Wind European Industrial Initiative Team EWI Implementation Plan

Transcription

1 Wind European Industrial Initiative Team EWI Implementation Plan Produced by the TPWind Secretariat Version 3 February

2 Table of contents Introduction and background... 4 Purpose of the document... 4 TPWind... 4 The EWI... 5 The road so far: the implementation of the EWI since its launch... 7 EWI priorities for the period Strand 1: New turbines and components State-of-the-art Action 1: R&D programme focused on new turbine designs, materials and components addressing on- and offshore applications Action 2: A network of five to ten European testing facilities to test and assess efficiency and reliability of wind turbine systems Action 3: An EU cross-industrial programme drawing upon the know-how of other industrial sectors for mass production of wind systems focused on increased component and system reliability, advanced manufacturing techniques and offshore turbines Lighthouse projects in EWI Strand Strand 2: Offshore technology State-of-the-art Action 1: Development and demonstration of innovative sub-structures and floating structures Action 2: Efficient and cost effective logistics Action 3: Operation & Maintenance Action 4: Offshore wind farms design Lighthouse projects in EWI Strand Grid integration State-of-the-art Action 1: Connection technologies for offshore and onshore wind power plants to AC and DC networks (including multi-terminal HVDC grids) Action 2: Wind power capabilities for system support and Virtual Power Plant operation Action 3: Wind energy in the power market Lighthouse projects in EWI Strand Resource assessment, spatial planning and social acceptance State-of-the-art

3 4.2 Action 1: Integrated climatic conditions Action 2: Environmental research Action 3: Offshore planning Action 4: Economic studies Lighthouse projects in EWI Strand Annex I: Funding the EWI activities overview Industrial risk and European added value EWI budget for the period Annex II: Technical Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Annex III: TPWind EERA MoU Annex IV: EWI EEGI distribution of grid R&D tasks

4 Introduction and background Purpose of the document This Implementation Plan is a detailed description of the R&D priorities and objectives to be tackled by the wind energy community over the 2013 to 2015 period. As such, it is a key instrument for the proper implementation of the European Wind Initiative (EWI) and contributes to the overall effectiveness of the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan). This Implementation Plan follows and builds on the previous version, produced by the European Wind Energy Technology Platform (TPWind) and approved by the Wind European Industrial Initiative Team (Wind EII Team). The Implementation Plan is the starting point for developing the yearly EWI Work Programmes for 2013, 2014 and Work Programmes outline detailed funding recommendations for both EU and national authorities, aiming to transform the EWI into budget allocations, calls for proposals and projects. As such, they have a very operational approach and their assumptions (in terms of budget allocations and overall R&D goals and priorities) are all based on the Implementation Plan. The relation between the EWI, its Implementation Plans and its yearly Work Programmes is outlined by the diagram below: EWI It covers the period It clarifies the development trajectory of wind power up to 2020 and identifies its main R&D priorities and challenges Implementation Plans They cover a three-year period They provide a detailed description of the overall R&D priorities and goals (including budget implications). However, they are not designed to be put immediately into action by funding authorities Yearly Work Programmes They focus on a specific year only They provide a detailed list of EU and national calls for proposals and budget allocations that can be easily implemented by relevant authorities They are operational documents, rather than a strategic ones like the EWI or its Implementation Plans TPWind TPWind, the European Wind Energy Technology Platform, is a network of wind energy experts from both the EU wind power industry and R&D community. With more than 150 members, it is the prominent European wind energy research forum. 4

5 TPWind was created in 2005 and launched in Since 2007, its Secretariat receives financial support from the European Commission (EC), first through the FP6 Windsec project ( ) and now through the FP7 TOP Wind project ( ). The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) hosts the TPWind Secretariat since the creation of the Platform. The EWI The SET-Plan is a 2007 EU blueprint for developing low-carbon energy technologies. One of its goals was to establish and launch European Industrial Initiatives (EIIs); long-term (up to 2020), large-scale programmes capable of accelerating the development of selected technologies with the potential of effectively contributing to the decarbonisation of the European economy and energy system. The EWI is wind power s Industrial Initiative. It was developed by TPWind on the basis of a Strategic Research Agenda/Market Deployment Strategy (SRA/MDS) and in cooperation with the European Commission and Member States. It is therefore the expression of the entire EU wind energy community and the result of an open and transparent process. The EWI was officially launched in 2010 and is the main EU instrument for the development of wind power. Its main key performance indicator (KPI) and goal are: Achieve an average 20% reduction of wind energy electricity production costs by 2020, compared with the state-of-the-art in ; Enable a 20% share of wind energy in the final EU electricity consumption by Moreover, the EWI aims at making onshore wind fully competitive by 2020, as stated by the EWI Implementation Plan. If implemented properly, the EWI should also create the conditions to make offshore wind fully competitive by According to the most recent estimations of the European Wind Energy Associations (EWEA see its Online Electricity Cost Calculator: the levelised cost of energy (LCOE) in 2009, 2012, 2020 and 2030 should be (in /MWh): Onshore wind Offshore wind If these projections are confirmed, onshore wind will indeed be fully competitive by 2020 and offshore wind by 2030, especially if fuel and carbon cost components and their price volatility risk are taken into account when calculating the LCOE of fossil fuels power generating technologies. However, the EWI s key performance indicators in terms of LCOE, as they were defined when the EWI was launched in 2010, are: Indicator / Source EWI KPI onshore EWI KPI offshore LCoE ( /MWh) by Source: 2012 JRC wind status report 1 SEC(2009) SEC(2009) The 2012 offshore LCOE is higher than the 2009 one because projects are more ambitious, in deeper waters, with more sophisticated equipment and further from shore. 5

6 The EWI focuses on four main R&D areas illustrated in figure 1 and called EWI Strands: New turbines and components; Offshore structures; Grid integration (its focus changed since the redistribution of grid R&D tasks between the EWI and the European Electricity Grid Imitative EEGI: see Strand 3 and Annex IV for more information); Resource assessment and spatial planning. Figure 1 European Wind Initiative Research & Development focus The EWI s total budget for the 2010 to 2020 period is 6bn (public and private resources). Since its launch in 2010, the EWI is implemented by the Wind European Industrial Initiative Team (Wind EII Team), composed of TPWind, European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) 4, EC, EIB and Member States representatives. The goal of the Wind EII Team is to translate the EWI into Implementation Plans and yearly Work Programmes, in order to ensure its proper roll out. The conclusions and funding recommendations of the Team are validated by the SET-Plan High Level Steering Group, composed of senior EC and national representatives. The EWI is, therefore, implemented by coordinating all available EU and national funding schemes and focusing them on the priorities identified by the Wind EII Team. The beneficiaries of public R&D funding stemming from this EWI Implementation Plan will be asked by EU Institutions to report the result of their projects in a structured way, which will be defined in the framework of the new EU programming period ( ). 4 EERA joined the Wind EII Team in May

7 The road so far: : the implementation of the EWI since its launch Since the EWI launch in June 2010, the Wind EII Team published the 2010 to 2012 Implementation Plan and 2 Work Programmes for the years 2011 and Following the approval of the latter by the Wind EII Team and the SET-Plan High Level Steering Group, TPWind provided support to the EC and national authorities in the development and launch of relevant calls for proposals. The implementation of the EWI over the period was successful only to a certain extent, mainly because the level of available EU FP7 and IEE funding should have been higher in order to match the ambition and magnitude of the EWI (the vast majority of its EU funds were allocated through the one-off European Energy Programme for Recovery). Consequently, the EWI Work Programmes funding recommendations were taken up only to a certain extent, as outlined in table 1. Table 1 Uptake of EWI funding recommendations Year / FP7 Programme 2011 Two FP7 topics, out of the seven recommended in the EWI 2011 Work Programme, were included in the 2012 FP7 Energy Work Programme (new materials for large scale turbines and reliability of large scale wind turbines) Five FP7 topics, out of the nine recommended in the 2012 Work Programme, were included in the 2013 FP7 Energy Work Programme (advanced aerodynamic modelling for very large rotor blades, new EU wind atlas, grid connection of offshore wind farms, DC power collection and HVDC grids although the EC grouped the three grid integration topics into a single one). Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) One IEE priority, out of the two recommended in the EWI 2011 Work Programme, was partially addressed by the 2011 IEE call for proposal (social acceptance, but without the economic component). One IEE priority, out of the two recommended in the EWI 2012 Work Programme, was partially addressed by the 2012 IEE call for proposal (social acceptance, like in 2011, but without the economic component, which will however be covered by the Joint Research Centre in an ad-hoc study). Moreover, the coordination of EU and national funds, which should represent one of the pillars of the SET-Plan, proved to be more difficult than expected: National Programmes differ from one another in terms of rules, priorities, managing authorities, procedures and deadlines. It is therefore very difficult to focus all of them, at the same time, on the EWI priorities agreed by the Wind EII Team in its yearly Work Programmes. Member States participate in the implementation of the EWI on a voluntary basis: EU Institutions, TPWind, the Wind EII Team or the SET-Plan High Level Steering Group have no formal power over the allocation of national funds. This increases the complexity of coordinating EU and national funds, since the recommendations approved by the Wind EII Team can be ignored without repercussions. For the time being, the only instrument allowing an effective coordination of EU and national funds (i.e. their convergence on the same project) is ERANET+, which, however, poses a very heavy administrative burden on all stakeholders involved. A consistent, efficient and cost-effective reporting process of EC, MS and industry R&D investments is still lacking. Consequently, planning joint projects involving coordinated EU, national and private funding is very difficult under current circumstanced. 7

