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Offshore Wind. Geoff Sharples geoff@clearpathenergyllc.com. Frequently Unanswered Questions. Why don’t “they” build more offshore wind? Why not make the blades bigger? How big will turbines get?. Offshore Resource is Good. The Market Drivers Converge. New offshore exceeds new onshore.
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Offshore Wind Geoff Sharples geoff@clearpathenergyllc.com
Frequently Unanswered Questions • Why don’t “they” build more offshore wind? • Why not make the blades bigger? • How big will turbines get?
The Market Drivers Converge New offshore exceeds new onshore
Current commercial turbines stand in less than 30m of water huddled at 20x20
Wind ventures further offshore To a shore based observer a 90m nacelle is below the horizon at 35 km To a shore based observer a wind farm appears as white stripe at 20km Interactive map at http://www.4coffshore.com/offshorewind/ Source: EWEA Oceans of Opportunity 2009 Confidential
Power Prices Higher in Coastal States Cape Wind PPA at 18 c/kWh
The cycle of non-innovation Capital intensity curtails innovation but Offshore turbines today : Modified onshore turbines Confined to shallow water Incumbents: understand the technical issues Have a vested interest in existing supply chains and facilities. Human customers demand cheap reliable power Project Financiers are risk averse Offshore wind: Close to load Far from view Large Resource Because Developer tech risk averse Because Incumbents fund evolutionary design Utilities are risk averse Because Entrepreneurs can’t fund revolutionary prototypes
Cost of energy COE = (DR+IWF) x ICC + LRC + O&M AEPnet Where: COE = LevelizedCost of Energy ($/kWh) (constant dollars) DR = Discount Rate (1/yr) = RISK Large Impact IWF = Insurance, Warranty and Fees (1/yr) ICC = Initial Installed Capital Cost ($) = TURCC+ BOSCC TURCC = Turbine Capital Cost ($) Some Impact BOSCC= Balance of System Capital Cost ($) Small? Impact LRC = LevelizedReplacement/Overhaul Cost ($/yr) Med Impact O&M = LevelizedO&M Cost ($/yr) Med Impact AEPnet =Net Annual Energy Production (kWh/yr) Large Impact
Physical Constraints Swept Area R^2 Mechanical conversion efficiency Rotor Power Coefficient conversion wind to mechanical (subject to Betz limit) air density U = wind speed
Design Objectives • Reduce Risk • Increase energy capture • Get to better resource • Reduce operations cost • Increase turbine capacity
Design Areas • Blades • Towers • Generators
Frequently Unanswered Questions • Why don’t “they” build more offshore wind? • Why not make the blades bigger? • How big will turbines get?
FIN Thank You