Windpower Engineering & Development April 2024

PUBLISHER

Courtney Nagle cseel@wtwhmedia.com 440.523.1685

EDITORIAL

Editorial Director, Renewables

Kelly Pickerel kpickerel@wtwhmedia.com

Senior Editor

Billy Ludt bludt@wtwhmedia.com

CREATIVE SERVICES & PRINT PRODUCTION

VP of Creative Services

Matthew Claney mclaney@wtwhmedia.com

Art Director Allison Washko awashko@wtwhmedia.com

Senior Graphic Designer Mariel Evans mevans@wtwhmedia.com

Graphic Designer Shannon Pipik spipik@wtwhmedia.com

Director, Audience Development Bruce Sprague bsprague@wtwhmedia.com

WTWH Media, LLC

1111 Superior Avenue, Suite 2600, Cleveland, OH 44114

Ph: 888.543.2447

Fax: 888.543.2447

VIDEO SERVICES

Videographer

Kara Singleton ksingleton@wtwhmedia.com

Videographer Cole Kistler cole@wtwhmedia.com

MARKETING

VP of Digital Marketing

Virginia Goulding vgoulding@wtwhmedia.com

Digital Marketing Manager

Taylor Meade tmeade@wtwhmedia.com

Digital Marketing Coordinator

Emily Gillespie egillespie@wtwhmedia.com

Digital Design Manager Samantha King sking@wtwhmedia.com

Marketing Graphic Designer

Hannah Bragg hbragg@wtwhmedia.com

Webinar Coordinator Halle Sibly hkirsh@wtwhmedia.com

ONLINE DEVELOPMENT & PRODUCTION

Web Development Manager B. David Miyares dmiyares@wtwhmedia.com

Digital Media Manager Patrick Curran pcurran@wtwhmedia.com

Digital Production Manager

Reggie Hall rhall@wtwhmedia.com

Front End Developer

Melissa Annand mannand@wtwhmedia.com

Digital Production Specialist Nicole Lender nlender@wtwhmedia.com

Digital Production Specialist

Elise Ondak eondak@wtwhmedia.com

IN-PERSON EVENTS

Events Manager

Jennifer Kolasky jkolasky@wtwhmedia.com

Events Manager

Brittany Belko bbelko@wtwhmedia.com

Event Marketing Specialist Olivia Zemanek ozemanek@wtwhmedia.com

Event Coordinator Alexis Ferenczy aferenczy@wtwhmedia.com

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Customer Service Manager

Stephanie Hulett shulett@wtwhmedia.com

Customer Service Representative JoAnn Martin jmartin@wtwhmedia.com

Customer Service Representative

Tracy Powers tpowers@wtwhmedia.com

Customer Service Representative Renee Massey-Linston renee@wtwhmedia.com

Customer Service Representative

Trinidy Longgood tlonggood@wtwhmedia.com

FINANCE Controller

Brian Korsberg bkorsberg@wtwhmedia.com

Accounts Receivable Specialist Jamila Milton jmilton@wtwhmedia.com

HUMAN RESOURCES

VP of Human Resources Edith Tarter etarter@wtwhmedia.com

WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT does not pass judgment on subjects of controversy nor enter into disputes with or between any individuals or organizations.

WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT is also an independent forum for the expression of opinions relevant to industry issues. Letters to the editor and by-lined articles express the views of the author and not necessarily of the publisher or publication. Every effort is made to provide accurate information. However, the publisher assumes no responsibility for accuracy of submitted advertising and editorial information. Non-commissioned articles and news releases cannot be acknowledged. Unsolicited materials cannot be returned nor will this organization assume responsibility for their care.

WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT does not endorse any products, programs, or services of advertisers or editorial contributors. Copyright© 2023 by WTWH Media, LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, or by recording, or by any information storage or retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Free and controlled circulation to qualified subscribers. Non-qualified persons may subscribe at the following rates: U.S. and possessions, 1 year: $125; 2 years: $200; 3 years $275; Canadian and foreign, 1 year: $195; only U.S. funds are accepted. Single copies $15. Subscriptions are prepaid by check or money orders only.

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: To order a subscription or change your address, please visit our web site at www.windpowerengineering.com

WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT is published three times per year in April, September and a special issue in December by WTWH Media, LLC, 1111 Superior Avenue, Suite 2600, Cleveland, OH 44114.

