Robert Speht’s Post

What Will It Take To Unlock U.S. Floating Offshore Wind Energy? Robert Speht, CEO of Vidi Energy, welcomes this report from the USA and comments: “There's a huge amount of offshore wind potential, not only in the USA but also globally that can be utilised with floating turbines. In order to do so, we must focus on the delivery of serialisation, standardisation, and mass production - which Vidi Energy is pioneering.” A massive 2.8 terawatts of U.S. offshore wind energy potential—enough to power 350 million homes—blows over ocean waters too deep for wind turbines to be fixed to the sea floor with foundations. The solution to capturing this valuable energy resource? Offshore wind turbines that float on the water and anchor to the seabed with mooring lines. As the first West Coast commercial-scale projects aim to be built around 2030, the United States will have to develop ports able to deploy commercial-scale floating offshore wind energy development. A National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) study, recently published in a report titled, The Impacts of Developing a Port Network for Floating Offshore Wind Energy on the West Coast of the United States, focuses on what it will take to develop a system of ports. Spoiler alert: It will take time, and it will be a big investment. But it will be worth it. In addition to supplying clean energy to millions of coastal businesses and households, a West Coast floating wind energy supply chain could also provide thousands of jobs for local communities, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by lowering transport distances, and lower the risk of relying on overseas materials. Five Focus Areas: The study identifies the following five primary areas of focus to develop a West Coast ports network, which suggest that the country will need to: 1. Update the existing West Coast port infrastructure to manufacture technology components domestically, install projects efficiently, and contribute effectively to clean energy goals on a commercial scale. 2. Encourage collaboration and communication among a huge number of stakeholders, along with an authorized decision-making entity (or entities) for strategic planning. 3. Build a significant workforce to construct and operate West Coast floating wind ports and attract workers in likely port-development regions. 4. Provide transparency and certainty around permitting and regulatory requirements for ports so they are less unpredictable and time-consuming, easing the approval process and helping with strategic planning. 5. Grow a vessel fleet to install and service offshore wind power projects in parallel with the port network after developing requirements for U.S. shipbuilding capacity. Original post by: nrel. gov Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/edTnwcrP #windenergy #windenergie #offshorewind #offshorewindenergy #floatingwind #floatingoffshorewind

Key wind energy transport trends in 2023: 1. Offshore taking the spotlight: In 2021, the IEA reported that “of the total 830 GW of wind capacity installed, 93% were onshore systems, with the remaining 7% offshore wind farms” saying “onshore wind is a developed technology, present in 115 countries around the world, while offshore wind is at the early stage of expansion, with capacity present in just 19 countries”. However, thanks to new innovations, the industry is witnessing businesses starting to transform their offshore wind farm offering. Solar-wind stated that “offshore reach is expected to increase in the coming years as more countries are developing or planning to develop their first offshore wind farms”. Just a few days ago, China announced the construction of the world’s first offshore wind farm using 16MW turbines able to generate 400 megawatt (MW) and produce about 1.6 TWh of electricity per year. “Different geographical situations will favor different solutions” confirms the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). Whether it is wind farms floating offshore or ones rooted on deep seabed, opening the waters to host turbines is becoming a great opportunity for new markets to join the industry. This development will also prompt different needs in the way this is set up and transported. Wind power logistics will then need integrated providers that are able to properly move these first on land, then on water, with ease and absolute safety. 2. Innovation-led speed: Rooftop bladeless wind turbines, vertical-axis turbines, floating multi-turbine technology platforms, and much more, are just some of the increasingly cost-effective and reliable innovations appearing in wind power trends. Augmented interest from global energy players, and their investments, has revitalized technology advancement. “Change within this industry is incredibly fast. We thought we would see turbines of +10 megawatts (MW) in ten years from now, but we today read announcements of 18MW turbines put into production, that can produce 80GWh of electricity - sufficient to supply 96.000 residents per year - while “reducing CO2 emissions by 66,000 tons”. As the power of this technology changes, so do the needs of businesses producing this sustainable energy” says Henrik Willum Dalsgaard, Global Vertical Head of Wind Power & Renewables at Maersk. With robotics and automation making an appearance in this space as well, and new capacity within logistics both for inland and sea, the cost for installations, transport and maintenance will be brought down. This will be a positive development within the wind power logistics sector opening up for new opportunities worldwide.

