Middelgrundden Offshore Windmill Farm

Danish energy policy and Middelgrunden Off-shore Wind FarmJens H. M. Larsen, M.Sc.Copenhagen Environment and Energy OfficeEnergysavings Local information and implementationDanish Network of EnergycentersDanish Energy PolicyDanish olie in 1972 and oliecrisis in 1973Energyplans in year 76, 81, 90,Year 1996 (Energy 21)Green majority in parliment 1980-2000New libral goverment in 2001Danish Energy Policy - updateLiberal Energy MarketElectricity Saving Fund, labelling ect.Energy savings in buildings, new regulation2 % energy saving pr. year2 new offshore windfarmsRetrofit of 350 MW new wind on landNew Danish Wind PolicyNo new capacity 2003-2006Low expectations for newcapacity after 2007Market + Added price(Max 0.049 euro/ kWh)History of Danish WindpowerHistory of Danish WindpowerGedser møllen, 200 kWInstalled 1957shut down, 1967Testrun in 1977 was financed by US governmentHistory of Danish WindpowerOil crisis 1979First modern turbine from 198215 - 45 kW for private householdPrivately buildFriend – to - friendHistory of Danish WindpowerReady for the big boom in USA 1985 - 8820.8% of electricity in Denmark comes from Wind in 2004Why did we have this success ?Bonus 2MWTower 64 mTop 102 mRotor Ø 76 m, equal to the wings of a Boeing 74718 RPM/12 RPMFundation1800 tonsConcreteGravityWindspeed to power ratioTower8 levels in the towerLevel 1: communicationLevel 2 : shiftgearLevel 3 : transformerLevel 4 : controle systemTop and bottom have a dehumidifying plantGrid connection - seacabelTwin 30 kW sea cable are drawn to power plants on the coastLocal connection from turbine to turbineTurbine No 10 servs as cable hub for all cablesA beautiful viewBuilding foundationsMoving foundationFoundation on siteThe park take shapeRotor in harborJack up ... lifting 165 tonsCables floating..Turbine..The beauty in the windLessons learned in construction3. main contracts (turbine, foundation, grid connection)Structure of organization is importantInterface between contracts are importantSpecial when you change the process1. Tower section installed in dry dockSwitchgear and transformer installed in dry dockA larger floating craneTime interface between contractors are importantVery tight time scheduleLessons learned about foundationExtra mould for concrete casting because of time scheduleChange in seabed preparationSeabed was more liquidCompaction of rock cushion more time consumingInjection under foundation was necessaryLarger crane demanded higher water depth and made tide a factor (plus wind and waves)Foundation placed 20-38 cm too high (wrong pressure gauge calibrating). One will be modified to fulfill its role as icebreakerLessons learned in grid connectionGood that switchgear and transformer was installed in dry-dock (more than 30 work operations)Submarine cables operation work as plannedSubmarine cables to land is not all 1 meter below seabedDifficult cable installation inside tower because of narrow spaceTime-consuming test of total installation3 accidents with damage on submarine sea cableLessons learned in construction IITotal delay of 3-4 monthThe turbine tender has to be conducted before the foundation in order to avoid changes in the detailingLogistics is heavy both on land and at seaAll operations have to be tested in advance - also the ones looking simple, as all operations are complicated offshoreCarry out as many operations onshore as possibleTransport of people to the turbines offshore has to be organized very carefullySuccessive starting of turbines was not easyMoist in the turbine tower was higher than expected before turbines came into operation.Wind turbine Co-operativeBig scale wind energy for the cityLocal placementLocal dialogLocal ownershipInvolve of people in processExample of Agenda 21 and cityecologyHistory of cooperativesN.F.S. Grundtvig, 1783Theologian, author and poetEveryone can and must make a differenceChange his conditions of lifeCountry high schoolsFarmers educationDK agriculture and industry organzed by coopsWind turbine Co-operative8527 members private, organizations, companies40,500 sharesInvolvement of 8500 people500 members visited their turbine on open-house day in June 2005DebateDebateGreen landmark for CopenhagenSaid by the: Danish Minister of Environment, Conni Hedegaard, member of danish ConservativesDanish opinions about windpower70-85% of people in Denmark support more windpower in Denmark (from 1992-2006)People are pleased with existing turbines and the positive attitude is highest among those who can see the turbines every day.Positive attitude is also highest among those who can see the offshore turbines every day.Complaints from less than 2% of all turbines (mostly old noisy turbines, not allowed today)Danish opinion poll, ACN, 2006, Wild about windAre you favorable to wind power?Danish opinion poll, ACN, 2006, Wild about windShould Denmark continuously erect new wind turbines, so that an increasing share of the electricity production is covered by wind power?Danish opinion poll, ACN, 2006, Wild about windWe should erect more wind turbines, but not in my local area ?Danish opinion poll, ACN, 2006, Wild about windWind turbines in the landscape is a positive symbol of Denmark?Danish opinion poll, ACN, 2006, Wild about windIn general, wind turbines integrates well into the Danish landscape?Offshore opinion poll 2006, 1400 personsPeople with direct views for turbines at Horns Reef and Nysted are more positive than people in general, and more positve towards extension of the farmsNysted, 9-10 km from coast, pay 1200 DDK to go 50 km from