Influence of Size on the Economic Feasibility of Floating Offshore Wind Farms

Laura Castro-Santos,Almudena Filgueira-Vizoso,Carlos Álvarez-Feal,Luis Carral

doi:10.3390/su10124484

Laura Castro-Santos, Almudena Filgueira-Vizoso + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su10124484

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Journal: Sustainability	Publication Date: Nov 28, 2018
Citations: 21	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of A Coruña

Abstract

This paper uses a method to analyze the economic influence of the size of floating offshore wind farms. The economic aspects analyzed, LCOE (Levelized Cost Of Energy) and costs, depend on the number of floating offshore wind turbines, which establishes the effect of the size of the farm. This influence has been carried out for a map in a specific location. Regarding the case study, 18 alternatives have been considered taking into account the total power of the farm and the types of floating platforms. These aspects have been studied for the location of Galicia (Spain). Results indicate how LCOE and costs vary when the size of the floating offshore wind farm is increased for the studied kinds of offshore structures. Results are useful for planning an offshore wind farm in deep waters in future investments.

Highlights

Renewable energies have been used for centuries [1]
It is important to notice the relevance of the size an offshore wind farm during recent years, which has increased from 46.3 MW in 2006 to 379.5 MW in 2016 [6]
The objective of this paper is to analyze the importance of the size of the farm in the economic aspects (LCOE (Levelized Cost Of Energy) and costs) of a floating offshore wind farm installed in deep waters [24,43]

Summary

Introduction

Renewable energies have been used for centuries [1]. The European Union believes in these types of energies, representing 86% of the new power installations in this area and generating 21.1 GW [2]. Spain has the second position of wind energy installed power, following Germany, which stays at the first position [2]. The UE has 153.7 GW installed of wind power at the end of 2016, of which 12.6 GW are offshore and 141.1 GW are onshore [2]. Considering the onshore wind power cumulative capacity to 2030, there are three scenarios: low, central and high considering the “Wind energy in Europe: Scenarios for 2030” Report of Wind Europe [4]. In this context, Germany is the first country, followed by France and Spain. Spain is not in the forecasts for the future of offshore wind

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Conclusion