogen technologies and innovative energy storage systems stand out. These efforts not only seek to boost the competitiveness and efficiency of the company, but are also aimed at catalysing significant change in the Spanish energy landscape, positioning the company as a key player in building a cleaner and more robust energy future.

The company aims to continue exploring the future of energy by researching the full potential of hydrogen. Its green hydrogen laboratory, inaugurated in 2023, seeks to refine hydrogen production using carbon-free methods, such as clean energy-driven water electrolysis. The opening of this centre reaffirms the firm’s commitment to innovation and becomes an important strategic resource for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and ending greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, it marks a milestone for the company and the future of clean energy production, ushering in a new era in the energy revolution.

In conclusion, Soltec’s vision remains to lead by example in sustainability in the energy sector. Continuous improvement in its products, strong investment in research and development, and its sustainability-oriented business model contribute significantly to creating an environment of environmental commitment among the companies that make up the sector, inspiring them through its example.

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WIND

GLOBAL NEWS TenneT commences cable production for offshore wind platforms

The Crown Estate launches Supply Chain Accelerator

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roduction at LS Cable in Donghae, South Korea, has started. The new cables with a voltage of 525 kV raise the transmission capacity for offshore wind energy to a new voltage level. They make it possible to transmit 2 GW of direct current over long distances with low losses. Up to now, 320 kV cables have been used for offshore grid connections, for example in TenneT’s 900 MW projects.

The start of cable production is part of the framework agreement that TenneT concluded with the consortium consisting of the Jan De Nul Group, LS Cable & Systems and Denys in May 2023. The contract covers the production and installation of four 525 kV DC cable systems for the TenneT grid connection projects in the North Sea. The first DC cables produced by the South Korean cable manufacturer, LS Cable, are intended for the BalWin4 and LanWin1 grid connection projects.

In addition to a positive and negative pole, an additional cable – a so-called metallic return conductor – will be laid for both grid connections in future, which will ensure that electricity can continue to flow in the event of maintenance or repair work. The three cables will be supplemented by an additional communication cable.

A total of 1650 km of cable will be produced for the BalWin4 and LanWin1 projects (route length per project: 275 km, of which 165 km are submarine cables and 110 km are land cables).

Production of the cables will be completed in 2028.

Cable laying at sea is expected to begin in 2H26.

he UK’s offshore wind industry is set to benefit from increased early-stage investment in its supply chain through the launch of The Crown Estate’s Supply Chain Accelerator.

The accelerator is a new £50 million fund created to accelerate and de-risk the early-stage development of projects linked to offshore wind, helping to grow and nurture the UK’s domestic supply chain.

An initial £10 million round of funding is now open for Expressions of Interest for businesses looking to establish UK projects that could support the development of a new UK supply chain capability for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea. The Accelerator’s first £10 million funding round will be geared towards projects specifically looking to address some of these opportunities, helping to kick-start projects by providing matched funding of up to £1 million for early-stage development expenditure. The Crown Estate will look for the option to participate in the capital investment phase.

Following the deployment of the first £10 million round of funding, a further £40 million has been earmarked that could potentially be deployed to support UK projects that meet the opportunities identified by the Industrial Growth Plan which was launched by RenewableUK and industry partners including The Crown Estate in April, setting out the actions required to triple offshore wind manufacturing capacity over the next 10 years.

Deep Wind Offshore and Ellevio collaborate on offshore wind power

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eep Wind Offshore and Ellevio have entered a long-term partnership to connect offshore wind power to the grid. The goal is to accelerate the energy transition in Sweden and meet the increasing energy demand.

Deep Wind Offshore, an international developer of offshore wind power, has partnered with Ellevio, one of Sweden’s largest energy companies. Through this partnership, the companies will combine Deep Wind Offshore’s global expertise in offshore wind power with Ellevio’s role as a grid owner and operator to

54 ENERGY GLOBAL SUMMER 2024

jointly develop and operate projects.

The collaboration aims to explore new models for onshore and offshore grids and new solutions that can accelerate climate adaptation for industrial customers.

The primary focus of the collaboration is Olof Skötkonung, an offshore wind farm in the Gulf of Bothnia, located 53 km northeast of Gävle. The park is planned to include 70 wind turbines with the capacity to produce up to 7.5 TWh annually, which corresponds to a significant portion of the region’s electricity needs.