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has kicked off the offshore wind energy lease sale for the Gulf of Mexico. As of 9:00 EST (15:00 CET), BOEM will be receiving bids for three areas on the Outer Continental Shelf off Louisiana and Texas. Also in this article: Full list of prequalified bidders for the Gulf of Mexico offshore wind lease sale. The offshore wind energy areas (WEAs) being offered today include one site of 102,480 acres offshore Lake Charles, Louisiana, and two lease areas totalling nearly 200,000 acres offshore Galveston, Texas. According to information BOEM shared earlier, the three areas have the potential to accommodate over 3.6 GW of installed capacity which can power almost 1.3 million households. Seeing the capacities that the winners of the previous few lease sales announced after those auctions were completed, it is likely that the lease areas in the Gulf of Mexico could also house projects totalling much more than 3.6 GW. The Department of the Interior issued the final sale notice (FSN) for the Gulf of Mexico on 20 July, when US President Joe Biden announced the first-ever offshore wind auction in this area would take place on 29 August. The FSN, among other things, also provides a list of the companies that BOEM prequalified for the lease sale which has significantly expanded since the initial list was published in the Proposed Sale Notice (PSN). As reported in the Premium news on our sibling site Offshore Energy in March, BOEM had prequalified eight bidders by the time the PSN was issued, including Avangrid, Shell and TotalEnergies. The Final Sale Notice contains 15 companies, with Equinor and RWE joining the list, among others. (It is worth noting that not all prequalified bidders will necessarily participate in the lease sale.) The Department of the Interior issued the final sale notice (FSN) for the Gulf of Mexico on 20 July, when US President Joe Biden announced the first-ever offshore wind auction in this area would take place on 29 August. The FSN, among other things, also provides a list of the companies that BOEM prequalified for the lease sale which has significantly expanded since the initial list was published in the Proposed Sale Notice (PSN). As reported in the Premium news on our sibling site Offshore Energy in March, BOEM had prequalified eight bidders by the time the PSN was issued, including Avangrid, Shell and TotalEnergies. The Final Sale Notice contains 15 companies, with Equinor and RWE joining the list, among others. (It is worth noting that not all prequalified bidders will necessarily participate in the lease sale.) #renewableenergy #energy #carbon60 #offshorewind #engineering #wind #epc

HARNESSING THE BREEZE: THE WORLD'S LARGEST FLOATING WIND POWER PROJECT In the quest for renewable energy, innovation knows no bounds. Enter the world's largest floating wind power project, a groundbreaking endeavor set to revolutionize clean energy production on a massive scale. Located off the coast of Scotland, the Hywind Tampen project stands as a testament to the potential of offshore wind energy. Developed by Equinor, a Norwegian energy company, the project consists of eleven floating wind turbines anchored in the North Sea, approximately 140 kilometers (about 87 miles) off the coast of Norway. This innovative approach allows wind turbines to be deployed in deeper waters, where traditional fixed-bottom installations are not feasible. The cost of the Hywind Tampen project is estimated to be around $549 million USD. While this initial investment may seem substantial, the long-term benefits are significant. By harnessing the power of the wind, the project is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 35,000 homes, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 200,000 metric tons per year. In terms of capacity, the Hywind Tampen project boasts an impressive total capacity of 88 megawatts (MW). Each of the eleven floating turbines has a capacity of 8 MW, making them some of the largest and most powerful floating wind turbines in the world. In the quest for renewable energy, innovation knows no bounds. Enter the world's largest floating wind power project, a groundbreaking endeavor set to revolutionize clean energy production on a massive scale. Located off the coast of Scotland, the Hywind Tampen project stands as a testament to the potential of offshore wind energy. Developed by Equinor, a Norwegian energy company, the project consists of eleven floating wind turbines anchored in the North Sea, approximately 140 kilometers (about 87 miles) off the coast of Norway. The cost of the Hywind Tampen project is estimated to be around $549 million USD. While this initial investment may seem substantial, the long-term benefits are significant. By harnessing the power of the wind, the project is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 35,000 homes, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 200,000 metric tons per year. In terms of capacity, the Hywind Tampen project boasts an impressive total capacity of 88 megawatts (MW). Each of the eleven floating turbines has a capacity of 8 MW, making them some of the largest and most powerful floating wind turbines in the world. The Hywind Tampen project serves as a beacon of hope for the future of renewable energy. By harnessing the untapped potential of offshore wind resources as the world continues to seek solutions to combat climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, projects like Hywind Tampen offer a glimpse into what is possible when innovation and ambition converge in the pursuit of a cleaner, brighter future.