IN EVERY ISSUE FEATURES

WINDWATCH

with

for

The cost-efficient floating wind conundrum

Demonstrator projects show that offshore floating wind is technically proven as a feasible concept. The challenge is how to deliver it for utility-scale projects within the budgets already committed to. Finding a cost-efficient and practical solution is a real conundrum.

As turbines grow larger, so do risks in Tornado Alley

For wind farms in tornado-prone areas, a comprehensive insurance strategy that addresses the unique risks and challenges posed by tornadoes is essential. Operators should work closely with risk management professionals to tailor policies that provide adequate protection.

Transmission issues are key hurdle for offshore wind projects in the USA

One of the biggest challenges facing the development of offshore wind is with transmitting the power to shore. Much of this has to do with striking a balance between bringing this clean energy to customers while also protecting the aquatic environment from risks brought by undersea transmission cables.

WIND WATCH

WHAT’S NEW IN THE WORLD OF WINDPOWER

South Fork Wind delivers first offshore power to New York

The South Fork Wind project has completed construction just offshore of New York. This is the first offshore wind farm in federal waters to begin electricity production in the United States. The 12-turbine, 130-MW project, located 35 miles off Montauk, reached construction completion in mid-March 2024.

South Fork Wind’s turbines were staged and assembled by local union workers at State Pier in New London, Connecticut. The project’s advanced foundation components were completed by local union workers at Ørsted and Eversource’s fabrication hub at ProvPort in Rhode Island. Its crew vessels and crew change helicopter are based out

of Quonset Point, Rhode Island.

South Fork Wind includes the first U.S.-built offshore wind substation, built by more than 350 U.S. workers across three states, with New York union workers supporting its installation offshore. The onshore cable scope of work alone created more than 100 union jobs for Long Island skilled trades workers.

Vineyard Wind offshore project supplies first power to New England

Vineyard Wind, an offshore wind project being built off the New England coast, sent approximately 5 MW of power from its first built wind turbine to Barnstable, Massachusetts, in January. Upon completion, the wind project will be composed of 62 wind turbines generating approximately 806 MW of power.

New Jersey opens more federal waters to offshore wind development

NJBPU awarded 3,742 MW of offshore wind capacity for potential offshore wind development in January. Invenergy and energyRE will develop the Leading Light Wind Project (2.4 GW) and Attentive Energy is developing Attentive Energy Two (1.342 GW). This new project lease round follows Ørsted’s decision to cease development of Ocean Wind 1 and Ocean Wind 2 projects off the coast of New Jersey in November 2023.

US steel fabricator eyes East Coast for wind tower manufacturing plant

US Forged Rings is investing $700 million to construct a tower fabrication facility and steel forging plant to support the U.S. offshore wind industry. Once operational, the tower fabrication facility will produce 100 fully coated towers annually, including internally produced flanges, mitigating potential supply chain delays from imported goods.

Ørsted pauses 966-MW Maryland offshore wind project

Ørsted announced that it will reposition Skipjack Wind, a combined 966-MW project in development off the Maryland coast, for future offtake opportunities. Ørsted intends to continue permitting and development of the Skipjack portfolio but found it is no longer “commercially viable” to continue with the project with the currently available incentives.

GE, Vestas to supply turbines for largest wind project in Western Hemisphere

GE Vernova’s Onshore Wind business is supplying 674 3.6-MW wind turbines, totaling 2.4 GW of power, to be used at the under-construction SunZia Wind Project. Vestas will supply 242 4.5MW turbines, for a 1.1-GW order. Developed by Pattern Energy, SunZia Wind is a 3.5-GW wind project being built across three different counties in New Mexico, making it the largest wind project in the Western Hemisphere.

BOEM opens Oregon coast to 2.4 GW of offshore wind development

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in February designated two Wind Energy Areas off the coast of Oregon totaling approximately 195,012 acres with an offshore wind development capacity of 2.4 GW. The approved acreage avoids 98% of the areas recommended for exclusion due to their importance as commercial fishing grounds.

CONTRIBUTORS

WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT

APRIL 2024

Mark Goalen is a MEng Naval Architect and Chartered Engineer with 17 years of experience in project engineering and management, subsea construction, vessel modification, consultancy work, design engineering and tendering. He commenced his career in a large multinational installation contractor, prior to specializing in technical consultancy. He combines this wide-ranging experience to understand project risks, restraints and demands with use of technical knowledge to guide decision making. Today, Mark Goalen is director of offshore engineering for Houlder.

