Technological innovations in the offshore wind sector could reduce the levelised cost of energy (LCOE) by 33% by 2030, according to a report by KIC InnoEnergy and BVG Associates.
The report – ‘Future renewable energy costs: offshore wind’ – assesses 50 potential innovations, with increased turbine size to 10MW likely to have the largest impact on the LCOE.
“By having fewer turbines, significant savings can be achieved in the cost of foundations and construction, and in operational expenditure,” the authors said.
The report also highlights possible innovations in analysis and optimisation of array lay–out during front-end engineering design studies, rotor components, blade aerodynamics and manufacture and pitch control.
Changes in balance of plant, such as improved foundation designs and manufacturing, developments in holistic tower design and higher voltage cables will also all have an impact by 2030, the report added.
KIC InnoEnergy renewables technology officer Emilien Simonot said: “We know that there is a tremendous potential across the value chain for offshore wind innovations to reduce the cost of energy in the future.
“The findings of this report are extremely positive and we are looking forward to working with the offshore wind innovations of the future to drive them to commercial success and reduce the LCOE.”
Image: reNEWS
Offshore costs ‘could drop 33%’
HAMBURG 2016: innovation key says KIC InnoEnergy and BVG report
By EBS