US Moves Closer to Oregon Floating Offshore Wind Lease Sale The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has identified two draft Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) offshore southern Oregon with which the federal agency plans to move forward and offer them in a lease sale, expected to take place in the first quarter of 2024. Robert Speht, CEO of Vidi Energy, welcomes this news from the US and comments: “It’s great to see yet more floating offshore wind farms in development in the US. These farms in Oregon will deliver 2.6 GW of clean power to the US, which is reflective of their ambitions to reach net-zero by 2050. Exciting times!” Avangrid Renewables, OW Ocean Winds, BlueFloat Energy, and Mainstream Renewable Power, as well as a joint venture between TotalEnergies and Simply Blue Group, have already expressed interest in building floating wind farms offshore Oregon. The two draft WEAs can accommodate up to 2.6 GW of offshore wind capacity which, given the deep waters in this US region, is expected to be installed using floating wind technologies. At the beginning of last year, BOEM identified three Call Areas in federal waters offshore Oregon with a total installed capacity potential of 17 GW and started narrowing them down into Wind Energy Areas. These initial two areas spanned 1,158,400 acres and saw nominations being submitted by four developers. The two Oregon Call Areas have been further narrowed down since then to delineate sites to be offered in the first lease sale which is expected to be organised in early 2024. The draft WEAs for the lease sale cover approximately 219,568 acres and are located within the borders of the two previously defined Call Areas. BOEM has now opened a 60-day public review and comment period for the two WEAs to gather public input that will be considered before formally designating final WEAs off the coast of Oregon. “At the request of Oregon’s governor and other state officials, there will be a 60-day public comment period on the draft WEAs and BOEM will hold an intergovernmental task force meeting in addition to public meetings during the comment period”, said BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein. “We look forward to working with the state to help us finalize offshore areas that have strong resource potential and the fewest environmental and user conflicts”. Original post by: offshoreWIND.biz Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eR6si4kC #windenergy #windenergie #offshorewind #offshorewindenergy #floatingwind #floatingoffshorewind