Tershara Matthews is the U.S. offshore wind policy lead for WSP USA. She develops a variety of offshore energy, restoration, infrastructure and other environmental projects while promoting strong regulatory and stakeholder outreach with a business development emphasis on offshore wind and energy transition. She has a specific focus on offshore wind initiatives in the Gulf Coast. Matthews previously served as a supervisory program management specialist for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) office in New Orleans, as well as a former senior leader with the BOEM office in the Gulf of Mexico. Matthews is a graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana with a bachelor’s degree and the University of Southern Mississippi with a master’s degree in public health. She is based in WSP’s New Orleans office.

Scott Sattler completed a BA at Bowling Green State University and a MS in Management & Organization at University of Colorado. He has been providing solutions in the wind industry since 2009 when he started selling wind tower internals, and transitioned to providing electrical components located in the nacelle. Currently, he is in Business Development for Weidmuller USA, and continues to engage with engineers and supply chain personnel to offer smart connectivity products and monitoring systems.

Edward Stewart is a Senior Vice President at Alliant Insurance Services, based in Seattle, Washington. Focused on the renewable energy industry, Edward works to derisk innovation, support growth and enable complex and challenging project development using insurance and risk transfer strategies to lower the cost of risk.

Pete Tecos completed both his BSEE and MBA at Wayne State University. Throughout his 30+ year career, he has held a variety of executive-level roles with leading companies in the industrial automation space. He has worked in multiple industries including Automotive, Aerospace & Defense, and Energy. Currently, he is the Director of New Energy Solutions for Weidmuller USA, where his passion for Renewables is a core driver for the development of a solution portfolio.

MARK GOALEN TERSHARA MATTHEWS

SCOTT SATTLER

EDWARD STEWART PETE TECOS

-

-

-

WTWH Media's webinars offer:

The

cost-efficient floating-wind conundrum

By Mark Goalen • Chief Operating Officer • Houlder

Demonstrator projects show that offshore floating wind is technically proven as a feasible concept. The challenge is how to deliver it for utility-scale projects within the budgets already committed to. Finding a cost-efficient and practical solution that best meets the demands of developers — while also taking into account the perspectives of all stakeholders — is a real conundrum.

The offshore wind players

Finding the answer to this conundrum is not helped by the players waging something akin to a Cold War. An atmosphere of secrecy, suspicion and self-interest overriding a shared objective. Developers, wind turbine OEMs, floating foundation designers and the remaining supply chain all share the common decarbonizing goal but are otherwise competitive and working in isolation from each other.

Turbine OEMs are in fierce competition and are very guarded of their designs and innovations. Wind

turbine generator companies have a revenue stream from fixed wind, but the continuous and unceasing demand for larger generators means the research and development budget to design the next turbine evolution is larger than the profits being generated from current sales.

Most floating foundation designers are designing one possible solution to the floating wind challenge. Their budgets are limited, their investment is at risk and they don’t have all the information they require to design their final commercial offering. The design is therefore generic and not tuned for a specific site and wind turbine generator combination. At the same time, wind turbine components are still increasing in size and weight, and there are unknowns with regards to what a viable mooring solution will be — both factors that will influence the detailed design of any floating foundation. In that respect, it is not possible to say floating foundation designs are optimized to maximize cost efficiency. They are yet to complete the detailed design phase.

The supply chain, including ports, has a golden opportunity with an industry spanning into the next century that is sustainable and will combat global warming. However, this opportunity seems just over the horizon and continuously out of reach. There is no revenue generation available yet for many within that space. Everything is subsidized in a race to be part of a green industry, but people are getting tired of waiting for the industry to get moving. Some are even beginning to question whether the practicalities and costs of offshore floating wind will make it an unviable venture.

Cost efficiency in focus

It is important to remember that cost efficiency is relative. In relation to the design of the floating structure, the scope of requirements will drive the end result. If the critical requirement is to economize and reduce material — and therefore cost — the design will look very different from one where the main focus was to assemble 5,000 tons of steel in a two-day period. And

different again to a concrete design to allow for minimal infrastructure and a less-skilled workforce.

It is worth remembering that no single, definitive structure type or floating foundation or mooring configuration will be optimal for every site. There are many variables that will impact the decision, including a technology’s operability, reliability, practicality, readiness, CAPEX, OPEX and potential longevity. A developer must choose a foundation that is most suitable for the wind farm they are developing and, given that many developers’ portfolios are global, that will vary from site to site.