8 For these reasons, although the process produced tangible results, there is room for improvement in the implementation of the EWI. Corrective actions should be taken during the next EU programming period (2014 to 2020), primarily to increase the level of EU funding for the EWI and facilitate the coordination of EU and national funds, for example by simplifying the ERANET+ rules or introducing new schemes. The SET-Plan High Level Steering Group discussed several options to ensure better coordination of EU and national funds, such as the so-called Berlin model (where a project co-funded by several Member States receive extra EU funding without having to go through the lengthy ERANET+ procedure) or joint national funding of FP7 reserve list projects. These options should be explored again to ensure a better implementation of the EWI and the SET- Plan in the framework of Horizon Even considering these difficult circumstances, considerable results have been achieved. Firstly, the implementation of the EWI received a decisive boost as early as 2009 via the European Energy Programme for Recovery (EEPR), which allocated 565m to innovative offshore wind farms (the 2011 and 2012 Work Programmes took these funds into account). Secondly, the Wind EII Team successfully coordinated EU and national funds to ensure the publication, in the 2013 FP7 Energy Work Programme, of an ERANET+ topic on developing a new EU Wind Atlas. This is the first concrete example of effective EU-national cooperation in the framework of the EWI and therefore a major success for the Wind EII Team. Finally, several EU projects have been launched to implement the EWI. A full overview is provided in table 2 below. Only projects fully in line with the EWI and not completed before June 2010 (when the EWI was launched) were taken into consideration. For post-june 2010 projects, only those originating directly from the EWI 2011 and 2012 Work Programmes (i.e. being a direct result of the EWI) were listed. These should be considered as the only projects stemming directly from the EWI. Table 2 List of EU projects contributing to the EWI Name EU Instrument, budget and duration Coordinator EEPR projects EEPR - 565m Duration not applicable (several projects) UPWIND FP6-14.5m INNWIND FP7-13.8m HYDROBOND FP7-2.9m MW-WEC-BY-11 FP7-3.3m N.A. (several organisations) DTU Wind DTU Wind Barcelona University WIP GMBH & CO PLANUNGS- KG Relevant EWI activity / activities (according to the classification used in the EWI Implementation Plan) Activity 1.3.1: Large scale manufacturing and logistics, both size and numbers for in and out of factory and site erection Activity 2.2.1: Industry-wide initiative on mass-manufacturing of substructures Activity 3.1.1: Combined solutions for wind farm grid connection and interconnection of at least two Countries (this activity is now covered by the EEGI) Activity 3.1.2: Wind power plants requirements and solutions to wind farms supporting the system dynamics Activity 1.1.1: Large scale turbines and innovative design for reliable turbines (10 20 MW) Activity 1.1.1: Large scale turbines and innovative design for reliable turbines (10 20 MW) Activity 1.1.1: Large scale turbines and innovative design for reliable turbines (10 20 MW) Activity 1.1.1: Large scale turbines and innovative design for reliable turbines (10 20 MW) 8

9 WINGY-PRO FP7-2.5m TOPFARM FP6-1.7m University Bremen DTU Wind of Activity 1.1.1: Large scale turbines and innovative design for reliable turbines (10 20 MW) Activity 1.1.2: Improved reliability of large turbines and wind farms RELIAWIND FP7-5.2m MARINET FP7-9m ORECCA FP7-1.6m MARINA PLATFORM FP7-8.7m DEEPWIND HIPRWIND FP7-3m FP7-11m H2OCEAN FP7-4.5m MERMAID FP7-5.5m TROPOS FP7-4.9m SUPRAPOWER FP7-3.8m OFFSHORE GRID IEE - 1.4m RESERVICES IEE m CLUSTERDESIGN FP7-3.5m EERA - DTOC FP7 2.9m TWENTIES FP7-31.7m Gamesa University Cork Fraunhofer Institute Acciona DTU Wind Fraunhofer Institute Meteosim Truewind S.L. DTU Wind Consorcio plataforma oceanica Canarias Fundacion Tecnalia Research Innovation 3E of de & Activity 1.1.2: Improved reliability of large turbines and wind farms Activity 1.2.2: Improvement of size and capabilities of system-lab testing facilities for MW turbines Activity 1.2.3: Field testing facilities for MW turbines aimed at increasing reliability Activity 2.1.1: Deep offshore and site identification for demonstration of largescale substructures Activity 2.1.1: Deep offshore and site identification for demonstration of largescale substructures Activity 2.1.1: Deep offshore and site identification for demonstration of largescale substructures Activity 2.1.1: Deep offshore and site identification for demonstration of largescale substructures Activity 2.1.1: Deep offshore and site identification for demonstration of largescale substructures Activity 2.1.1: Deep offshore and site identification for demonstration of largescale substructures Activity 2.1.1: Deep offshore and site identification for demonstration of largescale substructures Activity 2.1.1: Deep offshore and site identification for demonstration of largescale substructures Activity 3.1.1: Combined solutions for wind farm grid connection and interconnection of at least two countries EWEA Activity 3.2.1: Wind power plants requirements and solutions to wind farms supporting the system dynamics 3E Activity 3.2.1: Wind power plants requirements and solutions to wind farms supporting the system dynamics DTU Wind Activity Wind power plants requirements and solutions to wind farms supporting the system dynamics Red Electrica Activity 3.2.1: Wind power plants requirements and solutions to wind farms supporting the system dynamics Activity 3.3.1: Balancing technologies for large scale wind power penetration 9

10 UMBRELLA FP7 5.25m TENNET Activity 3.3.2: Market integration ITESLA FP7 13.2m SEEWIND FP6-3.7m SAFEWIND FP7-4m NORSEWIND FP7-3.9m WIND BARRIERS IEE - 0.7m WINDSPEED IEE - 1m SEANERGY 2020 IEE - 1.2m RESCOOP IEE - 1.5m Miscellaneous RTE EDF EWS Consulting ARMINES Oldbaum Services Limited EWEA ECN EWEA Ecopower Activity 3.3.2: Market integration Activity 4.1.1: Data sets for new models for wind energy Activity 4.1.1: Data sets for new models for wind energy Activity 4.1.1: Data sets for new models for wind energy Activity 4.2.1: Coordination process for on and offshore spatial planning Activity 4.2.1: Coordination process for on and offshore spatial planning Activity 4.2.1: Coordination process for on and offshore spatial planning Activity 4.3.1: European wind study on the social economic value of wind energy in the EU Two issues that arose in the implementation of the EWI were solved by TPWind in An agreement on a proper distribution of grid R&D tasks was reached with representatives of the European Electricity Grid Initiative (EEGI) to co-ordinate work and avoid overlaps. From 2013 onwards the EWI will focus on wind-specific issues only (such as ancillary services, wind energy production forecasts, grid connection of wind farms and so on), while the EEGI will deal with broader grid integration and management issues influencing the overall EU energy system (for instance grid integration of multiple renewable energy sources, dedicated offshore grid technology and so on). A more detailed overview of the distribution of tasks is available in annex IV to this document. As a consequence of the EERA being officially made part of the EWI, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by TPWind and EERA to clarify their respective responsibilities in the implementation of the EWI and the EERA Joint Programme on wind energy. The MoU indicates that, while TPWind and EERA will cooperate closely in both Programmes, TPWind will maintain the lead in the EWI and EERA in its Joint Programme on wind energy, so as to avoid any confusion on their roles. The MoU is available in annex III to this document. TPWind and the Wind EII Team will seek to cooperate closely with ENTSO-E in order to contribute to an effective implementation of the EEGI, which will have a clear impact on the development of renewables in Europe. When it comes to grid integration, the EWI will from now on focus on wind-specific issues, but it will nevertheless strive to provide inputs to grid operators, so as to help them in shaping the EU s future energy system. 10

11 EWI priorities for the period The EWI R&D priorities for the 2013 to 2015 period are described in this Implementation Plan, which is divided into four main strands, mirroring the structure of the EWI: New turbines and components; Offshore substructures; Grid integration; Resource assessment and spatial planning. The following elements were taken into consideration when identifying and describing relevant R&D priorities and goals: Technology state-of-the-art; Relevant EU and national wind energy projects launched and implemented; Industrial risk and EU added value of each priority; Budget requirements of each priority and the potential EU and national sources of funding; Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) applicable to each priority. This document therefore outlines the wind energy R&D priorities to be tackled over the 2013 to 2015 period in order to ensure a proper implementation of the EWI. It also provides an overview of their relevant budget requirements and KPIs, as required by the European Commission. This Implementation Plan is the starting point for the development of the EWI 2013, 2014 and 2015 Work Programmes. Moreover, key lighthouse projects (large-scale actions with a clear demonstration component) are highlighted so as to contribute, as requested by the European Commission, to a smooth launch and implementation of Horizon 2020 (the successor to the Framework Programmes). In order to be effective, lighthouse projects should build on existing activities and ideally combine R&D and demonstration components, so as to widen the range of funding opportunities. This Implementation Plan does not address issues that have already been analysed in the previous 2010 to 2012 edition 5 : The relationship between the EWI, the EEPR, the New Entrants Reserve 300 (NER300) and the EERA s Joint Programme on wind energy (the TPWind EERA MoU is attached - see Annex III). The levelised cost of energy (LCOE) model developed to measure the EWI overarching KPI (now managed by the EU JRC). The EWI management structure. Working on prototypes and ensuring their proper testing is essential to the development of the wind energy sector. For this reason, clear priority should be given to the EWI lighthouse projects outlined in this Implementation Plan (which include a clear demonstration component). Also, the result of NER300 actions should be properly evaluated and taken into consideration, because of their focus on the development of prototypes. Each EWI Strand is divided into several Actions, grouping R&D priorities with similar goals. Every Action is composed of several Components, providing concrete indications on how to tackle relevant research goals. 5http://setis.ec.europa.eu/implementation/eii/implementationplans/Wind_EII_Implementation_Plan_final.pdf/view 11