OFFSHORE WIND FARMS – Energy Transition Path LEARN WITH THE PAST, PUSHING TO AMPLIFY THE PRESENT, ANTICIPATING THE FUTURE The world witnessed the inauguration of the pioneering offshore wind farm in Vindeby, Denmark, in 1991, comprising 11 turbines with an installed capacity of 450 kW each (equivalent to 5 MW). While initially considered as pilot projects, offshore wind farms underwent slow growth, primarily due to a focus on technical feasibility rather than cost comparisons with other renewable energy sources. Despite being a nascent technology, offshore wind is now widely acknowledged as a reliable source of renewable energy, and efforts are underway to substantially reduce its Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE). The LCOE for offshore wind has undergone a significant decline, plummeting from approximately €150 per megawatt-hour (MWh) in 2015 to a projected less than €50 per MWh by around 2024 (1). Projections from McKinsey Global Energy Perspectives indicate a substantial growth trajectory, with global installed offshore wind capacity expected to soar to 630 gigawatts (GW) by 2050, up from 40 GW in 2020, and a potential upside of 1,000 GW in a 1.5° pathway scenario. The global offshore wind energy sector, while contributing to sustainable development (1), faces considerable challenges on a global scale, with subsequent local impacts. The competitiveness of the Offshore Wind Energy Industrial sector, like many others, is a major challenge marked by a delicate balance between rules and standards applied to resource usage, manufacturing and logistics techniques, safety, environmental aspects, and fostering a healthy social environment. Geopolitics, with a historical impact and relevance in contemporary times, introduces an imbalance among competitors, hindering the achievement of global-scale approaches and goals. Amidst this geopolitical backdrop, there is an urgent need to address various aspects to ensure the sustainable growth of the offshore wind sector. Challenges include supply-chain complexities, lead times for new manufacturing facilities and equipment, manufacturing capacity disparities between established and new technologies, raw material scarcity and availability, innovation focus and cost, and alignment between global government policies. Believing in mankind's capacity to make wise decisions, a continuous learning and growth attitude anchored in economic, financial, technical, environmental, and social perspectives are fundamental principles guiding sustainable growth. In line with this perspective, I have upgrade my original document "OFFSHORE WIND FARMS: PRINCIPLES AND ENERGY OUTLOOK - Engineering. Operation. Economics, Feb 10th, 2024, Edition 1|3." (1) International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), among others. #energytransition #geopolitics #offshorewind #offshorewindfarm #lcoe #competitiveness #globalization #wisdom

Japan’s Largest Offshore Wind Farm Now Online By Darrell Proctor || POWER magazine JERA, the largest power generation company in Japan, said the 112-MW Ishikari Bay New Port offshore wind farm has entered commercial operation. The utility, along with Green Power Investment Corp. (GPI), JERA’s partner in the project, announced the installation was commissioned on Jan. 1. Ishikari Bay is now Japan’s largest offshore wind park. The site features 14 SG 8.0-167 DD turbines manufactured by Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, and is the first wind power facility in Japan to use turbines of that 8-MW size. The turbines are certified to withstand both typhoon-force winds and seismic activity, a common occurrence in Japan. The wind farm is located off the west coast of the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. The project also incorporates 180 MWh of battery energy storage capacity at the project’s transformer substation. Power is then sent to Hokkaido Electric Power Network’s (HEPN’s) Nishi Sapporo Substation. HEPN has a 20-year agreement to purchase the wind farm’s electricity. JERA in a Jan. 4 news release said, “Bringing the project to completion was possible because of the tremendous cooperation and understanding extended by regional communities and government administrations including Hokkaido Prefecture, Ishikari City, and Otaru City during the project’s development and construction. “JERA and GPI are committed to envisioning the region’s future together through the promotion of renewable energy projects. Going forward, we plan to work together with the people of Ishikari City, Otaru City, and the region to ensure both stable management of the project and regional development.” GPI is a former Japanese affiliate of U.S. energy developer Pattern Energy Group, which sold GPI to JERA and NTT Anode Energy Corp last year. GPI is a Japanese developer, owner, and operator of renewable energy assets. A joint venture between Shimizu Corp. and Nippon Steel Engineering was responsible for offshore construction of the wind farm, and Kajima Corp. did the project’s onshore work. Other Offshore Wind Projects A JERA-led group also announced it was among the winners in Japan’s second offshore wind tender, the results of which were announced in December. Japan’s industry and land ministries picked three groups that could develop and operate offshore wind farms, as the country works to have at least 10 GW of offshore wind generation capacity in the queue by 2030, and as much as 45 GW of capacity in development by 2040. JERA, as part of a consortium including Itochu, Tohoku Electric Power, and J-Power, was awarded rights to build a 315-MW wind farm off the coast of Oga-Katagami-Akita in Akita prefecture in northern Japan. A group including Mitsui & Co., Germany’s RWE, and Osaka Gas is set to build a 684-MW wind farm off the coast of Murakami-Tainai in... Full article: https://lnkd.in/dS8sgWSX #engineering #energy #renewable #powergeneration #maintenance