As years of knowledge and learning converge, designs will likely evolve into a shortlist of optimal options for the industry. A balance will be found between conservative design used for early-stage development and disruptive-but-unproven technology.

On top of the theoretical cost efficiency there is a practical side to consider. Access and egress to the floater, connection points for moorings and cables, internal and external inspection of fatigue sensitive connections, and the position of the wind turbine generator onboard are all important considerations that will impact the final design. But perhaps the largest barrier to an acceptable solution is manufacturing — both in terms of the speed at which the structure can be built and where it can be built using local content and skilled labor.

Solving the conundrum

With many variables, the conundrum is hard to solve. The industry needs economy of scale, factory line production and optimized, costefficient, fit-for-purpose designs moving toward convergence and

standardization. The reality is we are only at the very beginning of this evolution. But what could and should be done to accelerate the commercialization of floating wind?

Developers should be bold and select a floating foundation that best fits their scoring criteria that also has the required technology readiness level. They should also select a wind turbine generator and have designers work together to ensure compatibility. If the development site is known, they can derive everything else from there.

Additional hardware and marine operations may be required than what the project scope allows. For example, the manufacture of the foundations may take longer than expected. In worst case scenarios, if innovation cannot improve efficiency, the costs will have to be absorbed or the project abandoned. Independent, objective strategic and technical consultancy can aid developers in commercializing floating wind — ensuring that costs and risks are minimized, timeframes are realistic, and efficiency is maximized.

Governments could provide the real financial stimulus up front that is needed to break the deadlock, but, unfortunately, they are currently not doing so. They believe it is the developers’ responsibility. Provided the projects do go ahead, then lessons learned over time will determine what works and where further evolution is required.

Being bold and making decisions will kick start the supply chain, ending the chicken-and-egg scenario that is so heavily talked about in the industry. This will provide the confidence to invest and much-needed revenue streams. Floating offshore wind has significant potential as a largely untapped source of renewable energy. However, the industry will need to work together to overcome the cost conundrum it currently faces; it is solvable but demands genuine collaboration between experts. WPE

Hywind Equinor

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER:

Blade condition monitoring’s powerful insight with web-based visualization

Sattler

Pete Tecos • director of new energy solutions • Weidmuller USA

The profitability of a wind farm is inextricably linked to the energy output and availability of the turbines at the site. Therefore, as every wind site manager knows all too well, turbine downtime must be prevented or significantly reduced to optimize power production throughout the year.

While it’s an indisputable fact that a mechanical or environmental condition will impact the functionality of wind turbine blades at some point, there are tools and technologies to help managers plan and be more proactive about addressing potential problems before they become catastrophic.

An effective blade condition monitoring system requires robust hardware, advanced analytics and an accessible data visualization system. Such a system is essential for minimizing downtime and

the associated costs in time and materials for repairs. Additionally, it provides critical data and analytics, enabling wind farm owners and managers to develop a master plan for profitability through optimized maintenance and service.

Common conditions that impact blade performance and blade life

A few conditions can negatively impact wind turbine blade performance, but they can often be identified and resolved in a timely manner by means of a comprehensive blade condition monitoring system.

Ice accumulation: Ice accumulation increases the loads on mechanical components such as rotor blades, thus negatively influencing the remaining useful lifetime of the wind turbine itself. Additionally, ice accumulation makes

the blade less aerodynamic which decreases energy output of the turbine. Finally, iced blades pose a safety risk as large ice masses could break free and be thrown from the blade at high speeds, causing damage to adjacent blades, neighboring turbines, nearby structures, or even wildlife. A DNVcertified blade condition monitoring system with ice detection can mitigate those risks. The system sends a signal to the turbine controller when ice accumulation reaches a thickness threshold that is considered no longer safe to operate. Upon receiving the signal, the turbine controller can reliably stop the turbine and activate heaters to remediate the ice buildup. However, the real key to power production optimization in wintertime or in cold climates is the automatic restart of the turbine as soon as the

Scott

• wind business development manager

ice has thawed to an acceptable level. With high quality blade condition monitoring, the automatic restart can be initiated as soon as the sensors detect when it’s safe to do so.

