Abstract
At the end of 2019, 10.5 GW of wind capacity was installed in Italy, all onshore. The National Integrated Climate and Energy Plan sets a target of 18.4 GW of onshore wind capacity and 0.9 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030. Significant exploitation of offshore wind resources in Italy is expected after 2030, using floating wind turbines, suitable for water depths greater than 50 m. This technology is at the demonstration phase at present. Results of a preliminary techno-economic assessment of floating wind plants in Italian marine areas in a medium (2030) and long-term (2060) scenario are presented. In 2030, a reference park with 10 MW wind turbines will be defined, and parametric costs, depending on distance from shore, were assessed. In 2060, possible wind resource variations due to climate change, and cost reductions due to large diffusion of the technology were considered in three case studies. The economic model used was the simple Levelized Cost of Energy (sLCoE). Different values of Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) were considered too. The results show LCoEs comparable to the ones expected for the sector in 2030. In 2060, even in the more pessimistic scenario, wind resource decreases will be abundantly compensated by expected cost reductions.
Highlights
It is universally recognized that global warming and related climate changes are caused by anthropogenic emissions of climate-altering gases into the atmosphere
Contains the value of the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE) calculated for increasing CF from top to bottom
The authors present a long-term approach that aims to evaluate the electricity costs produced by floating offshore wind farms in Italy, considering effects of climate change on wind energy production and further costs optimization due to development and large diffusion of this technology
Summary
It is universally recognized that global warming and related climate changes are caused by anthropogenic emissions of climate-altering gases into the atmosphere. In order to contain the increase in global temperatures to below 1.5 ◦ C, compared to pre-industrial levels, incisive measures must be quickly adopted. Following the Paris Agreement (COP21, 2015), many countries have committed to reducing emissions and various initiatives are already in place to encourage the so-called decarbonization of the various sectors. One-third of emissions is generated by electricity production, where decarbonization is strictly related to the increasingly massive energy production from renewable sources. The European Commission is one of the main players in this transition, setting ambitious and binding renewable targets for its member states. At the European level, a target of 20% and 32% renewable energy on gross final consumption was set at 2020 (Directive 2009/28/EC)
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