Prepare for a 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐝-𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 🚀 The renewable energy sector is gearing up for a transformative decade with a projected 410 GW of new offshore wind capacity expected to be installed globally by 2033. This remarkable growth trajectory, outlined in a recent report by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), highlights the burgeoning momentum behind offshore wind energy as a cornerstone of the global transition to sustainable energy. 𝘒𝘦𝘺 𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 from the GWEC Report 1. Global Surge: The report projects that from 2023 to 2033, the world will see an addition of 410 GW in offshore wind capacity, significantly ramping up from the current installations. 2. Technological Advancements: Advances in wind turbine technology have been pivotal. Larger turbines, some exceeding 15 MW in capacity, are becoming standard. Innovations in floating wind farms are also unlocking potential in deeper waters previously inaccessible to fixed-bottom turbines. 3. Policy Support: Governments are playing a critical role. The European Union’s Green Deal aims for 300 GW of offshore wind by 2050, with substantial interim targets. Similarly, the US plans to install 30 GW by 2030 under the Biden administration’s clean energy agenda. 4. Investment Flow: Financial commitments are robust, with both public and private sectors investing heavily. In 2022 alone, the global offshore wind sector attracted over $50 billion in investments, indicating strong confidence in its future. India’s Offshore Wind Ambitions India, with its vast 7,500 km coastline, is set to emerge as a key player in the offshore wind sector. The country’s energy demand is growing, and offshore wind presents a substantial opportunity to diversify its renewable energy portfolio. Targets and Plans: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has set an ambitious target of achieving 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030. This is part of India's broader goal to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. Pilot Projects: Initial pilot projects are being planned off the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu (500 MW each) These projects will serve as crucial test beds for scaling up offshore wind infrastructure in India. The next decade promises to be a landmark period for offshore wind energy, with 410 GW of new capacity set to be installed globally. Technological advancements, supportive policies, and significant investments are driving this growth, positioning offshore wind as a pivotal component of the renewable energy landscape. India’s strategic initiatives and ambitious targets highlight its potential to become a major player in this sector. You can know more at: https://lnkd.in/gF2pA7sU

bp to take full ownership of Beacon Wind US offshore projects and transfer interest in Empire Wind to Equinor Robert Speht, CEO of Vidi Energy Group, comments: “It’s a shame to see bp and Equinor going separate ways, but there’s been some issues in the US market that have probably forced this. It would be great to see bp partnering up with a US developer going forwards.” bp and Equinor today announced an agreement to restructure the ownership of their joint US offshore wind projects which, following completion, will result in bp taking ownership of Equinor’s 50% stake in the Beacon Wind 1 and 2 projects and Equinor taking ownership of bp’s 50% stake in the Empire Wind 1 and 2 projects. In addition, bp agrees to take ownership of Equinor’s 50% interest in the Astoria Gateway for Renewable Energy (AGRE) site and, subject to certain future conditions, Equinor agrees to take ownership of bp’s 50% interest in the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT). Previously, bp and Equinor each held a 50% stake in the Beacon and Empire offshore wind projects. Under the new agreement, the companies will work independently to develop their wholly owned projects. The pair have also agreed with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to terminate the Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Certificate (OREC) Purchase and Sale Agreement for the Beacon Wind 1 project. The agreement aims to help each company optimize their development strategies, strengthen their positions in the US offshore wind market and continue supporting the energy transition.  “Over the past few years, we have built a highly experienced offshore wind team with deep capabilities and a sizeable global project portfolio with scale positions in the most attractive basins,” said Anja-Isabel Dotzenrath, bp executive vice president, gas & low carbon energy. “We remain disciplined with an uncompromised focus on value creation across our entire offshore wind portfolio as we continue to pursue growth opportunities that underpin our company’s transformation.” “Beacon Wind 1 and 2 have immense potential to create American jobs, benefit local communities, deliver low carbon energy and support the energy transition,” added Joshua Weinstein, bp’s president of offshore wind Americas. “bp has a proven track record of delivering complex engineering projects offshore, and we’ll continue bringing that expertise to bear as we advance the development, engage with communities and bring these projects closer to commercial operations." Original post by: bp Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/e8zUE6ji #windenergy #windenergie #offshorewind #offshorewindenergy #floatingwind #floatingoffshorewind