12 1. Strand 1: New turbines and components The first EWI Strand focuses on new turbines and components. Its technology objectives are 6 : To develop large scale turbines in the range of 10 to 20 MW especially for offshore applications; To improve the reliability of wind turbine components through the use of new materials, advanced rotor designs, control and monitoring systems; To further automate and optimise manufacturing processes such as blade manufacturing through cross industrial co-operation with automotive, maritime and civil aerospace; To develop innovative logistics including transport and construction techniques, in particular in remote, weather-hostile sites. These objectives should be achieved by the following Actions 7 : R&D programme focused on new turbine designs, materials and components addressing on- and offshore applications coupled with a demonstration programme dedicated to the development and testing of a large scale turbine prototype (10 to 20MW); Network of 5-10 European testing facilities to test and assess efficiency and reliability of wind turbine systems; EU cross-industrial co-operation and demonstration programme drawing upon the know-how from other industrial sectors for mass production of wind systems focused on increased component and system reliability, advanced manufacturing techniques and offshore turbines, including five to ten demonstration projects testing the production of the next generation of turbines and components. Figure 3 - European Wind initiative Research & Development focus, strand 1 actions. 1.1 State-of of-the the-art Wind turbine technology displays some of the most striking developments in the entire sector. Turbine size, power and complexity have developed very fast over the past few years, leading to the current commercial generation of multi-megawatt onshore and offshore machines. Wind turbines are unique machines because: They have to operate as power stations, unattended and provide more to the electricity network than simply energy (see EWI Strand 3 on grid integration for an overview of ancillary services); The wind is variable on timescales from seconds to years, which introduces uncertainty; 6 SEC(2009) SEC(2009)

13 The technology has to compete on cost of energy against other renewables and conventional generation. Over time, three-blade, upwind, variable-speed, pitch-regulated turbines became a sectoral standard. The principal design drivers are now grid compatibility, cost of energy (which includes considerations on reliability), acoustic emissions, visual appearance and suitability for site conditions. However, many technical issues remain unresolved, such as: Large-diameter, slow-speed generators; Medium-speed generators with reduced stages of gearing; Optimum size for both onshore and offshore applications. As indicated in the 2012 JRC (Joint Research Centre) wind status report, the main technological characteristics of current turbines are: Steel, concrete or hybrid towers reaching 140m of height. An upwind rotor with three blades, active yaw system, preserving alignment with the wind direction. Rotor efficiency, acoustic noise, tip speed, costs and visual impact are important design factors. Some turbine designs have only two blades. High-wind-speed regulation. Pitch regulation, an active control where the blades are turned along their axis to regulate the extracted power. Variable rotor speed. It was introduced to allow the rotor and wind speed to be matched more efficiently in particular at lower wind speeds, and to facilitate an output more according with the needs of the electricity grid. A drive train system where a gearbox adapts the slow-rotating rotor to the needs of a fast electricity generator. However, more and more slow generators are used directly coupled to the turbine rotor. The development of the offshore sector is now clearly influencing wind turbine technological development, by focusing on the most effective ways to make large-scale machines. Consequently, specific R&D issues to be faced are: Low mass nacelle arrangements; Large rotor technology and advanced composite engineering; Design for offshore foundations, erection and maintenance (see EWI Strand 2 on offshore applications). The most important output of the FP6 UPWIND project, which is, so far, the EWI Strand 1 flagship action, is precisely the demonstration that upscaling turbines up to 20MW is technically feasible. As of 2012, the largest commercial wind turbine available is Enercon s E126, with a rotor diameter of 127m and a capacity of up to 7.5MW. However, the largest market segment is still machines with of a rated capacity ranging between 1.5 MW and 2.5 MW: Product (Size range) Units MW kw/unit Share 0-749kW % kW 2,428 2, % kW , % kW 19,698 34,579 1, % 2501 and up 936 2,902 3, % Total 24,049 40,358 1, % Source: BTM Consult - A Part of Navigant - March 2012 The following table includes a sample of current or recently-presented large turbines, whilst 10 MW designs have been presented by Sway (Norway) and AMSC Windtec (US-AT). 13

14 Manufacturer Model MW Technology Status GE Energy LS-PMG Prototype installed in H1, 2012 Gamesa G MS-PMG Prototype installed in 2011 Sinovel SL HS-DFIG Commercially available Goldwind/Vensys GW LS-PMG Prototype installed in 2010 REpower 5M 5.0 HS-DFIG Commercially available XEMC-Darwind XD LS-PMG Commercially available Areva Multibrid M MS-PMG Commercially available Sinovel SL HS-SCIG Prototype installed in 2011 Goldwind/Vensys GW LS-PMG Prototype expected for late 2012 United Power UP HS-DFIG Prototype installed in Nov Siemens SWT LS-PMG Prototype installed in 2012 Alstom Wind Haliade LS-PMG Prototype installed in 2012 REpower 6M 6.15 HS-DFIG Commercially available Enercon E LS-EMG Commercially available Vestas V MS-PMG Prototype expected for 2014 Source: 2012 JRC wind status report. PMG = permanent magnet generator; EMG = electromagnet generator; DFIG = doubly-fed induction generator, a type of EMG. LS/MS/HS=low/medium/high speed; LS is necessarily a direct-drive machine, HS involves a 3-stage, conventional gearbox and MS involves 1- or 2-stage gearbox. Upscaling of turbines inevitably results in larger rotor diameters, heavier nacelles and higher blade tip speeds (which enable turbines to extract more energy from wind but increase, at the same time, their noise emissions). The 2012 JRC wind status report provides an overview of the correlation between wind turbines rotor diameter and their capacity: metres 180 Evolution of rotor diameter (m) with turbine capacity (MW) y = 44,1ln(x) + 56, ,00 1,00 2,00 3,00 4,00 5,00 6,00 7,00 8,00 9,00 MW Finally, evidence on the increase of turbines head mass is provided by the following diagram, focusing on machines currently in production: 14

15 Source: BTM Consult 1.2 Action 1: R&D programme focused on new turbine designs, materials and components addressing on- and offshore applications This programme aims at creating the conditions for designing, producing and installing largescale turbines. It will have a considerable impact on the future structure and energy production of both onshore and offshore wind farms. The first half of the decade is crucial to ensure the ultimate success of this programme, which is expected to deliver its most important results between 2015 and The first prototypes of large-scale turbines (in the 10 to 20 MW range) should indeed be installed and tested between 2017 and This programme builds on the FP6 UPWIND project 8, which investigated and confirmed the technical feasibility of building a 20MW turbine (although considerable modifications in today s designs and materials might be required). The FP7 INNWIND project 9, launched in 2012, will follow on UPWIND and will be an important contribution to this strand of the EWI. Developing cost-effective and reliable large-scale turbines can greatly contribute to making wind power fully competitive (especially offshore). However, upscaling turbines is just one of the strategies to be pursued and does not represent an objective in itself: it will be followed by the wind energy community as long as it will make economic and technical sense. Nevertheless, up-scaling projects often lead to the development of better or less expensive applications for smaller turbines (cascading effect). Supporting these actions, therefore, contributes to the overall competitiveness of wind power. Past up-scaling projects focused on smart rotors, reliability of turbines and potential offshore and complex terrain applications. However, additional R&D areas to consider are hightemperature super-conducting generators, smart components for low-wind areas or extreme climates and wind farm optimisation to complex terrains to limit wake losses. Additional issues that should be taken into consideration are: noise emissions (including lowfrequency), birds and bats protection strategies (to be tackled also by EWI Strand 4 resource assessment, social acceptance and spatial planning) and health & safety (to be tackled also by EWI Strand 2 offshore technology)

16 Action 1 of EWI Strand 1 is divided into three main components, representing the main R&D priorities: Component 1: Large-scale turbines. This section deals with the development of the next generation of wind turbines, in the 10 to 20 MW range. Greater attention will be devoted to new designs and solutions for both floating structures and bottommounted offshore structures, which have specific needs (e.g. in terms of components, aerodynamics, gears and generators); Component 2: Reliability lity of turbines and wind farms. This part focuses on improving the reliability of wind turbine designs, especially in terms of handling wake effects, optimising power performance and minimising dynamic loading. This section of Action 1 also focuses on existing turbines and wind farms, in order to improve their efficiency and increase wind energy production; Component 3: Optimisation of turbines to extreme climates and complex terrains. This activity focuses on onshore turbines only and aims at their optimisation for forested areas, complex terrains (including mountains) and extreme weather conditions (high winds, cold climates, arctic areas or deserts), increasing the areas where wind power can be harvested. Potential R&D projects under Strand 1, Action 1 10 Component 1: Flow devices and control: new rotor blade control systems for very large rotors should be developed and tested; Background research for standards. International standards supporting communication between wind turbines and components manufacturers and stimulating the development of cost effective wind turbine technology should be defined. Component 2: Development of probabilistic design methods to address reliability and risk; Test and verification: a systematic approach for verification methods of design tools and models should be developed. Component 3: Minimisation of head masses through new methodologies and designs for different configurations of large-scale wind turbines. Table 3 Strand 1, Action 1 recommended activities Activity Description number Large-scale turbines Characterisation and development of materials and components for wind turbines, including up-scaling effects. Development and integration of drive trains mechanical transmission, generator and power electronics. Sensing, algorithms and actuation in control strategies and systems. Design approaches and methods for very large wind turbines: flow in wind farms, on- and offshore. Integrated analysis of the influence of grid and fault control on electrical and mechanical design and stresses on wind turbines. Budget m 10 Additional information on recommended projects will be provided in the framework of yearly EWI Work Programmes. 16

