Scotland’s Largest Offshore Wind Farm Stands Complete
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
The final turbine has been installed at Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm, Seagreen, off the coast of Angus.
These two paragraphs describe the wind farm.
Once fully operational, the Seagreen project, owned by TotalEnergies and SSE Renewables, will reach almost 1.6 GW.
76 of the 114 Vestas V164-10.0 MW turbines are now energised at the site, which is located 27 kilometres from the Angus coast.
The article also says, that the units are now producing more than two-thirds of Seagreen’s full capacity power to the grid.
It seems like the Seagreen wind farm has got off to a good start.
30 MW Offshore Wind Turbines Being Considered For New Project In Sweden
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
Freja Offshore, a joint venture between Hexicon and Mainstream Renewable Power, has submitted an application for an offshore wind farm in Sweden that could have an installed capacity of between 2 GW and 2.5 GW and, according to the project’s consultation document, could feature wind turbines of up to 30 MW per unit.
This paragraph, indicates how turbines have grown over the last two decades.
The wind turbines in the future will probably be taller, the rotor diameter larger and the turbines more powerful, the joint venture says in the consultation document, and compares the largest wind turbines launched in 2011, which have a rotor diameter of 164 metres and an installed capacity of 8 MW, with those launched 10 years later, featuring a rotor diameter of 236 metres and an output of 15 MW.
Moving on a few years to 2030 and it doesn’t seem unreasonable that turbine size will double again to 30 MW.
I could see them becoming the standard turbine, providing they aren’t too heavy for the fixed foundations or floats.
It would be an interesting exercise to model the costs of wind farms, as the turbines get bigger.
With North Sea oil and gas, I was told several times, by Artemis users, that as cranes got larger, which allowed bigger lifts, the costs of offshore infrastructure decreased.
Note.
New Rolls-Royce Small Engine Set To Begin Tests To Advance Hybrid-Electric Flight
The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from Rolls-Royce.
These are the first two paragraphs.
Rolls-Royce today announces its new small gas turbine that has been specifically developed to power hybrid-electric flight is set to begin testing. The engine is part of a turbogenerator system that is being developed for the Advanced Air Mobility market. This includes electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) Aircraft for Urban Air Mobility and Commuter Aircraft applications up to 19 seats.
The turbogenerator system will complement the Rolls-Royce Electrical propulsion portfolio by delivering an on-board power source with scalable power offerings between 500kW and 1200kW enabling extended range on sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and later, as it becomes available, through hydrogen combustion. This will open up new, longer routes than electric battery powered aircraft can support as of today.
The press release also lays out these design targets.
- Power – 600-1200 kW
- Voltage – 850 Volts
- Power to Weight Ratio – 4 kW/Kg
- Noise – 62 dbA
- Specific Fuel Consumption v in-service products – 15% better
- MTBO – 10,000 cycles
- Length – 1,500 mm.
- Diameter – < 500 mm.
Note.
- At first look, it appears to be small and powerful.
- If they can meet the Power to Weight Ratio of 4 kW/Kg, this would mean that a 1200 kW engine will weigh just 300 Kg.
- The engine has been designed to run on sustainable aviation fuel and hydrogen.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see this engine used in non-aviation applications.
Grain LNG Launches Market Consultation For Existing Capacity
The title of this post is the same as that of this press release from National Grid.
This is the sub-heading.
Grain LNG, the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Europe, is pleased to announce the launch of a market consultation for the auction of 375 Gwh/d (approx. 9 mtpa) of existing capacity. The initial consultation phase for the Auction of Existing Capacity will commence on 14 June and run until 26 July.
These paragraphs detail what Grain LNG, which is a subsidiary of National Grid are offering.
GLNG has used the positive feedback received from the recent ‘Expression of Interest’ exercise and subsequent market engagement to offer three lots of capacity:
- Each lot will be entitled to 42 berthing slots, 200,000 m3 of storage and 125GWh/d (approx. 3 mtpa) of regasification capacity from as early as January 2029.
- This product is specifically designed for parties who wish to acquire a substantial stake in a major terminal in Northwest Europe, at a reduced cost and with shorter contract lengths when compared to new-build projects.
- As the terminal’s capacity already exists, parties involved will not be subjected to the FID approvals or potential delays that can arise from construction issues commonly associated with new build terminals.
Simon Culkin, Importation Terminal Manager at Grain LNG, said: “We are really pleased with the high level of interest shown by the market at a time of significant geo-political influence on our energy markets. It has allowed us to engage with potential customers and shape our offering to best meet their needs, whilst optimising access to this strategic asset. “
Reading the Wikipedia entry for the Grain LNG Terminal, it looks like it gets used as a handy store for natural gas.
About Phase 1 (2002–05), Wikipedia says this.
