Europe goes Offshore with Wind Farms Hermann J. Koch Senior Member IEEE Substations Committee Vice Chairman Siemens Energy Sector Transmission Erlangen, Germany

Page 2 April 2008 Energy Sector Transmission Europe goes Offshore with Wind Farms Content I.Introduction II.European Union Sponsored Study III.Intermediate Results A. Offshore Wind Farms B. Status of Offshore Wind Farm Planning C. Consequences for the Network IV.Conclusion

Page 3 April 2008 Energy Sector Transmission Europe goes Offshore with Wind Farms Introduction (1)  European Union (EU) gives high goals to reduce CO 2 emissions.  Regenerative energies are politically and financially sponsored.  Short permission times are supported by authorities and legal entities.  Unified in diversity: Different ways and processes in European countries are established.

Page 4 April 2008 Energy Sector Transmission Europe goes Offshore with Wind Farms Introduction (2)  The latest technical developments made wind turbines more efficient and reliable.  Increase of wind turbines energy generation capability:

Page 5 April 2008 Energy Sector Transmission Europe goes Offshore with Wind Farms Introduction (3) Interconnecting Offshore Wind Farms  Vision of the Future

Page 6 April 2008 Energy Sector Transmission Europe Union Sponsored Study GIL for Offshore "Feasibility of using Gas Insulated Transmission Lines (GIL) to Connect Offshore Wind Farms in the European North Sea for Electricity Trade"  Status of project planning  Analysis of border crossing electricity trade  Analysis of possibilities for network connections  Load flow analysis to detect congestions  Specify the offshore laying condition for GIL  Ecological and public acceptance study  Economical aspects

Page 7 April 2008 Energy Sector Transmission Participants at the project: Initiator international:  European Commission – DG Energy and Transport, Trans European Energy Networks TEN-E Initiator national:  German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment Contractor:  Siemens  ILF  ForWind -University Hannover -University Oldenburg GIL-Offshore

Page 8 April 2008 Energy Sector Transmission Europe Union Sponsored Study Intermediate Results – Offshore Wind Farms (1) What are the main advantages of offshore wind farms?  Much wind  No public  Not visible when far out  Much space

Page 9 April 2008 Energy Sector Transmission Europe Union Sponsored Study Intermediate Results – Offshore Wind Farms (2) Beatrice Field – 5 MW wind turbine under construction:

Page 10 April 2008 Energy Sector Transmission Europe Union Sponsored Study Intermediate Results – Status of Offshore Wind Farm Planning Authority approvement of offshore wind farm locations:  Where? The exact geographical location.  How much? The total amount and type of wind turbines and the electric power generation.  When? Time schedule, most parks have two or three stages of installation.  How to connect? To define the network connection point and how to get there.

Page 11 April 2008 Energy Sector Transmission Europe Union Sponsored Study Intermediate Results – Status: Germany

Page 12 April 2008 Energy Sector Transmission Europe Union Sponsored Study Intermediate Results – Status: United Kingdom

Page 13 April 2008 Energy Sector Transmission Europe Union Sponsored Study Intermediate Results – Status: The Netherlands

Page 14 April 2008 Energy Sector Transmission 14 Collecting point MW Collecting Point MW Collecting point MW Network Design 1/3 14

Page 15 April 2008 Energy Sector Transmission 15 Expected Wind Power Production in Nordsea year wise Year wise total Power Production at Collecting points No. of GILs Required to install year wise Network Design 2/3 15

Page 16 April 2008 Energy Sector Transmission Europe Union Sponsored Study Consequences for the Network (1) Transmission Network  The existing power transmission network in EU does not fit.  Very high energy generation at places where the load is low.  Several 100 km from offshore to load centers.  High capacity transmission technology (AC and DC) with low transmission losses required.  Underground solution required at places whith public opposition.  Large investments in wind farms and in transmission network.  Many Power Engineers required!

Page 17 April 2008 Energy Sector Transmission Europe Union Sponsored Study Consequences for the Network (2) Fluctuating Energy Generation  Wind energy is fluctuating.  Reliable wind forecast for power generation planning.  Energy storage for surplus; hydro storage and gas pressure in mines are under investigation.

Page 18 April 2008 Energy Sector Transmission Europe Union Sponsored Study Conclusion (1)  Offshore wind farms are under fast development  A large quantity of wind turbines in many wind farm projects are under planning and project execution  First large scale wind turbines of 5 – 6 MW are in operation and construction  High improvements of efficiency and reliability of wind turbines are boosting this technology

Page 19 April 2008 Energy Sector Transmission Europe Union Sponsored Study Conclusion (2)  In Substations -a complete new transmission structure offshore and on land is needed to solve the challenges coming from offshore wind farms in the next future