Lightning strikes: As wind turbines get larger and more powerful, the blades are getting longer. When water condensation accumulates on the blade tips, a blade is more vulnerable to damage from lightning strikes. A lightning strike can cause catastrophic damage and lead to other major component failures if the rotor is allowed to continue spinning. Some blade condition monitoring systems have a feature that detects when damage has occurred from a lightning strike and can initiate shutdown of the turbine within 5 to 10 seconds so additional damage is prevented.

Pitch angle misalignment: If the blade pitch is misaligned, this typically leads to disproportional loading and power production loss. This misalignment causes aerodynamic imbalances resulting in excessive vibration on the blades and other

turbine components in the drivetrain. Avoiding premature wear through misalignment is imperative to help preserve the life of the blade.

Blade fatigue: Leading or trailing edge cracks and longitudinal cracks are related to blade fatigue. These cracks can accelerate in growth and cause major issues if not detected. In addition, wrinkles in the laminate can also influence blade fatigue. Many of these structural issues can be detected with sensors that allow the blade operator to see blade damage at an early stage without the need for physical inspection.

Blade condition monitoring facilitates effective maintenance and service

A comprehensive blade condition monitoring system might have been considered an accessory tool 10 years ago, but it is now an absolute necessity. Without real-time data, wind site managers are implementing timebased maintenance practices or simply reacting to blade issues as they occur.

Detecting cracks early on is crucial because they can quickly grow, resulting in higher repair costs or even blade replacement.

Depending on the size, the cost of a new wind turbine blade

can exceed $300,000, not including the cost of the crane, labor and any penalties associated with lost production. Therefore, moving to a condition-based maintenance strategy with blade monitoring is essential to manage O&M costs.

Blade maintenance is always challenging. Armed with structural health data, site managers can prioritize blade maintenance activities based on the severity of the damage. Having a monitoring system means that operating data is continuously collected and maintenance is performed based on the actual condition of the blade, which is more cost-effective as it reduces unexpected downtime.

Since planning and minimizing unplanned downtime are essential components for a wind park’s profitability, a blade condition monitoring system enables wind site owners and managers to prioritize the assets that need to be serviced and to defer noncritical repairs. It’s all about proper management of resources through a conditionbased maintenance approach.

Integrated data visualization and analytics: A game-changer

A web-based graphical interface, or dashboard, shows exactly what the sensors are picking up as they monitor the vibration response of the blade. The dashboard is an insightful tool to help identify issues, create a safe and efficient maintenance strategy and facilitate better decision making to improve and streamline operations.

Stakeholders such as owners, operators or independent service providers can securely log in to see the operational state of a single turbine or the entire site. The readily available data can be viewed and analyzed from

multiple perspectives and correlated with relevant turbine metadata such as rotor speed, pitch angle, output power and temperature to highlight and isolate various types of damage.

Aerial drones have been used for many years to capture external images of turbines and blades. It’s important to note that the majority of blade damage not caused by lightning strikes originates inside the blade, and internal cracks can grow quickly. These rapidly developing damages exponentially impact the cost of repairs if not detected early. Having a monitoring system that’s active 24/7 and strategically coupled to drone inspection is a cost-mindful approach to a more effective and efficient blade management program.

The bottom line: Blade condition monitoring optimizes profitability Implementing smart technology such as blade condition monitoring with data analytics captures the onset of structural issues and aerodynamic imbalances. This insight gives wind farm managers the data they need to be more proactive and make more informed and intelligent decisions so the blades can be repaired with minimal cost and downtime. For wind site stakeholders, this solution offers a lower cost of ownership plus a better energy yield and ultimately higher profitability.

Future-forward blade condition monitoring systems are assetagnostic and can be fit or retrofit on any brand of turbine regardless of the turbine’s age. Many wind farm managers are overseeing sites across the United States and enjoy working with a solution where one monitoring tool works on all turbines.

For all parties involved in the wind park industry, blade condition monitoring is a business case that makes sense – no matter which way the wind is blowing! WPE

As wind turbines grow larger, so do risks in tornado-prone areas

By Edward Stewart • senior VP • Alliant Insurance Services

Underwriting insurance for wind turbines involves a comprehensive evaluation of factors that can influence the risk and potential losses associated with these structures. Insurers consider a range of specific elements to determine the level of risk and to determine insurance premiums. Key factors involved in underwriting wind turbine insurance include the geographic location and climate considerations. By leveraging advanced modeling techniques and meteorological data, insurers specializing in wind power insurance also consider long-term climate patterns as part of underwriting criteria. Generally speaking, areas prone to freezing temperatures, high winds or tornadoes pose greater risks.

