Offshore Wind Energy

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Offshore Wind Energy

• And North Carolina
• 6th Annual Sustainable Energy Conference
• April 14, 2009
• Dr. Nicholas C. Rigas
• Vice President, EcoEnergy LLC
• Assistant to Vice President, Clemson University
  Restoration Institute

Middelgrunden, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Why should we care about clean alternative energy?

• Helps to diversify our nations energy supply
• Promotes energy security and reduces imports
• Environmentally responsible
• Climate change
• Water management
• Reduced emissions and other waste
• Sustainable way of life
• Improves the quality of life
• Promotes economic development
• Manufacturing
• Construction
• Operations and maintenance
• Rural economic development

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Key issues have merged to drive new energy policy
Economics
Environment
National Security
Cohesive Energy Policy
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Offshore wind resources near demand centers
28 Coastal States consume over 78 of the
electrical demand in the United States. Only 6
have significant land-based wind resources. 26
of the states have offshore wind resources to
meet 20 scenario. Offshore environment offers
higher and more consistent winds with no land
constraints.
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DOE outlines a plan for 20 wind power by 2030

• Requires 290 GW of new wind to reach goal
• 50 GW of offshore along NE and SE
• 175Bn in investment
• NC potential identified at 5-10 GW offshore
  (15-40 Bn Investment)
• Technology and infrastructure improvements
• GHC reductions and water savings
• Economic development

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NC Offshore Wind Resource is Significant
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NC Stands to Gain 10-20,000 New Jobs
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Southeast is key player outside of the Midwest
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Significant water savings under 20 scenario
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North Carolina Offshore Wind Potential
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North Carolina Coastal Transmission Infrastructure
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Transmission upgrades being proposed
Economic Development Heading back to Midwest
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Pamlico Sound offers unique opportunity for NC
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Interest in Offshore Wind Power Growing in the US

• Cape Wind, MA (430 MW)
• Delmarva, DL (200 MW)
• New Jersey (350 MW)
• New York, Long Island Power
• Savannah, GA (Offshore lease)
• Texas (Projects in state waters)
• Cleveland, OH
• Rhode Island (RFP released)
• Toronto, Canada
• Michigan
• Wisconsin
• Oregon
• Vancouver, Canada
• Chicago, IL
• North Carolina
• Virginia
• South Carolina, Palmetto Winds

Arklow, Ireland (6 miles offshore)
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Key Issues for Offshore Wind Power

• Cost
• Lack of US Experience
• Policy Uncertainty
• Siting and Permitting
• Visual Impact
• Public Acceptance
• Accounting for non-monetary value

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Cost Drivers for Offshore Wind Power

• Weather
• Wave conditions
• Water Depths
• Distance from Coast
• Port accessibility

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Capital Cost of Offshore Wind Power

• US land-based costs at 2.1M/MW
• EU Offshore 2007 costs at 3.5M/MW
• Projected costs range from 3.5M to 5.5/MW

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EU Offshore Wind Development
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EU Offshore Wind Costs, Water Depth and Distance
Source Risoe DTU
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Offshore Wind Turbine Technology

• Market driven by Vestas and Siemens with 2-3 MW
  machines
• Repower 5 MW machine being tested
• Clipper Wind designing 8-10 MW machine
• Nordex entering offshore industry
• GE prototyped 3.6 MW machine at Arklow, Ireland.
  Potentially re-entering market
• Mono-pile foundations being used for depths up to
  20 M ( 65 feet)
• Advance foundations being tested for deeper
  waters

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Technology Drivers

• Improved reliability
• Full-scale testing
• Advanced materials
• New construction methodology
• Remote sensor monitoring
• Wind resource assessment
• Preventative maintenance
• Rapid transfer of new technology into market
• Incubation of component suppliers
• Ancillary services (storage, voltage, power
  dispatch, system protection)

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Turbine technology continues to evolve
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US Government RD Funding for Wind
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Multi-year Danish study on impact of offshore wind
Offshore Wind Farms and the Environment Danish
Experiences from Horns Rev and Nysted
http//www.ens.dk/sw42947.asp
Danish Offshore Wind - Key Environmental Issues
http//ens.netboghandel.dk/PUBL.asp?pagepublobjn
o16288226
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Offshore Wind Energy Manufacturing and Services
Cluster
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(No Transcript)
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South Carolina Offshore Wind Working Group

• Mission
• Education and Public Outreach
• Research
• Economic Development

SC Sierra Club

• Partners
• Clemson University
• South Carolina Institute for Energy Studies
• Coastal Carolina University
• North Carolina State University
• Academic Magnet HS
• Santee Cooper
• Savannah River National Laboratory
• South Carolina Research Authority
• Belle W. Baruch Foundation
• Coastal Conservation League
• SC Sierra Club

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Series of Studies South Carolina

• Studies
• Coastal Met Towers
• Feasibility Study
• Outreach
• Education programs
• Regulatory review
• SODAR study
• Transmission review
• Buoy deployment

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Palmetto Winds Santee Cooper
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Thank You