Site selection of floating offshore wind through the levelised cost of energy: A case study in Ireland

Abstract

Potential areas for the development of a floating offshore wind farm by means of the levelised cost of energy (LCOE) are studied through a case study in the Republic of Ireland. Eligible locations are ascertained by acknowledging the characteristics of the national maritime landscape – areas reserved for aquaculture, natural parks and areas with intense maritime traffic are excluded. A selection of Irish port facilities that could accommodate the operations of a floating wind farm is also presented and incorporated into the cost model. The LCOE is computed and mapped in the areas identified as eligible using a site-specific approach, taking into account the distance to the coast and to adequate port facilities, water depth and wind climate. Among these, the wind climate and the distance to the coast play the main role in the LCOE, affecting the energy production and the cost of the export cable, respectively. The lowest LCOE values (∼100 €/MWh) occur close to the coast of West and North-west Ireland – off Donegal, Mayo and Kerry. Conversely, the highest values of the LCOE (130 €/MWh) occur further offshore. Areas in the Celtic and, especially, Irish Seas (counties of Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford) present relatively high values of the LCOE (∼120 €/MWh) due to a comparatively weaker resource. Besides, many areas in this region are excluded due to intense maritime traffic. Importantly, the distance to adequate port facilities is found to play a lesser role on the LCOE; therefore, ports requiring less investment for offshore wind operations could be employed despite not being the nearest.