The new facilities enabled the Grain terminal to become a base supply to the NTS, with the ability to deliver gas continuously when required. The cost of the Phase 1 project was £130m. A 20-year contract with BP / Sonatrach enabled Grain LNG to import LNG on a long-term basis from July 2005.
About Phase 2 (2005–08), Wikipedia says this.
The development provided an additional five million tonnes of capacity per annum. All this capacity was contracted out from December 2010. Customers included BP, Iberdrola, Sonatrach, Centrica, E.ON and GDF Suez.
Under Current Facilities, Wikipedia says this.
Grain LNG Ltd does not own the LNG or the gas that it handles but charges for gasifying it. Current (2016) users include BP, Centrica (British Gas Trading), Iberdrola (Spain), Sonatrach (Algeria), Engie (France), and Uniper (Germany).
National Grid must be pleased that some customers seem loyal.
I feel that National Grid’s basic plan is to carry on with more of the same.
But will they develop more storage and other facilities on the site.
There are certainly other projects and interconnectors, that make the Isle of Grain and energy hub connecting the UK, Netherlands and Germany.
- In Did I See The UK’s Hydrogen-Powered Future In Hull Today?, I mentioned, that I thought that the Isle of Grain could be a location for an electrolyser and a hydrogen store.
- In EuroLink, Nautilus And Sea Link, I talk about new interconnectors, if which Nautilus might come to the Isle of Grain.
- In UK-German Energy Link Reaches Financial Close, I talk about NeuConnect, which will be an interconnector between the Isle of Grain ans Wilhelmshaven in Germany.
- The Isle of Grain is the landing point for the BritNed undersea power cable between The Netherlands and the UK.
I could also see National Grid building an East Coast interconnector to bring power from the wind farms off the East Coast of England to the Isle of Grain for distribution.
These are major wind farms South of the Humber.
- Dudgeon – 402 MW
- East Anglia 1 – 714 MW
- East Anglia 1 North – 800 MW
- East Anglia 2 – 900 MW
- Galloper – 504 MW – RWE
- Greater Gabbard – 504 MW
- Gunfleet Sands – 174 MW
- Hornsea 1 – 1218 MW
- Hornsea 2 – 1386 MW
- Hornsea 3 – 2852 MW
- Humber Gateway – 219 MW
- Lincs – 270 MW
- London Array – 630 MW
- Lynn and Inner Dowsing – 194 MW
- Race Bank – 580 MW
- Scroby Sands – 60 MW
- Sheringham Shoal – 317 MW
- Triton Knoll – 857 MW – RWE
- Dogger Bank A – 1235 MW
- Dogger Bank B – 1235 MW
- Dogger Bank C – 1218 MW
- Dogger Bank D – 1320 MW
- Dogger Bank South – 3000 MW RWE
- East Anglia 3 – 1372 MW
- Norfolk Boreas – 1396 MW
- Norfolk Vanguard – 1800 MW
- Outer Dowsing – 1500 MW
- North Falls – 504 MW – RWE
- Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon Extensions – 719 MW
- Five Estuaries – 353 MW – RWE
Note.
- These figures give a total capacity of 28,333 MW.
- Five wind farms marked RWE are owned by that company.
- These five wind farms have a total capacity of 5618 MW.
- Will RWE export, their electricity to Germany through NeuConnect?
I can certainly see National Grid building one of the world’s largest electrolysers and some energy storage on the Isle of Grain, if an East Coast Interconnector is built.
SSE Renewables Calls For More Use Of Non-Price Criteria In Offshore Wind Auctions
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
SSE Renewables is calling on European governments and regulators and internationally to make greater use of non-price criteria (NPC) in offshore wind energy auctions, whether for seabed or for contracts for difference (CfD).
This is the first paragraph.
The renewable energy company said that the use of non-price criteria in auctions for new offshore wind can help support a sustainable renewable energy sector that delivers long-term value for society.
This document on the SSE Renewables web site is entitled Non-Price Criteria In Renewables Auctions and these are the points from the Executive Summary from the document.
- Use of non-price criteria (NPC) in auctions is important to deliver renewables projects which are deliverable, on time and on budget, and provide long term value to society and the environment.
- NPC must be well-designed, carefully implemented, with transparent assessment and monitoring of commitments to avoid overcomplication and risk of legal challenges.
- Seabed leasing auctions for offshore wind are best suited for use of NPC, as it is early enough in the development stage for commitments to be delivered; and avoids having to rely on purely financial bidding which risks adding to the cost of offshore wind.
- The most appropriate NPC are track record and deliverability of projects. Beyond that, criteria related to sustainability (circularity; workforce and skills); ecological protection and enhancement; and supply chain development.
- NPC in new offshore wind markets should be focused on deliverability and track record, and included as a pre-requisite to participate, rather than a point of competition.
- More diverse non-price criteria are best suited to mature offshore wind markets where there will generally be more competition from developers to build a project.