17 1.1.2 Improved reliability of large turbines and wind farms. Analysis of flow in and around large wind farms through control optimisation of power performance and minimising dynamic loading. Analysis of flow from one large wind farm to the next large wind farm both looking on resources and design conditions using CFD, LIDARS and satellite images. Increased reliability of current large designs: smarter O&M with preventive maintenance and condition monitoring; optimising life-cycle cost Turbine and wind farm optimisation to complex terrain and extreme climates TOTAL 50m 30m 160m 1.3 Action 2: A network of five to ten European testing facilities to test and assess efficiency and reliability of wind turbine systems The upscaling of turbines increases the financial impact of technical failures and, therefore, financial risks. To manage and reduce these risks, dedicated testing facilities are required. A minimum of five facilities for large-scale concepts should be fully operational in Europe as of These facilities should have both the technical equipment and the methodological capability to deal with large-scale turbines. Moreover, they should represent the state-of-theart in testing and have the potential to serve the entire EU wind energy sector (they should be accessible by any organisation with relevant testing needs, hence their indication as an EU network ). Appropriate investments should be made over the 2013 to 2015 period. Action 2 of EWI Strand 1 is divided into three main components, representing the main R&D priorities: Component 1: Definition of methods and standards for testing large wind turbine components; Component 2: Improvement of size and capabilities of system-lab testing facilities for 10 to 20 MW turbines; Component 3: Field testing facilities for 10 to 20 MW turbines aimed at increasing reliability. When testing large-scale turbines or selecting field test sites, it is important to work on the basis of ad hoc, verified and shared approaches, developed and approved by all relevant stakeholders. Action 2 aims at achieving this important pre-condition. Potential R&D projects under Strand 1, Action 2 11 On top of the infrastructural investments required for setting up test facilities (to be covered mainly by Member States, the European Investment Bank and the industry), the following R&D projects should be part of Action 2: Component 1: Test and verification methods for large-scale components to develop standards applicable large-scale turbines. Component 3: 11 Additional information on recommended projects will be provided in the framework of yearly EWI Work Programmes. 17

18 Acceptance criteria for field tests to develop testing methods as well as site and climate selection criteria for field testing facilities. Table 4 Strand 1, Action 2 recommended activities Activity Description number Definition of methods and standards for testing large wind turbine components Improvement of size and capabilities of system-lab testing facilities for MW turbines Field testing facilities for MW turbines aimed at increasing reliability TOTAL Budget m 150m 150m 320m 1.4 Action 3: An EU cross-industrial programme drawing upon the know-how of other industrial sectors for mass production of wind systems focused on increased component and system reliability, advanced manufacturing ng techniques and offshore turbines This Action will prepare the production and commercialisation of large-scale turbines. The focus will be on machines in the 5 to 10 MW range up to 2015 and on larger models towards the end of the decade. Infrastructural investments for developing ad hoc manufacturing facilities should be covered mainly by Member States, the European Investment Bank and the industry. Table 5 Strand 1, Action 3 recommended activities Activity Description number Development of five large scale manufacturing and logistics processes, both size and numbers for in and out-of-factory and site erection TOTAL Budget m 150m 1.5 Lighthouse projects in EWI Strand 1 Strand 1 potential lighthouse projects are the following (in order of importance). 1. Design and testing of new nacelle prototype(s), with a significant lower mass and applicable to several types of large-scale wind turbines. Reducing the head mass and material intensity of large-scale turbines is essential in order to obtain all the benefits of up-scaling and reduce wind energy production costs. This development will also create the conditions for a smoother growth of the offshore sector, which will mostly rely on large turbines. This project concerns Action 1 of Strand 1 and could be funded by Horizon Construction and launch of an EU network of five testing facilities to assess the reliability of new large turbines. This would greatly contribute to the construction of the first large-scale prototypes (in the 10 to 20 MW capacity), which are expected over the 2017 to 2020 period. This project concerns Action 2 of Strand 1 and could be implemented either through a combination of European Investment Bank (EIB) and national funds or through a new version of the EEPR. 18

19 3. Construction and launch of an EU network of five manufacturing facilities for the mass production of new large-scale turbines. This project concerns Action 3 of Strand 1. Similarly to project 2, this project could be implemented through a combination of EIB and national funds or through a new EEPR. 19

20 2. Strand 2: Offshore technology The second EWI Strand focuses on offshore technology. Its technology objectives are 12 : To develop new stackable, replicable and standardised substructures for large-scale offshore turbines such as tripods, quadropods, jackets and gravity-based structures; To develop floating structures with platforms, floating tripods, or single anchored turbine; To develop manufacturing processes and procedures for mass-production of substructures. These objectives should be achieved by 13 : A development and demonstration programme for new structures distant from shore aiming at lower visual impact and at different water depths (>30m) - at least 4 structure concepts should be developed and tested under different conditions; A demonstration programme on advanced mass-manufacturing processes of offshore structures. Figure 4 - European Wind initiative Research & Development focus, strand 2 actions. Over the period, offshore R&D activities concentrated on ensuring the take-off of the offshore sector. Development and testing of innovative support structures; Automation of substructures manufacturing; Technology transfer from the oil & gas sector. In order to accelerate the development of the offshore sector over the 2013 to 2015 period, attention should now shift on the following Actions: Development of reliable, innovative and cost effective fixed substructures for largescale offshore turbines (including their large-scale manufacturing and installation), and development of cost competitive floating structures for water depths beyond 60m; Development of strategies and requirements for an improved design and use of ports, vessels and installation methods (i.e. logistics), including the minimisation of environmental impacts; Reduction of operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, by improving logistics, components reliability and services; Development of tools and processes to accelerate the development of large offshore wind farms and wind farm clusters, including measurement systems for wind and waves, improved wind farm control systems and a database of environmental conditions for wind farm installations. 12 SEC(2009) SEC(2009)

21 2.1 State-of of-the the-art Offshore wind resource tends to be greater and more constant than onshore. Moreover, the installation of large-scale turbines faces fewer environmental constraints. Offshore wind energy s potential in terms of energy production is, ultimately, much greater than onshore. However, the offshore market is characterised by more costly and riskier projects, due to higher installation and O&M costs, multiple contractors, and to the immaturity of the sector (the economies of scale achieved in the onshore sector still have to be attained). Also, the turbine technology is different: in principle, offshore turbines should be larger (to justify higher installation costs), more reliable (to reduce O&M costs) and designed to face specific environmental conditions (greater wind loads, wave loads, corrosion and so on). Consequently, although the fundamentals of the technology are the same, it is clear that offshore wind technology will diverge further from the onshore one. Key issues to be addressed in the offshore sector are: Minimisation of maintenance requirements; Maximisation of access feasibility. A major design issue is, therefore, how best to trade the cost of minimising maintenance by increasing reliability, often at added cost in redundant systems or greater design margins, against the cost of systems for facilitating and increasing maintenance capability. Finally, substructures capable of bringing offshore turbines further from shore and into deeper waters are needed, in order to harvest the best wind resources. The main offshore R&D trends are, therefore, the following: Improvement of access (which is critical because lost production of faulty turbines is often the greatest cost penalty); Reduction of maintenance needs and enhancement of reliability; Reduction of tower top mass (to minimise foundation and installation costs, as well as facilitate turbines upscaling); Development of dedicated offshore designs; Development of new substructures for deep waters applications (including floating). Focusing R&D efforts on dedicated offshore turbines and substructures is very important, since they have the high impact on the capital cost of a typical offshore wind farm: Source: Wind Energy The Facts ( 21

22 The state-of-the-art for offshore wind turbine substructures is summarised in the table below: Source: Wind Energy The Facts ( The most important output of the FP7 HIPRWIND project, which is, so far, the EWI Strand 2 flagship action, is precisely the demonstration of floating solutions for the deployment of deep water wind turbines. HIPRWIND, which is the single largest EU R&D project in the offshore sector, is ongoing: its final results will be available in Other examples of floating concepts are: The Statoil HYWIND concept, which resulted in the installation, ten kilometres off the south-west coast of Norway, at a water depth of about 220 meters, of a Siemens 2.3MW turbine (80m rotor diameter) on a floating column of the spar-buoy type, a solution long established in oil and gas production platforms. Statoil is currently assessing possible locations for a future pilot park of 3-5 turbines, probably in the UK or the US; The SWAY system based on a floating foundation capable of supporting a 5MW turbine in water depths ranging from 80 to more than 300m in challenging locations. The tower is stabilised by elongation of the floating tower to approximately 100m under the water surface and by around 2000 tonnes of ballast at the bottom. Anchoring is secured with a single tension leg linked to the tower; The BLUE H prototype, installed using a concept similar to the tension-leg platform developed in the oil and gas industry. The installation took place off the south-eastern coast of Italy. 22

