Increased efforts in wind technology R&D are essential to realising growth within the industry, with a main focus on reducing the investment costs and increasing performance and reliability to reach a lower LCOE. We consider a strategy (and timeline) for guaranteed success…
Wind energy technology is already proven and making progress. No single element of onshore turbine design is likely to reduce dramatically the cost of energy in the years ahead. Design and reliability can be improved in many areas, however; when taken together, these factors will reduce both cost of energy and the uncertainties that stifle investment decisions. Greater potential for cost reductions, or even technology breakthrough, exists in the offshore sector.
Actions related to technology development fall into three main categories:
1) Wind power technology: turbine technology and design with corresponding development of system design and tools, advanced components, O&M, reliability and testing;
2) Wind characteristics: assessment of wind energy resource with resource estimates for siting, wind and external conditions for the turbine technology, and short-term forecasting methods;
3) Supply chains, manufacturing and installation issues.
In light of continually evolving technology, continued efforts in standards and certification procedures will be crucial to ensure the high reliability and successful deployment of new wind power technologies. Mitigating environmental impacts is also important to pursue.
Wind power technology
Cost reduction is the main driver for technology development but others include grid compatibility, acoustic emissions, visual appearance and suitability for site conditions (EWI, 2013). Reducing the cost of components, as well as achieving better performance and reliability (thereby optimising O&M), all result in reducing the cost of energy.