SOLAR

GLOBAL NEWS Bechtel-built Cutlass Solar 2 generates energy at full capacity

ACCIONA Energía starts operations at Red-Tailed Hawk PV plant

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he Bechtel-built Cutlass Solar 2 project in Fort Bend, Texas, is complete and generating electricity at full capacity for the first time, sending enough clean, renewable energy to the grid to power 40 000 homes – a milestone that comes ahead of the 13-month delivery schedule.

The 218 MW solar facility delivered for Sabanci Climate Technologies comprises almost 500 000 solar panels spanning 1100 acres.

The project will save an estimated 600 000 tpy of carbon dioxide emissions.

Cutlass Solar 2 is the second solar facility in Texas built by Bechtel, which completed the neighbouring Cutlass Solar 1 plant in January 2023. In total, Cutlass Solar 1 and Cutlass Solar 2 will power more than 60 000 homes across Texas.

To meet the project’s ambitious schedule, Bechtel employed data-driven automation, survey robots, machine-controlled equipment, drones, and a mindset that ‘every minute matters.’ Bechtel’s first-of-a-kind digital execution hub used at Cutlass Solar 2 enabled 100% digital delivery through software integration. The hub gathers data directly from equipment in the field and feeds the data into an interactive map-based visualisation.

At peak construction, more than 300 people were employed on the site. Approximately 30% of Bechtel’s professional staff and 15% of the project’s craft professionals were women, representing two and a half times the industry average.

CCIONA Energía has started operations at the Red-Tailed Hawk photovoltaic plant, located near Houston in Wharton County, Texas. With a capacity of 458 MWp, it is the company’s largest solar complex built to date.

Red-Tailed Hawk joins ACCIONA Energía’s existing portfolio of renewable energy projects in North America, where it now has 2.7 GW installed, and reinforces its position as a key player in the country’s energy transition.

In addition, the company is building a 280 MW wind farm in Forty Mile County, Alberta (Canada) and Union Solar, a 325 MWp photovoltaic plant in Ohio (the US).

The new facility features solar panels affixed to solar trackers that follow the sun’s path, maximising sunlight exposure and production. It will generate 742 GWh of clean electricity per year, equivalent to the consumption of around 66 500 Texas households, and avoid the emission of approximately 430 000 tpy of carbon dioxide.

The project falls under ACCIONA Energía’s Social Impact Management programme, which reallocates a portion of its annual revenue to support local community initiatives in education, wellness, and environmental stewardship.

Beyond its contribution to decarbonisation, Red-Tailed Hawk has generated employment opportunities, creating approximately 400 jobs during the peak construction phase, and sustaining up to 15 permanent positions.

Diary dates The smarter E Europe 2024 19 – 21 June 2024 Munich, Germany www.thesmartere.de/home

Solar & Storage Live Zurich 17 – 18 September 2024 Zürich, Switzerland www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/solar-storage-live-zurich

World Energy Transition Virtual Conference 2024 05 September 2024 Online www.accelevents.com/e/worldenergytransition2024

Solar & Storage Live Birmingham 24 – 26 September 2024 Birmingham, UK www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/solar-storage-live

RE+ 24 09 – 12 September 2024 California, USA www.re-plus.com

WindEnergy Hamburg 24 – 27 September 2024 Hamburg, Germany www.windenergyhamburg.com

ENERGY GLOBAL SUMMER 2024

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ENERGY STORAGE

GLOBAL NEWS Mauritius inaugurates BESS

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n line with the government’s vision to promote renewable energy in the electricity mix to 60% by 2030, a 20 MW grid scale battery energy storage system (BESS), has been inaugurated in the presence of the Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Georges Pierre Lesjongard, at the Amaury Sub-station.

The 20 MW BESS is in line with the government’s policy to encourage the use of Renewable Energy and clean energy in view to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030.

The 20 MW BESS, to the tune of Rs 700 million, was supplied, installed, and commissioned by SIEMENS France, a world leader in industrial electrical and electronic systems including utility scale battery storage.

The 18 MW BESS comprise the latest lithium ion, high efficiency battery module technology with an extremely low response time of less than 20 msecs. They adopt the ‘containerised’ format, that is, they are enclosed in standard size, but customised (mainly in terms of wall structure, sound and weather proofing and reinforcements) containers.