23 The development of the offshore sector up to 2012, with a first indication of the likely future developments, is outlined below: As indicated by the diagram, Clipper was supposed to develop a 10MW offshore prototype by 2012, but the project has been put on hold. Vestas, on the other hand, confirmed the deployment of an 8MW offshore prototype in As indicated under EWI Strand 1, onshore 7.5MW turbines (produced by Enercon) are already commercially available, the new Vestas 8MW offshore machine is a further step in upscaling. In terms of longer term developments, GE has recently begun designing a next generation direct-drive wind turbine of up to 15MW, using superconducting magnets and advanced technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nanocomposites. Longer, stronger blades, developed with new materials, will also be developed. This project should reduce generation costs and industry dependence on rare-earth materials. According to the 2012 JRC wind status report, a general trend of going to deeper waters especially where shallow waters are not available has been observed but this trend is counter-balanced by the related increased technical demands and according to Deloitte [2011], this will lead to an upward trend in offshore project costs during the next 10 years. However, most future wind farms will be developed at a maximum depth of 50m and at a distance of less than 50km from the shore. The following diagram shows the water depth of EU wind farms per country: 23

24 Source: 2012 JRC wind status report 2.2 Action 1: 1 : Development and demonstration of innovative sub-structures structures and floating structures The production and installation of substructures represents up to 40% of the capital expenditure (CAPEX) of offshore wind farms. The costs of offshore wind can be significantly reduced by reducing the cost of substructures. Focus should, therefore, be placed on the demonstration of new designs with lower installation costs and capable of being mass produced. The design, development, demonstration, production, installation and operation of reliable bottom-fixed substructures for the near-term market in deeper waters. Alternative, reliable and cost effective solutions for fixed foundations (for waters up to 60m) need to be developed and demonstrated. Also, design standards for more conventional substructures should be optimised for specific soil conditions. Finally, the EU manufacturing capacity of substructures needs to be increased to meet the EU 2020 targets, through ad-hoc infrastructural investments. The development of cost effective floating substructures for long-term applications. The development of new, cost effective and reliable substructures will be crucial for enabling the installation of large-scale turbines and bringing offshore wind power to deep waters. The fatigue strength and life expectancy of different fixed support structures need to be accurately assessed, especially when welded components are involved: more knowledge is needed to develop accurate predictions. Moreover, the assessment of soil stiffness and damping, reliable modelling of loads and global dynamics of the full structure need to be properly integrated into the design of new foundations. R&D projects aiming at such a holistic approach are, therefore, required. In parallel, additional projects for the development of floating foundations software models and scale-down testing will be required to design cost competitive, reliable floating structures. In particular, the economic soundness of floating foundations has to be properly demonstrated in order to enable large-scale deployment. This could lead to significant optimisation and re-design of existing concepts. 24

25 Any demonstration project should address integrated (turbine and substructure) concepts with multi-mw wind turbines and related equipment, in order to analyse all relevant issues (including offshore grid integration). Action 1 of EWI Strand 2 is divided into four main components, representing the main R&D priorities: Component 1: New bottom fixed substructures; Component 2: Mass manufacturing of substructures and logistics; Component 3: New modelling techniques; Component 4: Floating platforms. Potential R&D projects under Strand 2, Action 1 14 Component 1: Development of new bottom fixed substructure concepts to reduce costs, increase reliability, optimise installation and operation and minimising sea operations (water depths from 30m to 60m); Identification of cost effective substructure designs based on several demonstrators. Designs should be identified on the basis of life-cycle assessments, validation of components and cost, installation and O&M consideration. Component 2: Serial production of substructures with higher quality and reliability, including analysis of new materials (metal/concrete) and new production methods (such as plasma welding), increased use of robots and standardised sub-components; Mass manufacturing of steel, concrete or other materials substructures through the establishment of three new state-of-the-art production facilities; Innovative manufacturing, assembly, transport, installation and decommissioning processes for multi-megawatt floating foundations. Component 3: Development of detailed soil-pile interaction models for stiffness and damping estimation and validation of models with tests on different soil beds. Different soil properties should be identified through cone penetration, dynamic and static tests. The use of strain gauges and accelerometers should be taken into account and results should be compared to previous small scale tests; Development of numerical tools for integrated modelling of floating wind turbines. Component 4: Development of cost effective multi-mw floating platforms. Assessment of a set of floating concepts at lab or full scale for intermediate and deep water depths, including innovative wind turbine designs tailored to floating platforms; Demonstration of up to three prototypes of multi-mw wind floating platforms. Demonstrators should assess environmental conditions, simultaneous loads and performances under operational and extreme conditions; Launch of a coordinated action involving marine authorities, certification bodies and key industry players to ensure that design standards developed for floating structures are wind specific and not merely a transfer of oil & gas methodologies. Attention should focus also on inspection processes and non-destructive testing (NDT), since they can increase costs significantly. Table 6 Strand 2, Action 1 recommended activities Activity Description Budget Additional information on recommended projects will be provided in the framework of yearly EWI Work Programmes 25

26 number New bottom fixed substructures to minimise lifecycle costs. New concepts and designs. Improved reliability. New installation methods Mass manufacturing of substructures and improved logistics. Increased output and quality in manufacturing. Improved logistics New modelling techniques. Detailed soil-pile (structure) interaction models for stiffness and damping estimation and verification with tests on different soil beds. Numerical tools for integrated modelling of floating wind turbines Development and demonstration of multi-mw floating platforms. TOTAL 150m 150m 50m 150m 500m 2.3 Action 2: Efficient and a cost effective logistics Logistics are a considerably more complex and a larger cost component of offshore wind farms compared to onshore. An efficient use of vessels, ports and related onshore infrastructure is, therefore, essential for the industry to scale-up whilst keeping costs down. This Action focuses on strategies to improve the use of existing and future ports and vessels, minimise any potential environmental impact and enhance installation processes. Also, the proper installation and manufacturing of sub structures, wind turbines and cables will require improved logistics strategies. Better transport and installation methods will be specified to meet port layouts requirements and develop strategies for the efficient use of vessels, infrastructures and limited port space. Projects to develop innovative equipment for new installation and transport methods will also be needed. Finally, with an increased roll-out of offshore wind power 15, minimising environmental impacts during construction becomes all the more important. To achieve this, it is necessary to develop and test different mitigation strategies and technologies. New legislative proposals based on scientific studies should also be developed. Action 2 of EWI Strand 2 is divided into two main components, representing the main R&D priorities: Component 1: Facilities, infrastructure and logistics for offshore wind; Component 2: Reducing installation noise and environmental impact. Potential R&D projects under Strand 2, Action 2 16 Component 1: Develop facilities and ports for a smooth installation of tomorrow s large scale wind farms. Port requirements should be defined together with strategies for maximising the efficient use of limited space. New concepts such as artificial islands and floating platforms should also be analysed; Improved installation methods, vessels and equipment. Ad hoc logistics strategies to reduce costs should be developed for foundations, turbines, substations and cables. New access vessels, transfer systems and offshore facilities to optimise work 15 The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) expects 40 GW of offshore capacity to be installed in European waters by The Member States National Renewable Energy Action Plans add up to 43 GW of offshore capacity in the same time frame. 16 Additional information on recommended projects will be provided in the framework of yearly EWI Work Programmes 26

27 conditions and operation of wind farms far from shore should be studied and tested. New concepts for dedicated vessels, transfer systems, launch and recovery systems should be explored to improve safety and increase weather windows. Component 2: Measure and mitigate noise emissions and environmental impacts during installation. Ad hoc recommendations based on scientific evidence could also be developed. Table 7 Strand 2, Action 2 recommended activities Activity Description Budget number Facilities, infrastructures and logistics for offshore wind. 100m New and better ports management strategies. New and better vessels management strategies. Improved installation methods and logistics Reducing installation noise and environmental impact 50m TOTAL 150m 2.4 Action 3: Operation & Maintenance Reducing OPEX is becoming increasingly urgent, since their level is not compatible with the rapid expansion of the offshore sector. This will soon become even more crucial, since O&M costs will have a considerable impact on the management of wind farms in deep waters and far from shore. To achieve this reduction it is necessary to improve maintenance strategies, increase reliability of turbines, use standardised or modular components and develop better condition monitoring systems. Moreover, data sharing among turbine manufacturers, suppliers and operators should be encouraged in order to improve the overall O&M process. Action 3 of EWI Strand 2 is divided into two main components, representing the main R&D priorities: Component 1: Increased reliability ility and better O&M strategies; Component 2: Turbine life-time extension and decommissioning. Potential R&D projects under Strand 2, Action 3 17 Component 1 Analysis of component failures and their prediction through the development of systems providing reliable real time data. The results of the study can determine how increasing component redundancy and use of condition monitoring and SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems could improve reliability and reduce the amount of unplanned downtime; Development of new O&M strategies to reduce costs for existing and new wind farms, with a specific focus on large, far from shore and harsh met-ocean conditions. Component 2 Development of new life-time extension and decommissioning strategies, based on safe, cost effective and environmentally friendly methods. Critical aspects influencing life-time extension opportunities should be identified and transposition of bestpractice developed by other industries should be investigated. 17 Additional information on recommended projects will be provided in the framework of yearly EWI Work Programmes 27