coast.People in general; 900 DDK to go 50 km from coast.Horns Rev, 14-20 km from coast, pay 600 DDK to go 50 km from coast.TouristTourist opinion poll about Middelgrunden, 2006Are you favorable to wind power?Tourist opinion poll about Middelgrunden, 2006What is your impression of the turbines outside Copenhagen harbour?Danish opinion poll by Sonar, 2001 What do you think about wind power in Denmark ?DebateDebateEnvironmental Impact Assesment EIAVisual impactRisk of leaking: debris and heavy metals contamination from the former dumpsiteNoise propagationInfluence on the free flow of water i OresundRisk of collision with vesselsImpact on flora and faunaFishingRisk of shipwrecks and findings of archaeological interestBenefits for the Environment89.000 MWh per. Year3% of electricity in CopenhagenGives clean air :261 tons SO2234 tons NO276500 tons CO24950 tons cinders and ashVisual impact 1Visual impact 2Visual impact 3Noise propagationImpact on the free flow of water i OresundThe Baltic Sea is refreshed by water from the Danish straitsReduced flow by 0,0012%Compensation treament was not justifiedRisk of collision with vesselsResult; Reduced risk of oil spill.Oresund is a busy seaways, 20.000 ships a year.Simulations have shown 8% risk of one collision to turbine pr. year.But reduced ground collison 120% to 40% a year because the low water will become visibleShips and airplanesShips, result; Reduced risk of oil spill.No conflicts with airplanes or radar.Impact on flora and faunaNo negative influence after 3 yearsVegetation was to be controlled prior to construction, three months after, and on yeare afterTree months later the sea bed had more or less recovered, and the faundations were covered with seaweedConclusion: The faundations served as minireefsFine recovery of eelgrass after the constructionBirds at MiddelgrundenNo effect on birdsOr positive effectBirds often collide with high voltage lines, masts, poles, and windows in buildings. They are also killed by cars and shot.Birds are seldom bothered by wind turbines, however.Fishing in the areaCompensation for ”no fishing” during the constructionFishing allowed around the cabelsBetter fishing place becaus of the faundations ”minireefs”Risk of shipwrecksMany shipwrecks in the areaNo archaeological sites was foundCould have delayed the construchen with 1 yearShadowDistance to housing min. 500 mNo problem at MiddelgrundenThe cost of the wind farmKey figures (40 MW)Economy for shareholderEconomy for shareholder (6 years)Consumerprice for electricity in Denmark in 2006 is 0,207 euro/kWhPrices in 2006MG feed in tarif = 0,0577 euro/kWhMarkedprice = 0,0460 euro/kWhWindpower, marked = 0,0416 euro/kWhLessons learnedLong planning proces (starts in 1993)Conflicts (NIMB, fishing, historic landscape, utility. policy)Myth and factsNew liberalised electricity lawNo single authority and no planning proceduresNo regulation on private off-shoreOrganization of 8500 members (public awareness)Public dialog important (public awareness)Visual impact (from 27 to 20 turbines)Co-operation important (Wind turbine co-operative, municipality and utility)Policy (parliament, local parliament,commitment of mayor)RecommendationsPeople must be involved in relevant part of processProblems with acceptance can be avoidedContact for interest groups and authorities in early stageDissemination of appropriate information in right timeMany reservations were based on the fear of negative impactWe took relevant and critical reaction into account by changing the design of the windfarmWhy private and local turbines ?More actors in the market gives you more turbines !Local and private took the initiative for 81% of all turbines in DenmarkLocal people create local dialogue and acceptance and prevent the NIMBY effectLocal ownership raises public awarenessLocal ownership solves problems and conflictsPrivate investment promotes cheaper and better technologyWhy private and local turbines ?Local production saves 10 % energy (less transmission loss)Local production demands less transmission linesLocal production makes sustainable development understandableGives people opportunity to act for sustainable developmentLocal turbines give power to democracy and less power to the marketLocal turbines give price stability on electricity marketConclusionFeed-in tarif, grid connection law, and local investment has formed the basis for wind power success in DenmarkMiddelgrunden windfarm showed that offshore can be done for low cost and with no enviromental problemsDemonstration value was and is bigLocal demonstration projects is still very important !Now it is a green landmark for Copenhagen and local people are proud of MiddelgrundenThe 20% windscenario for USADenmark have 20% wind – can you do the same?To achieve 20 % wind energy you need 250-340.000 MW.You need 15.000 MW/y for 20 years – or 20 times the “Cape Cod” project each year for 20 years.So you really have to do something – time is a factor – and you ́ll have to start now!You need examples of how you can do it (policy, technology, economy, democracy, involvement)If you save 50% you “only” need 50% wind energy to achieve the same wind penetrationWe have done it in Denmark today – you can do it if you want!Recommendations for US contextWind is the cheap and clean – push for local projects !20 % windenergy is achieved in Denmark – you can do the sameDanes are positive for more wind – hope US will do the sameOff-shore wind is a realistic options, especially close to loadcenterMore at www.middelgrunden.dkThank you for your attention !Standarddesign