ArcLight and Elevate announce New York City’s largest battery storage project to date

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rcLight Capital Partners and Elevate Renewables, a leading battery storage developer, have announced a milestone battery storage infrastructure project at the Arthur Kill Power Station in Staten Island, New York. The 15 MW/60 MWh distribution-level project will help provide more renewable power by replacing existing generation planned to retire in 2025. Elevate is a wholly owned subsidiary of a fund managed by ArcLight.

Once completed, the project will be the largest battery storage installation in New York City. The facility will be able to power more than 10 000 households during peak demand periods.

Elevate Renewables has completed contracting to construct a state-of-the-art battery storage facility to store power during non-peak hours and discharge power during peak demand periods, as well as to provide ancillary services that help maintain grid stability and resiliency.

56 ENERGY GLOBAL SUMMER 2024

RWE to build Australia’s first eight-hour battery

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eading global renewables player, RWE, has announced its investment decision to build Australia’s first eight-hour battery near Balranald, in New South Wales (NSW). RWE’s eight-hour lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) was the only successful project in New South Wales’ first Long Duration Storage Long-Term Energy Service Agreements tender process, and was awarded a Long-Term Energy Service Agreement.

With a planned capacity of 50+ MW and 400+ MWh, the Limondale BESS will support the energy transition by storing excess renewable energy and feeding it into the NSW grid when it is needed most. The project will be located next to RWE’s 249 MWac Limondale solar farm – which is one of Australia’s largest. The BESS will connect to existing grid infrastructure.

Tesla has been selected as the BESS supplier, and Beon Energy Solutions as the delivery partner for the Balance of Plant, which includes the civil, structural, electrical, and control works required to connect the Megapack to the existing 33 kV substation. Construction is scheduled to start in 2H24, with commissioning planned for late 2025.

THE RENEWABLES REWIND >

Additional exploration permit application for geothermal energy accepted for Whitebark Energy

>

IHA and CISPDR Corp. sign MoU to push forward sustainable hydropower

>

CIP and partners to develop and operate Danish biogas plant Follow our website and social media pages for more updates, industry news, and technical articles.

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GREEN HYDROGEN

GLOBAL NEWS

TE H2 Partners with VERBUND on a green hydrogen project in Tunisia

Ohmium to provide electrolysers for Croatian green hydrogen project

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E H2, a joint venture between TotalEnergies and EREN Groupe, together with VERBUND, Austria’s leading electricity company, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Republic of Tunisia to study the implementation of a large green hydrogen project named ‘H2 Notos’ for export to Central Europe through pipelines.

H2 Notos aims to produce green hydrogen using electrolysers powered by large onshore wind and solar projects and supplied with desalinated sea water. The project aims to produce 200 000 tpy of green hydrogen during its initial phase, with the potential to scale up production to 1 million tpy in South Tunisia.

The project will have access to the European market through the ‘SoutH2 Corridor’, a hydrogen pipeline project connecting North Africa to Italy, Austria, and Germany, which is expected to be commissioned around 2030.

TE H2, together with VERBUND, will be leading the development, financing, construction, and operation of the integrated project from production of green electricity to production of green hydrogen. In addition, VERBUND will coordinate the transport of the produced hydrogen towards Central Europe.

hmium International, a leading green hydrogen company that designs, manufactures, and deploys advanced Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysers, has announced that it was selected to equip the first green hydrogen project in Croatia. Ohmium was selected to serve as the PEM electrolyser supplier for IVICOM, a leading Croatian engineering and construction company, on a project to build a 10 MW green hydrogen plant at the INA Rijeka Refinery.

The project will pair Ohmium’s PEM electrolysers with a new solar power plant to produce green hydrogen to help decarbonise INA’s Rijeka Refinery and supply sustainable fuel for Croatia’s growing transportation market. The green hydrogen project and affiliated solar plant are supported by the Croatian government’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, which incorporates measures to improve the sustainability and diversity of EU members’ energy supplies. The project also advances Croatia’s National Hydrogen strategy goals, which are to install 70 MW of hydrogen production facilities by 2030, and ramp up to 2750 MW by 2050, to help achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

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