28 Table 8 Strand 2, Action 3 recommended activities Activity Description Budget number Increased reliability and better O&M strategies. 50m Component failure. SCADA and condition monitoring. O&M strategies Turbine life-time extension and decommissioning. 10m TOTAL 60m 2.5 Action 4: Offshore wind farms design This action aims at optimising wind farm design models to improve their performance and operation. New measurement systems for wind, waves and loads, advanced control strategies and databases of European environmental conditions for offshore wind farms should be developed. Also, accurate energy yield predictions are becoming of paramount importance in the offshore sector. The size of projects, average distance from shore and water depths are gradually increasing, making precise predictions essential to manage operational and financial risks effectively. Special attention is required on the development of: Holistic wind farm design optimisation and validation through integration of all relevant modelling systems; Advanced control strategies to maximise energy yield and reduce wind turbine fatigue; Wind, wave and atmosphere measurement systems; Wind farm design best practices; An EU atlas of offshore environmental conditions and available infrastructure (wind, sea, soil, icing, scours, ports and other on- and offshore infrastructures). Action 4 of EWI Strand 2 is divided into three main components, representing the main R&D priorities: Component 1: Improved design models and practices. Component 2: Improved measurement technology. Component 3: EU offshore atlas. Potential R&D projects under Strand 2, Action 4 18 Component 1: Development and validation of design tools for very large, far from shore, deep water wind farms. Wake effects, energy yields and loads should be taken into account, together with external factors such as water depths, soil conditions and wind speeds; Definition of EU best practises for offshore wind farm design (including environmental parameters); Optimisation of offshore wind farm control systems to minimise fatigue loads while improving energy performance and reliability. The development of an ad hoc simulation and validation model is required. Component 2: Development of wind and wave measurement systems capable of operating for long periods in harsh offshore conditions. Demonstration of accurate, reliable and cost effective measurement technologies (such as floating platforms with remote-sensing equipment) should be sought. 18 Additional information on recommended projects will be provided in the framework of yearly EWI Work Programmes. 28

29 Component 3: Establishment of a European environmental atlas for offshore wind farm development, design, installation and operation. The atlas should include wind, wave, soil, icing, bathymetry, infrastructure and any other element impacting design and operation of future offshore wind farms. Such a project could feed into the ERANET+ action for the development of a new EU wind atlas (see FP Energy Work Programme). Table 9 Strand 2, Action 4 recommended activities Activity Description Budget number Development and validation of improved design models and 50m practices: Design tools; Control systems for reduced fatigue and improved production; Database of environmental conditions, turbine loads and power production (for validation); EU best practices Improved measurement technology 20m EU offshore atlas capturing wind, wave, soil and bathymetry 10m TOTAL 80m 2.6 Lighthouse projects in EWI Strand 2 Strand 2 potential lighthouse projects are the following (in order of importance). 1. Demonstration of multi-mw floating platform prototypes. Floating platforms are essential to exploit the full potential of offshore wind. Reliable platforms need to be designed, tested and validated. This project concerns Action 1 of Strand 2 and could be funded by Horizon Identification of substructure concepts that reduce production, installation and O&M costs while increasing reliability and life-time. For water depths up to 60m bottom-fixed substructures will continue to play a key role. It is, therefore, crucial to drive down their costs to bring down offshore wind costs. This project concerns Action 1 of Strand 2 and could be funded by Horizon Development and validation of design tools for very large, far from shore, deep water wind farms. This project could lead to the identification and development of ad hoc offshore wind turbines, with dedicated designs and unique characteristics (current offshore turbines tend to be marinised versions of onshore machines). This project concerns Action 4 of Strand 2 and could be funded by Horizon Construction and launch of a new EU network of three mass-manufacturing facilities of steel, concrete or other materials substructures. This project concerns Action 1 of Strand 2 and could be funded either through a combination of European Investment Bank (EIB) and national funds or through a new version of the EEPR. These facilities should have state-of-the-art equipment and make a considerable contribution to the production of substructures, in order to effectively meet the foreseeable increase of demand in the years to come (hence their indication as an EU network ). 29

30 3. Grid integration The third EWI Strand focuses on grid integration. Its technology objectives in 2009 were 19 : To demonstrate the feasibility of balancing power systems with high share of wind power using large-scale storage systems and High Voltage Alternative Current (HVAC) or High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) interconnections; To investigate wind farm management as virtual power plants 20. These objectives, not relevant anymore (since the redistribution of grid R&D tasks with the EEGI see Annex IV), were meant to be achieved by 21 : Interconnecting offshore wind farms to at least two countries combined with the use of different grid interconnection techniques; Long distance High Voltage Direct Current; Controllable multi-terminal offshore solutions with multiple converters and cable suppliers. Figure 4 - European Wind initiative Research & Development focus, strand 3 actions. Over the period, R&D activities focused on developing tools and techniques to ensure the integration of large amounts of variable electricity in the EU system. Relevant EWI actions focused on: Grid connection and power transmission; Secure and stable system dynamics; Balancing and market operation. Two major initiatives were launched to speed up grid integration of wind power. The FP7 TWENTIES project, which aims at demonstrating how new solutions can be used to ensure wind power integration; The EEPR, which provided considerable support to offshore grid development. Following the redistribution of grid R&D tasks with the EEGI, the 2013 to 2015 goals of the EWI grid integration strand are: To develop grid integration techniques enabling secure and cost-effective integration of high penetration levels of wind power; To develop and demonstrate optimal solutions for connecting offshore wind farms and clusters to future offshore networks; To develop and demonstrate methods for wind power management providing system support services with regard to market integration and combined operation with other power plants. 19 SEC(2009) Virtual Power Plant refers to the ability to aggregate power production and ancillary services from a cluster of grid-connected distributed generation (DG) sources by a centralized controller and then harmonize this generation with demand side load profiles, with other generators, and where applicable with energy storage 21 SEC(2009)

31 These goals should be reflected in Figures 1 and 4 of this Implementation Plan: the European Commission should therefore update the diagram illustrating the EWI Grid Integration Strand. The present European power system based on thermal power plants, hydro and onshore wind energy will transform into a renewables based system, in which wind and solar energy will play a key role. The EWI grid integration strand, therefore, needs to provide the necessary tools, technology and market mechanisms for wind energy to support the secure and cost-effective operation of the future EU power system. The successful transformation of the power system requires R&D and demonstration projects within the following Actions, coherent with the new EWI grid integration goals: Connection technologies for offshore and onshore wind power plants to AC and DC networks (including multi-terminal HVDC grids); Wind power capabilities for system support and Virtual Power Plant operation; Wind energy in the power market. 3.1 State-of of-the the-art Wind power, because of its very nature, is variable. Understanding its fluctuations and predicting them is, therefore, of primary importance for the integration and optimal utilisation of wind energy in the power systems. To reduce variability, wind plant output should be aggregated to the greatest extent possible, including by using virtual power plant solutions. Also, predictability is essential to managing wind power s variability: the larger the area, the better the overall prediction of aggregated wind power. Finally, the aggregation of wind farm output can increase the amount of firm wind power capacity in the system. The table below shows an example of smoothing effect, achievable by aggregating large quantities of wind power: Source: Wind Energy The Facts ( Established control methods and system reserves available can adequately deal with variability at wind energy penetration levels up to 20%. Above this threshold, changes to systems and their operating method may be required to accommodate further integration of wind energy. 31

32 To reduce integration efforts and costs, power system design needs to be more flexible. This goal is achievable through a combination of flexible generating units, flexibility on the demand side, availability of interconnection capacity and more flexible rules in the power market. Storage systems can also play a role, but demonstrating flexibility through wind energy technologies, such as the provision of ancillary services and the reduced variability of power output when wind farms are aggregated and operated in virtual power plants (VPP), may delay the need for energy storage. A geographical overview of the various impacts of wind in the power system is provided by the table below, which shows both the local and system-wide impacts as well as the short- and long-term impacts for affected aspects of the power system: Source: Wind Energy The Facts ( The EWI focuses entirely on what wind energy players can do to contribute to the overall stability of the system. It does not deal with the infrastructure or management of grids, which are tackled by grid operators in the framework of the EEGI. Connection technologies, wind forecasts, aggregation of wind farms and support services to the grid will, therefore, be the main focus of the EWI when it comes to grid-related R&D issues. When TPWind was established, grid R&D activities focused on developing tools and techniques to ensure the integration of large amounts of variable electricity in the EU system. Having created the conditions for a better management of high wind energy penetration levels in the EU system, the new strategic priority is to ensure that wind power players will contribute to a secure and cost-effective operation of the future EU power system. As a result, the attention is shifting from the grids infrastructural issues to the role of wind farms in improving their management: this is where the EWI will concentrate its efforts in terms of grid integration. The FP7 TWENTIES project, which will be completed in 2013, is, so far, the EWI Strand 3 flagship project. For the first time, it brings together, in an EU funded action, wind and grid operators to demonstrate precisely how new solutions can be used to ensure integration of wind power at high penetration levels. Specifically, the project focuses on how more flexibility can be brought to the electricity grid, what network operators can do to enable offshore wind development and what contribution wind players can bring to system service. TWENTIES is an essential contribution to the overall success of both the EWI and the EEGI. 32