- It is more complicated to apply non-price criteria into offtake (CfD) auctions, with re-ranking of bidders the best approach to properly incentivise the right behaviour.
- It is important that there is transparency of how successful bidders were scored against NPC; what commitments have been made and how they will be held accountable for delivery at different milestones.
Note.
- It is good to see phrases like “track record and deliverability of projects” being embedded in this list of points.
- As a designer of successful project management software, I know the importance of this.
- I believe, that SSE Renewables are right to desire wider criteria for offshore wind energy auctions.
I suspect too, that there are software ideas in my past, that would make the development of offshore wind easier and more predictable.
Shell And Eneco Joint Venture Looks To Build Greener Offshore Wind Farm
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
Ecowende, the joint venture (JV) of Shell and Eneco, has unveiled plans for building an offshore wind farm that will be in harmony with nature, with minimal impact on birds, bats, and marine mammals.
This is the first paragraph.
Ecowende, which presented its holistic approach at WindDay 2023, said it is going to implement various innovations, large-scale mitigating and stimulating ecological measures, and an extensive above and under-water monitoring and research programme.
This is all good stuff.
These two paragraphs outline some ideas that will be tried.
Specific measures include increasing the height of the lowest tip of the rotor blades, creating a corridor to Natura 2000 area by placing the turbines extra far apart, and an option to bring the turbines to a standstill that adapts to the flight movements of birds in the wind farm.
This way, Ecowende expects to minimise the number of bird and bat collisions.
The Natura 2000 areas are described in this web site.
Other innovative ideas are described in these two paragraphs.
Biodegradable reef structures are being constructed using fruit trees sourced from Dutch fruit farms. These tree reefs offer a place for fish to shelter and reproduce, according to the press release.
Ecowende said it will also install various forms of eco-friendly erosion protection and the oyster larvae network will be expanded to spread the native flat oyster population.
It certainly looks like Ecowende are making sure, that Just Stop Oil’s offshoot; Just Stop Wind doesn’t take root!
Climate Change: Y Bryn Wind Farm Aids Net Zero Aim – Developer
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
A new onshore wind farm could help Wales move towards its net zero target by 2050, say developers.
These two paragraphs outline the scheme.
But some local people called the Y Bryn plan between Port Talbot and Maesteg a “blight on the landscape”.
The plan, first proposed in 2021, now includes 18 turbines up to 250m (820ft), rather than the original 26.
I feel that we need to develop renewable energy all round the UK.
This project, is obviously felt by the developers to be a serious proposition, judging by the very professional web site.
Some places like the Midlands and the South of England are a long way from large offshore wind and nuclear developments, but Port Talbot and Maesteg may be close enough to planned offshore wind farms, that this wind farm may need not to be developed.
I shall be following this development.
UK Offshore Wind Pipeline Now At 98 GW, Second Only To China – Report
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
The UK’s pipeline of offshore wind projects has reached 97,944 MW, up from 91,287 MW a year ago, while the global pipeline topped 1.23 TWh, an increase of nearly 400 GW in the last year, according to RenewableUK’s latest EnergyPulse market intelligence data report.
These are the first two paragraphs.
The pipeline includes projects at every stage of development, including operational, under construction, consented, or planned.
The UK total pipeline was second globally at 98 GW, second only to China with 157 GW, followed by the USA in third place with 82 GW, Sweden is fourth with 75 MW, and Brazil fifth with 63 GW.
These is also a pie-chart saying in which part of the UK, wind energy is being developed.
- North Sea (Scotland) – 41,977 MW
- North Sea (England) – 33,845 MW
- Irish Sea – 8,659 MW
- North Atlantic Ocean – 7,435 MW
- Celtic Sea – 4,428 MW
- English Channel – 1,600 MW
As Cilla would say. “What a lorra, lorra lot of wind!”
Shine On – Centrica Opens Its First UK Solar Farm
The title of this post is the same as that of this press release from Centrica.
These are the bullet points.
- 18MW Codford Solar Farm in Wiltshire is Centrica’s first major solar asset
- Part of plans to build a material portfolio of low carbon assets
- Vodafone supports development with long term Power Purchase Agreement for 50% of the output over 10 years
- Additional renewable power supports the UK government’s ‘green grid’ ambitions
I have some thoughts.
Centrica’s First Major Solar Asset
These two paragraphs from the press release outline the project and indicate where it fits in Centrica’s overall philosophy.
Construction began at the site in Wiltshire in April 2022, after the consent was acquired by Centrica Business Solutions in 2021. Made up of 33,000 panels, the project has a total capacity of 18MW and should produce 19GWh of green electricity every year, enough to power some 4,850 homes.
The deal not only brings additional renewable power provision to the UK grid but supports the UK government’s ambition to focus on home-grown renewable energy to boost long-term energy independence and security.
