Connecting offshore wind

摘要

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) estimates that 75,000MWe of windpower capacity could be installed by 2010 across the European Union's (EU) 25 member states; but only through offshore technology requiring investment for network planning, dynamic reactive power compensation, and transmission networks. In 2003, Europe was the largest windpower market, accounting for nearly 75 per cent (29,000MWe) of the global capacity (39,000MWe). Its transmission network was originally designed with large reserve margins, and high quality transmission systems - although it suffers from weak interconnections. It was never intended that the network would handle large power transfers between countries and load centres. Some European states are planning for windpower penetrations of between 20 and 40 per cent by 2010, combined with a reduction of electricity from thermal power plants. This can only be met with the construction of offshore windfarms interfaced with the existing transmission network. However, such farms produce an unreliable output due to the vagaries of the region's wind profile and so can not meet demand. Without action there could be major problems with fluctuating power quality, frequency and outages. In addition a secure transmission network for windpower generated electricity into the grid is still being sought.