Being properly insured in tornado alley

Insurance considerations for wind power developed in areas prone to tornadoes are complex due to the high risk of damage associated with such extreme weather events. The weather conditions in Tornado Alley, a region in the central United States known for frequent tornadoes, are shaped by a unique combination of geographical and meteorological factors that create an ideal environment for tornado formation. Insurers and wind farm operators must carefully evaluate several factors to ensure adequate coverage and effective risk management.

Comprehensive property damage coverage: Policies should cover damage to turbines, substations and other on-site infrastructure. This includes coverage for the cost of repairs or replacement following a tornado. Additionally, following a tornado, significant debris may hinder repair efforts. Insurance should cover the cost of debris removal.

•

•

•

CP86

•

•

•

•

•

Business interruption insurance: Coverage for loss of income due to the forced shutdown of operations after a tornado is crucial for maintaining financial stability during the recovery period. Extra expense coverage should also be in place to covers additional costs in excess of normal operating expenses to expedite the return to full operational status.

Liability insurance: In case the wind farm's infrastructure is damaged and causes harm to third parties or their property, liability insurance can provide protection against third-party claims.

Equipment breakdown insurance: Even if a tornado doesn't directly damage a turbine, it can cause power surges or operational stresses leading to mechanical failures. Equipment breakdown insurance can cover mechanical failure scenarios.

Environmental and pollution liability: A tornado can cause the release of hazardous materials, for which the wind farm might be held liable. This insurance covers cleanup costs and third-party damage claims from contamination risks.

Deductibles and limits: Given the high risk of tornado damage, insurers may require higher deductibles for wind farms in prone areas. It’s important for operators to conduct a risk assessment to balance deductible levels with premium costs. Adequate coverage limits must be set to cover the potential total loss or significant damage of expensive wind turbine equipment.

Risk mitigation measures: During site selection, developers should take careful consideration of historical tornado paths and frequencies when choosing locations for new wind farms. In the design and construction phases, utilizing tornado-resistant design principles and materials can help reduce potential damage and insurance costs. Finally, having a robust emergency response plan in place for pre-tornado preparations and post-event recovery is an important factor in insurance considerations.

Insurance market conditions: In highrisk areas, insurance coverage availability may be limited, or premiums may be higher. Operators should consider engaging

with specialty insurers or consider alternative risk transfer solutions such as captive insurance.

Policy exclusions and special conditions: Policies may have exclusions for certain types of damage or events. It’s critical to understand these exclusions and assess if additional coverage is needed. Some insurers may offer reduced rates for implementing certain risk mitigation strategies.

Growing risks for wind farms

For wind farms in tornado-prone areas, a comprehensive insurance strategy that addresses the unique risks and challenges posed by tornadoes is essential. Operators should work closely with a specialty insurance broker and risk management professionals to tailor policies that

provide adequate protection while also implementing robust risk mitigation measures to minimize potential damage and associated costs.

As wind turbines grow larger and heavier to increase efficiency and energy output, several risks and challenges become more pronounced. These developments require careful consideration in design, transportation, installation and maintenance. These are the primary risks associated with larger and heavier wind turbines:

Structural stress and fatigue

• Increased load: Larger blades and heavier structures put more stress on the turbine's components, including the tower, foundation and rotor. This can lead to increased wear and tear, potentially resulting in structural

failures if not properly managed.

• Material fatigue: The materials used in construction must withstand the additional loads over time, necessitating advanced materials or designs to prevent fatigue.

• Transportation and logistics

• Transport challenges: The sheer size of the components makes transportation to the installation site more complex and costly. Special arrangements, such as custom transportation vehicles or modifications to roads and bridges, may be required.

• Installation difficulties: Larger cranes and more sophisticated equipment are needed for installation, which can increase the cost and complexity of the project.

• Installation and maintenance

Advanced Composite Windblade Repair Training

5-day courses with hands-on shop exercises

• Higher towers: Larger turbines often require taller towers, making installation and maintenance more challenging and hazardous. Specialized training for personnel and advanced safety protocols are essential.

• Maintenance complexity: The complexity of maintaining larger turbines, especially offshore ones, increases due to their size and the difficulty of accessing components for repairs or replacement.