My only reservation is at 18 MW it isn’t that large and the sun doesn’t always shine in the UK.
Centrica’s Portfolio Of Low Carbon Assets
This paragraph from the press release talks about the portfolio.
In late 2021, Centrica announced ambitions to deliver 900MW of low carbon assets by 2026. The company is currently building battery storage projects at former gas peaking plants at Brigg, Lincolnshire, Knapton, North Yorkshire, and Ostend in Belgium, and has developed a multi GW pipeline of projects.
Note that former gas power plants, usually have a very handy connection to the electricity grid.
900 MW would also rate at around the output of two typical gas-fired power stations.
Vodafone’s Power Purchase Agreement
Big companies like Vodafone seem to be increasingly signing Power Purchase Agreements for their renewable electricity. These must give advantages all round.
- The developer can take the purchaser’s deal to a bank and use it to raise capital for the project.
- The purchaser, in this case Vodafone can say that they use at least some zero-carbon electricity, which must help marketing.
- The bank knows that so long as the sun shines, there will be money flowing to the developer.
- The developer doesn’t have to deal with thousands of customers.
These three paragraphs from the press release outline Vodafone’s deal.
Vodafone will purchase half of the electricity output from the solar farm, helping to support its development and bringing additional renewable power provision to the UK Grid. Combined with agreements already in place, around 47% of the company’s annual energy requirement will come from UK-based renewable power sources by 2025.
The long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) will see approximately 9GWh of green electricity dedicated to Vodafone UK. The remainder will be sold into the national grid through Centrica’s Energy Marketing & Trading business.
The deal is the third PPA signed by Vodafone and Centrica Energy Marketing & Trading over the last year. In May 2022, Vodafone and Centrica announced a long-term PPA with MYTILINEOS S.A for the output from three solar farms in the UK. And, in February 2023, Vodafone committed to take a significant proportion of the output from a further five solar farms in one of the largest corporate solar PPAs to date.
It looks like, when Vodafone’s other solar farms are connected, they will be able to advertise as a zero-carbon company running on renewable electricity.
That sort of green advertising hasn’t hurt Lumo’s trains between London and Edinburgh.
Connecting Codford Solar Farm To The National Grid
This Google Map shows the location of the Codford Solar Farm.
Note.
- The solar panels marked with the red arrow.
- Codford Biogas in the South-West corner of the map.
- The site is surrounded with the fields of a large arable farm, that grows wheat, barley and oilseed rape.
- The site is also shielded by trees.
This second Google Map shows Codford Biogas.
According to their web site, Codford Biogas accept the widest range of food waste in southern England.
The home page describes waste collection, secure disposal and carbon reduction.
Their method of disposal uses anaerobic digestion, which is a complex biological process involving the breakdown of organic matter in the absence of air in large, sealed and insulated vessels with controlled heating and mixing.
The Wikipedia entry for anaerobic digestion describes the process in detail.
On their web site, there is a page, which is entitled What Is AD?, which has an interactive graphic describing the process at Codford.
Main products from the site include.
- 3.6 MW of electricity, which can be fed to the grid.
- Fertiliser, which can be spread directly on the surrounding arable land.
- Waste heat, which will be developed for businesses that need it.
Obviously, the electricity export will need a grid connection, which I suspect will also be used by the new solar farm.
Conclusion
It looks like Centrica have piggy-backed their solar farm on to an existing grid connection.
But it does look like connecting your solar farm to the grid through a power station that can operate continuously, helps to give a more continuous output.
I think we’ll see more of this!
Run Larger, Multi-Site Offshore Wind Tenders, French Energy Commission Recommends To Gov’t
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
The French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) has recommended that the government conducts larger offshore wind tenders, inviting bids for several sites. This is according to the latest update from CRE, which has now published specifications for the country’s AO5 tender for a floating wind farm in southern Brittany.
Looking at the building of large numbers of wind turbines and their fixed or floating foundations, I am drawn to the conclusion, that it might be better if all were as identical as possible.
I should also note, that we were very successful selling Artemis project management systems in France. Our manager in the country, said it was because all the country’s top managers had been to the same schools and universities and passed the best solutions around themselves.
So perhaps a standard solution appeals to the French psyche?
In the UK, BP are currently designing and planning these fixed foundation wind farms.
- Mona – 1500 MW – 35 m. depth – 30 km. offshore
- Morgan – 1500 MW – 35 m. depth – 30 km. offshore
- Morven – 2907 MW – 65-75 m. depth – 60 km. offshore
Given that Mona and Morgan are in the Irish Sea and Morven is North-East of Aberdeen, I wouldn’t be surprised to find that BP treat these three projects as two separate 3 GW projects, which could share the same turbine design and fixed foundation designs, that were very similar.
I’m sure BP would save money, if they used a similar design philosophy on all three projects.
The Anonymous Widower 