33 3.2 Action 1: Connection technologies for offshore and onshore wind power plants to AC and DC networks (including ing multi-terminal terminal HVDC grids) In order to meet the ambitious EU 2020 targets, very large wind power plants or clusters of wind power plants must be installed, both onshore and offshore. Recently however, the arrival of HV DC voltage source converter (VSC) technology introduced the possibility of using DC lines to form grids, which opened new opportunities and created new technical challenges. The EWI should focus on specific R&D issues relating to the connection of wind turbines, wind power plants and wind power clusters to AC, DC, multi-terminal and meshed DC grids. Wind power plants need to take connection specific requirements into account to provide optimal power system support. Frequency support by DC-connected wind power plants is of special significance. Standardised components will make the connection of wind power plants more reliable and cost effective. Generic models of large-scale HVDC grids will enable more precise system studies with high penetrations of wind power, where the system is no longer stabilised with the rotating mass of large conventional power stations. Grid connection best practices should be defined and the potential and limitations of relevant system services should be explored. Since the first projects are coming online with large-scale wind power plants and HVDC connections, relevant best practices in design and implementation should be identified. Also, the potential and limitations of system services of those wind power plants should be explored. Finally, the newly developed solutions for HVDC connection will have to be tested and validated in a demonstration project. All these R&D activities build on the 2 nd cluster of the ENTSO-E R&D Plan 22, Power technology for a more flexible, observable and controllable pan-european transmission grid and support project abstract 6.4 Demonstrations of power technology for novel network architecture. They also build on The European Electricity Grid Initiative (EEGI) Roadmap and Detailed Implementation Plan , in particular functional project D6 System Integration of medium size renewable 23. Action 1 of EWI Strand 3 is divided into three main components, representing the main R&D priorities: Component 1: Connection to multi-terminal terminal offshore grids; Component 2: Electrical design of wind power plants and connection to networks (AC or DC, onshore or offshore); Component 3: Experience from existing HVDC connected wind power plants. Potential R&D projects under Strand 3, Action 1 24 Component 1: Control architecture and co-ordination of protection and control between wind power plants (WPP) and HVDC networks, including R&D in compatibility issues, generic grid modelling, optimum configurations and pre-standardisation to develop plug-and-play solutions. Component 2: 22 ENTSO-E, Final R&D plan European grid towards 2020 challenges and beyond (March 23 rd, 2010). Available at: 23 EEGI, 2010, Roadmap and Implementation plan (May 25 th, 2010). Available at 24 Additional information on recommended projects will be provided in the framework of yearly EWI Work Programmes. 33

34 Optimum configurations of power collection grids, taking into account capital costs, operating costs, electrical losses and reliability. This project could see the implementation of multi-terminal / HVDC solutions; Alternative technologies to WPP grid design such as DC collection grids, high frequency collection grids, low frequency collection and transmission and variable frequency collection grids. This project could see the implementation of multi-terminal / HVDC solutions; Integrated analysis of the influence of grid and fault control on electrical and mechanical design and stresses on wind turbines. Component 3: Synchronised measurements on HVDC and power collection grid, both in normal operating conditions and during faults. The data collected through ad hoc measurement campaigns can be used to develop new models of WPPs connected to HVDC transmission systems; Controller performance review in normal and fault situations, with specific focus on the interaction between the HVDC and the wind power plant / wind turbine controllers. This project could see the implementation of multi-terminal / HVDC solutions; Data collection on protection coordination between HVDC network and wind power plant AC collection grid, as well as on reliability and availability of WPPs and HVDC grids. This project could see the implementation of multi-terminal / HVDC solutions. Table 10 Strand 3, Action 1 recommended activities Activity Description Budget number Connection to multi-terminal offshore grids 30m Electrical design of wind power plants and connection to 20m networks (AC or DC, onshore or offshore) Experience from existing HVDC connected wind power plants 15m TOTAL 65m 3.3 Action 2: Wind power capabilities for system support and Virtual Power Plant operation This Action focuses on the development of tools and techniques for wind turbines and farms support to system integration, as well as for their operation as Virtual Power Plants. Its main goal is to help system operators (TSOs and DSOs) and wind farm developers to optimally integrate wind power in the system. Generic wind power plant models should be developed to be used in system integration studies at both plant level (design, verification and optimisation) and at transmission or distribution level. Wind power should also be used to actively contribute to system reliability by providing ancillary services (sometimes called grid services or grid support services). Relevant technical and control options should be investigated and demonstrated, for individual wind turbines, wind farms and clusters. Moreover, a number of test facilities for wind power plant capabilities should be set up. Also, common testing procedures and innovative measurement techniques should be developed. Finally, ancillary services best practice should be defined and disseminated. This Action is related to the 3 rd cluster of the ENTSO-E R&D plan, Network management and control and supports project abstracts 6.5 Demonstrations for renewables integration and 6.13 Tools for the integration of active demand in the electrical system operations. 34

35 Action 2 of EWI Strand 3 is divided into three main components, representing the main R&D priorities: Component 1: Wind plant modelling for system studies; Component 2: Ancillary services; Component 3: Testing of wind power plant capabilities (methods and facilities). Potential R&D projects under Strand 3, Action 2 25 Component 1: Development and validation of generic models to study wind farm support services, including their benchmarking and other methods of validation. Models are intended to simulate frequency and voltage control, fault ride-through (FRT), calculate shortcircuit and harmonic contributions, aiming to simulate aggregated phenomena and impacts at farm and wider level. Wind plant models are intended for studies at transmission and distribution level aiming to simulate aggregated phenomena and impacts at farm and wider level including extremely weak grids and island systems. Component 2: Technical options (hardware), control methods and operational concepts (VPP, portfolio) to provide ancillary services to the power system. These should include control strategies for reserve provision, voltage support also during network disturbances and provision of service both at turbine and aggregate level through combined control; Data collection and analysis of wind farm abilities to provide ancillary services in order to recommend improvements to optimise their delivery; Optimal ancillary services design (economic and market aspects) to avoid curtailment. The project should include demonstrators in various markets and on different ancillary services technologies. The project should be a starting point for a larger activity embracing all renewables. Component 3: Establishment of an EU network of test facilities enabling the validation of wind power plant capabilities like fault ride through. Development of test methods that meet TSO requirements. These should include methods and procedures for systems connected to HVDC networks. Table 11 Strand 3, Action 2 recommended activities Activity Description Budget number Wind plant modelling for system studies 10m Ancillary services: 50m Ancillary services design and provision; VPPs Testing of wind power plant capabilities (methods and 50m facilities) TOTAL 110m 3.4 Action 3: Wind energy in the power market This Action deals with the integration of large amounts of wind power in the electricity markets and focuses on two main areas of research: Wind power plant operation and wind energy ancillary services in electricity markets, including optimal market set-up and assets operation; 25 Additional information on recommended projects will be provided in the framework of yearly EWI Work Programmes. 35

36 Wind energy forecasting, to support electricity markets and power system management in high penetration scenarios. Firstly, the impact of wind on electricity market players and on electricity prices should be assessed. This would contribute to improve the power system with automation and commercial measures, e.g. adequate system coordination methods, which involve international intraday markets relying on data from wind power prediction systems. The optimal market set-up to incentivise the use of ancillary services from wind turbines should also be defined. Relevant technologies should be demonstrated and provision of services in different markets and with different technologies analysed (ancillary services market aspects are dealt with in the framework of Strand 3, Action 3, Component 2 Ancillary Services ). Also, wind energy forecasting will play a crucial role in improving future system security. Wind forecasting should, therefore, be improved with a strong participation of the meteorological community. End user decision support tools to handle and exploit the probabilistic forecasts developed by current forecasting tools should, also, be improved. Research in this area is in line with Research Area IS Integrated truly sustainable, secure and economic electricity Systems of the Smart Grids European Technology Platform 26 and in particular with Research Tasks IS.1 Ancillary services, sustainable operations and low level Dispatch: Smart Integrated Ancillary System Services and IS.2 Advanced forecasting techniques for sustainable operations and power supply: Smart Look-Ahead System Demand and Supply. Moreover, this Action supports the second and fourth cluster of the ENTSO-E 27 R&D plan, 2011 version: Power technology - Affordable technology to make the transmission system more intelligent and flexible and Market rules - Market simulation techniques to develop a single European electricity market, in particular Functional Projects T10 Advanced tools for pan-european balancing markets and T12 Tools for renewable Market integration. Action 3 of EWI Strand 3 is divided into two main components, representing the main R&D priorities: Component 1: Impact and operation of wind power on electricity markets; Component 2: Improving wind power forecasting techniques es and utilisation. Potential R&D projects under Strand 3, Action 3 28 Component 1: Impact of wind energy on market prices, especially on intra-day and ancillary services markets. Trading strategies for energy and ancillary services from wind, also when connected to multiple power systems (multi-terminal offshore). Once developed, they will minimise stress on portfolio of assets under near-optimal trading strategies. The project should include further development of forecasting methods for optimal trading. This project could see the implementation of multi-terminal / HVDC solutions. 26 Smart Grids SRA 2035: Strategic Research Agenda. Update of the Smart Grids SRA 2007 for the needs by the year Smart Grids European Technology Platform, March 2012 (see Additional information on recommended projects will be provided in the framework of yearly EWI Work Programmes. 36