• Environmental impact

• Visual and noise impact: Larger turbines might have a greater visual and noise impact on the surrounding environment, which can lead to opposition from local communities.

• Impact on wildlife: There are concerns about the increased risk to birds and bats, particularly with taller turbines that can intersect with the flight paths of migratory species.

• Energy production and grid integration

R-5: Composite Windblade Repair

For those responsible for performing structural repairs to composite wind blades, this course covers fundamentals necessary to understanding aerodynamic skin, core, and trailing edge repairs.

R-15: Advanced Windblade Repair

A follow-on to our Composite Wind Blade Repair course, this course is for those directly involved in providing high performance repairs to large area damage, spars, and tips.

• Intermittency and grid stability: While larger turbines generate more power, they also contribute to the challenges of managing the intermittent nature of wind energy and integrating it into the power grid.

• Oversupply issues: In times of strong winds, larger turbines could generate more electricity than the grid can handle, requiring systems to manage or store excess energy.

• Economic considerations

• Capital costs: The upfront cost of larger wind turbines is higher, impacting the financial viability of projects. While larger turbines can be more cost-effective over time due to higher energy output, the initial investment is substantial.

• Insurance costs: The risks associated with larger turbines can lead to higher insurance premiums to cover potential damages or losses.

• Technological and operational risks

• Innovation risks: As technology advances, there are risks associated with deploying new and untested designs on a large scale.

• Operational reliability: The reliability of larger turbines is crucial; any downtime or inefficiency can significantly impact the overall energy production and economic return of wind projects.

The move toward larger and heavier wind turbines represents a natural progression in the quest for more efficient and productive renewable energy sources; however, it also introduces a set of challenges that require innovative solutions in design, materials science, logistics and operational management to ensure these larger turbines are safe, reliable and environmentally sustainable. WPE

Transmission issues are key hurdle for offshore wind projects in the USA

Recent news of offshore wind turbine projects in New England waters shows that there is renewed interest in this water-bound source of wind power.

Although the United States has been slower to adopt offshore wind energy — the European and Asian markets already boast more than 10,000 offshore wind turbines — it is encouraging to note the commencement of three offshore wind projects, as these initiatives represent meaningful strides toward achieving a sustainable and clean future.

Why the growth of offshore wind?

The advantages of offshore wind power, compared to land-based projects, are becoming more compelling. Some of the reasons are:

• The wind resource is often stronger and more reliable than on land, and tiny differences in the wind resource can mean a big difference in a turbine’s generating effectiveness.

• Less potential for impacts on avian species and other wildlife in certain geographies, so there may be fewer regulatory hurdles.

• Sound and visual implications

of offshore wind projects are fewer, so there may be fewer stakeholder relations issues.

• Less risk that topographical features will disrupt the wind resource.

• Fewer restrictions on height of towers and length of blades.

And increasingly, offshore wind is not confined to shallow waters. Floating wind is becoming more practical, with installations in the North Sea and other parts of the world seeking even stronger and more reliable winds

TERSHARA MATTHEWS • OFFSHORE WIND POLICY LEAD • WSP USA

Block Island Wind Farm

further offshore. Assurance and risk management consultancy DNV says that floating offshore wind capacity is projected to reach almost 270 GW by 2050, as per its 2023 Energy Transition Outlook research.

We’re now seeing greater interest in offshore wind combined with other forms of renewable energy such as solar power arrays. There’s also interest in offshore wind being used to generate hydrogen fuel from seawater, with the gas pipelined to shore. There’s talk of using offshore wind turbines to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and sequester it deep into suitable rock formations.

Transmission issues

During my 14 years at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), I could see that one of the biggest challenges facing the development of offshore wind had to do with transmitting the power to shore. Much of this has to do with striking a balance between bringing this clean, renewable energy to customers while also protecting the aquatic environment from risks brought by undersea transmission cables.

I can think of a few planned offshore wind projects that didn’t go ahead — the proponents allowed their power purchase agreements (PPAs) to lapse — largely because of the transmission issue, inflation and overall increase to costs.

Regulatory issues: new but old

Although there may be fewer regulatory issues for wind developers when they step into the water, that’s not the same as there being no concerns.

Those issues can be more challenging to navigate than on land, simply because wind power project development in the water is a recent change for many regulatory agencies. There’s a learning curve for everyone.

Some of those situations deal with whether it’s state or federal waters being discussed. States have jurisdiction to varying extents into the water, beyond which federal jurisdiction takes over.

