The variability in offshore wind speeds in UK waters is “significantly lower” than previously thought, according to a new report from the Crown Estate.
The report – ‘Study on UK Offshore Wind Variability’ – revealed the inter-annual variability (IAV) of wind speeds to be in the range of 4% to 5.5%, lower than the current industry standard of 6%.
The revised figure was established by creating new regional wind speed indices for UK waters where wind farm development is taking place, the Crown Estate said.
The indices were then used to derive more accurate estimates, which were validated against sources of offshore measured data.
The Crown Estate said the findings “pave the way for improved project projections which can help bring down the cost of energy”.
The findings have also been presented to the International Electrotechnical Committee 61400-15 working group and the UK Wind Resource Group, it said.
The report was carried out by DNV GL for the Crown Estate.
Crown Estate’s Matthew Clear said: “This report reveals a significant improvement in our understanding of the UK’s offshore wind resource.
“We hope that industry will begin to reflect this reduced variability into their assessments to help create a more attractive financing proposition for investors and support continued cost reduction over the long term.”
Image: reNEWS
Crown maps offshore wind speed
Report finds variability ‘significantly lower' than previously thought
By EBS