37 Component 2: Improved point predictions with better meteorological modeling and data assimilation, probabilistic forecast and spatial-temporal correlations. Extreme conditions, in complex terrain and offshore, including improved scenario generation, should also be taken into consideration; Optimal use of wind power forecasts for end user needs. Development of optimal decision support tools for high wind penetration that integrate probabilistic forecast information. Applications such as reserves estimation, wind-storage coordination, VVP management, power system scheduling, congestion management and others are of interest. As a result, forecasts will be optimised for different cost functions. Additional information on recommended projects will be provided in the framework of yearly EWI Work Programmes. Table 12 Strand 3, Action 3 recommended activities Activity Description Budget number Impact and operation of wind power on electricity markets 30m Improving wind power forecasting techniques and utilisation 30m TOTAL 60m 3.5 Lighthouse projects in EWI Strand 3 Strand 3 potential lighthouse projects for the 2013 to 2015 period are the following (in order of importance): 1. Technical options (hardware), control methods and operational concepts (VPP, portfolio) to provide ancillary services to the power system. These should include control strategies for reserve provision, voltage support also during network disturbances and provision of service both at turbine and aggregate level through combined control. This project concerns Action 2 of Strand 3 and could be funded by Horizon Control and coordination of wind power plants and HVDC networks, including compatibility issues and standardisation for plug-and-play solutions. This project is expected to greatly facilitate the development and deployment of offshore wind. It concerns Action 1 of Strand 3 and could be funded by Horizon Optimal ancillary services design (in terms of economic and market aspects) to avoid curtailment. The study should include demonstrators in various markets and on different ancillary services technologies. If successful, the project could be starting point for a larger project embracing all renewables. This project concerns Action 2 of Strand 3 and could be funded by Horizon Establishment of an EU network of test facilities enabling the validation of fault ride through. Tests should be carried out on the basis of common standards to be agreed with grid operators. These should include methods and procedures for systems connected to HV DC networks. Harmonisation of methods for the validation and simulation of grid codes should also be taken into consideration. This project concerns Action 2 of Strand 3 and could be implemented either through a combination of European Investment Bank (EIB) and national funds or through a new version of the EEPR. 37

38 4. Resource assessment, spatial planning and social acceptance As we approach 2020, new wind farms, both onshore and offshore, will have to be increasingly sensitive to their surroundings while at the same time offering sufficient rates of return to attract investment. A detailed knowledge of the climatic conditions (wind, waves, ice, temperatures and so on) will therefore be fundamental to maximising the investment of a wind farm while minimising its impact. Improved knowledge of wind conditions will: Reduce cost of capital through a reduction in resource assessment uncertainty; Reduce cost of energy through turbine designs with less allowance for the uncertainty in climatic conditions; Mitigate technical constraints. For example, a reliable wind rose will help determining the appropriate separation between a wind farm and its transmission infrastructure. Detailed knowledge of climatic conditions will also assist network operators when considering dynamic line ratings; Improve understanding of environmental constraints interacting with climatic conditions (e.g. acoustic, electromagnetic and so on). For these reasons, the fourth EWI Strand focuses on resource assessment, spatial planning and social acceptance. Its technology objectives are 29 : To assess and map wind resources across Europe and to reduce forecasting uncertainties of wind energy production; To develop spatial planning methodologies and tools taking into account environmental and social aspects; To address and analyse social acceptance of wind energy projects including promotion of best practices. These objectives should be achieved by the following Actions 30 : Wind measurement campaigns; Database on wind data, environmental and other constraints; Spatial planning tools and methodologies for improved designs and production. Over the period, work focused on: Wind resource assessment; Spatial planning instruments; Social acceptance analysis. Attention should now shift towards the following areas of research: Integrated climatic conditions; Environmental research; 29 SEC(2009) SEC(2009)

39 Offshore planning; Economic studies. 4.1 State-of of-the the-art Wind resource assessment The methods for carrying out wind resource forecasts are well established. However, their accuracy needs to be increased, since wind forecasting has a major impact in predicting a site s energy production and, therefore, its profitability, as indicated by the table below: Source: Wind Energy The Facts ( Today, many wind atlases are available, at national, regional or local level. An EU atlas was developed by Risoe (now DTU Wind) in 1989 and is publicly available online 31. In order to update it and provide investors with better information on EU wind resources (both on- and offshore), a new EU wind atlas will be developed in the framework of EWI Strand 4. The project should be launched in 2014 at the latest and be finalised in The new EU wind atlas will also enable the development of better models to improve the design of wind turbines. Ad-hoc measurement campaigns will be carried out to validate them. For future developments, important R&D topics are: Improving the accuracy of pre-construction prediction (also in terms of seasonal and yearly variations): the better the measurements, the lower the financial risk in the development of a wind farm; Refining and validating models against measured data. Wind farms record huge volumes of data, whose quality and use could be improved to verify current models and assumptions; Improving the understanding of climate patterns to predict long-term changes in the wind resource; Enhancing short-term forecasts to facilitate the integration of higher volumes of wind power. The FP7 SAFEWIND project, completed in 2012, aimed precisely at improving wind power predictability, especially in challenging or extreme situations and at different temporal and spatial scales. For this reason, it is one of EWI Strand 4 flagship projects so far

40 Spatial planning and social acceptance When it comes to spatial planning and social acceptance, several issues should be taken into consideration, as indicated in the next sections of this document: The environmental impact (and benefits) of wind power; Spatial planning procedures (particularly offshore); The calculation of the cost of wind energy; The economic and social benefits of wind power (which can be enhanced by adequate industrial policies). Several studies have been carried out so far in these fields, the most relevant ones being: The IEE WIND BARRIERS, WINDSPEED and SEANERGY 2020 projects, focusing mainly on spatial planning and administrative obstacles to the development of wind power; The IEE RESCOOP project, dealing with the economic and social value of wind energy (and therefore with social acceptance). Because of their contribution to improving spatial planning procedures and social acceptance of wind energy, these actions represent EWI Strand 4 flagship projects. However, much still needs to be done. In terms of environmental impacts, more research is needed to ensure a better protection of wind farm sites landscapes, flora and fauna. At the same time, the many positive impacts of wind power should be highlighted more clearly, to enable better environmental analyses. Not all energy sources have the same negative environmental effects or natural resources depletion capability. Fossil energies exhaust natural resources and are mostly responsible for environmental impacts. On the other hand, wind power produces few environmental impacts, and these are significantly lower than those produced by conventional energies. The following table provides an overview of the total emissions (CO2, SO2 and NOx) avoidable by wind energy in the EU in 2020, according to EWEA s reference scenario: Source: Wind Energy The Facts ( Wind and other renewable could replace the following fossil fuel-based electricity generation in the EU by 2020: 40

41 Source: Wind Energy The Facts ( These tables clearly indicate some of the most obvious environmental benefits of wind power. More research is however needed to grasp and evaluate them all, also in view of the importance they have in influencing social acceptance. Better spatial planning and permitting procedures will be essential to take full advantage of the benefits of wind power. This will be particularly important offshore, which is developing rapidly (soon also outside the North Sea). As for the cost of energy, EWEA developed an Online Electricity Cost Calculator 32, allowing users to project the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) generated by new gas, coal, nuclear, on- and offshore wind power plants. The levelised cost of electricity is defined as the actualized kwh cost over the whole lifetime of the project, taking into account the present value (2010) of all cost components. This tool represents an important step into clarifying how the LCOE should be calculated, because it is publicly accessible, allows users to modify its assumptions and is based on a methodology in which the fuel and carbon cost components are taken into account, together with the corresponding risk associated with their price volatility. These factors are often not taken into consideration when calculating LCOEs. However, this leads to a distorted representation of the cost of different energy generating technologies. Removing fuel and carbon cost risks, by increasing security of energy supply and reducing the EU s dependency on oil and gas exporting countries, are some of the most important benefits of wind power and should therefore be properly measured. Another key benefit of wind energy, which should be considered to evaluate its overall contribution to the economy and society, is the creation of new jobs. According to EWEA s 2012 Green Growth report 33, the EU wind energy sector created 30% more jobs from 2007 to 2010 to reach nearly 240,000, while EU unemployment rose by 9.6%. By 2020, there should be 520,000 jobs in the sector. The sector was also a net exporter of 5.7 billion worth of goods and services in 2010, while avoiding 5.71 billion of fuel costs and investing 5% of its spending in R&D (three times more than the EU average)

42 Finally, in terms of social acceptance, the May 2011 Eurobarometer (the last one focusing on energy issues) indicates that wind power enjoys broad support amongst EU citizens and is second only to solar energy. This shows that social acceptance issues are mainly of local origin and limited to wind farm sites: there is no fundamental opposition to wind power. The following table indicates to which extent EU citizens are in favour or opposed to several sources of energy in their country: Source: Special Eurobarometer 364: public awareness and acceptance of CO2 capture and storage 4.2 Action 1: Integrated climatic conditions The publication of topic ENERGY (ERA-NET Plus on European wind resources assessment) in the FP7 Energy Work Programme 2013 was one of the most significant achievements of the EWI in the period. A new EU wind atlas, validated by adhoc measurement campaigns, accompanied by new wind energy physics models and providing a comprehensive spatial planning tool to decision-makers, is crucial to the development of wind power. Moreover, the wind atlas project will reinforce cooperation with and between Member States and increase funding coherence at EU level, both of which are key SET-Plan principles. This is the first EWI project to receive coordinated EU and national funding and represents the basis for further cooperation activities in the framework of Horizon Having achieved this key goal, work in the framework of this Action should now focus on expanding the assessment of design conditions with respect to very large wind turbines and wind farms, both on- and offshore. These R&D activities will be in parallel to the new EU wind atlas project and will deal with wind resources, loads and design conditions for large turbines (wind forecasts are already covered in this EWI Implementation Plan by Strand 3 and the new EU wind atlas project). Understanding the complex multi-scale aerodynamics involved with modern wind farm systems is a significant technical challenge for future innovation and it represents one of the largest potential sources of cost reduction. Large wind plants comprised of multi-megawatt turbines arranged in multiple arrays are the preferred installation paradigm with the lowest capital cost and the resulting deployment, often in complex terrain, produced unique opportunities to drive down the levelised cost of energy (LCOE). A better understanding of the complex wind flow into and out of the wind turbine environment, as well as the resulting impact on individual turbines, is essential to reduce the risk for wind energy developers, financiers and owner/operators, hence driving down the cost of wind energy. Action 1 of EWI Strand 4 is divided into two main components, representing the main R&D priorities: 42