What may make offshore development easier is that several states are accustomed to the permitting process for oil and gas offshore development. This includes the concept of lease blocks being

sold at auction, the environmental and social review process, and even the need to carry the energy from where it is sourced offshore, to land. Whether it’s about laying an undersea pipeline or an underwater electrical cable, the impacts are similar and so much of the regulatory environment is similar.

This includes the need to protect the undersea environment from harm, including protection for fish and their spawning grounds. It’s important to determine whether there are any species at risk involved, one of the most sensitive areas often being the near-shore and shoreline environment. Sometimes it may be necessary to plan a route around a sensitive area such as a fish-spawning grounds — bearing in mind that a non-direct route will increase costs, as well as power attenuation losses.

In the permitting process, after the project promoter has received rights to a parcel of seafloor, their first step is to prepare a site assessment plan. This covers matters such as a geological and geophysical survey, a search for environmentally sensitive areas, and a check for historic resources such as shipwrecks. This process is

Staging for the Vineyard Wind project off shore of Massachusetts. Vineyard Wind

coordinated by BOEM. If the site assessment indicates no major areas of concern, BOEM will request a construction and operations plan, to include information such as the type and location of turbines, undersea facilities such as anchors and cables, as well as electrical conduits to carry the power generated to shore.

Experience has found this can take up to five years — two for the site assessment plan, and three more for the construction and operations plan review.

Finding a solution to stakeholder priorities

In the offshore, there may be a wide range of stakeholders, including:

Military – The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard may have concerns about the location of wind turbines and will need to be brought into considerations early in the process. The military may have requirements on turbine location, as it relates to aircraft taking off and landing at coastal military bases, and training airspace.

Harbors and shipping – These interests are concerned about free and safe navigation and will want existing shipping fairways left clear for navigation.

Fishing industry – This sector may be concerned about damage to their fishery resource, restricted access to fishing grounds, risk to spawning grounds and potential damage that their nets and the undersea infrastructure may do to each other.

Indigenous groups – Many Indian tribes and individuals feel they have been treated as a box to be checked and have not been adequately consulted about offshore development. In many cases, ocean views have a strong spiritual value, and they want those preserved. Having a robust tribal engagement plan is important. Many Indigenous tribes want to move

beyond consultation to becoming a partner in the development process.

Individual property owners and tourism promoters – Unspoiled views over the water are a big attraction for many people, and the prospect of having that view filled with wind turbines can result in many angry calls to political representatives. In some situations where offshore drilling and production platforms are a familiar sight, there may be less opposition to offshore wind power development.

New developments in transmission permitting

As offshore wind power becomes more common in the United States, many of these issues will become better understood. We expect that

more jurisdictions will streamline their processes as New Zealand has done, where one agency handles most of the consultative process.

Wind developers could also team up to use a common corridor for their underwater transmission lines — corridors that have already been approved for use, and adding more underwater facilities will be less of an issue for regulators and other stakeholders.

From a slow start, offshore wind power in the United States has a bright future. Much of the country’s population and power markets are along the coast, so having renewable energy sources located just a few miles offshore will help power a more renewable future. WPE

Author Tershara Matthews in the field.

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Managing Director

Scott McCafferty 310.279.3844 smccafferty@wtwhmedia.com

EVP

Marshall Matheson 805.895.3609 mmatheson@wtwhmedia.com

Publisher Courtney Nagle cseel@wtwhmedia.com 440.523.1685

CFO

Ken Gradman kgradman@wtwhmedia.com 773-680-5955

Ashley

2024 EVENT SCHEDULE

CLEANPOWER

MAY 6–9, 2024

FEBRUARY 21–23, 2024

San Diego, CA

Gaslamp Quarter

Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis Convention Center

OCTOBER 28–30, 2024

Atlantic City, NJ

Atlantic City Convention Center

MARCH 11–13, 2024

Colorado Springs, CO

The Broadmoor Clean

APRIL 9–10, 2024

Washington, D.C.

RELIABLE ENCODERS

Avtron Encoders are the world’s largest-selling brand of heavy and harsh duty encoders. We sell to a wide range of industries from paper mills to metals, mining, wind power and oil & gas drilling. Anywhere an encoder failure would cost money and downtime, you need an Avtron Encoder.

Avtron Encoders are the Most Reliable Encoders in the World.

avtronencoders.com