Offshore Wind Energy Development and Heavy Plates Consumption - Research Paper Example

 Impact of the Offshore Wind Energy Development on Heavy Plate Consumption Contents Contents 1 Abstract 2 Literature Review 3 Methodology 3 Findings and Discussions 4 Status of Offshore Wind Energy Exploration 4 Offshore Wind Energy in World 5 Requirement of Heavy Plates in the Offshore Turbine Construction 6 Conclusions and Recommendations 6 Conclusions 6 Recommendations 7 References 8 Abstract This paper analyses the trend in offshore wind power exploration and the consumption of heavy steel plates in the world. It uses the method of graphical analysis as well as engineering requirement analysis for offshore wind turbine to develop a relationship on the subject. It concludes by examining the current situation on offshore wind energy and the projected forecasts which will affect its use. Introduction With the world’s energy crisis becoming a major concern for every industrial and developing countries, most countries or economies have embarked on the development of non-renewable energy sources. Not surprisingly therefore, wind energy has become a key component of renewable energy investment especially in Europe since the close of the 20th century. The demand for energy has been increased by aspects of development especially in the construction of modern structures such as bridges and similar engineering structures whose design depend on heavy steel plates (Koeller, Koeppel & Peters 2006). The production of such plates has been energy intensive just as their industrial use and engineering applications. Consequently, there is definitive trend in the exploration of offshore wind energy and the continued consumption of heavy plates in the worlds heavily industrialized nations. This research report investigates the impact of the development in offshore wind energy exploration on the consumption of heavy plates over the years. In doing so, an analysis is done on the trend in the exploration of offshore wind energy amongst the countries of the world. Further, the use, in terms of manufacture and imports, of heavy plates is investigated through industrial reports as well as energy reports. Literature Review Over 75 designs of wind turbines have been developed and accepted within the legislations of wind energy exploration. They produce energy from the 30kW upwards for most of them. However others are extremely large and efficient. Thus far, wind is considered the leading renewable source of energy used by man with a capacity of 238,000 megawatts installed as of 2012. However, much of this wind power capacity is explored inland (Lucken, Kern, & Schriever 2007). Lately,there has been an increasing trend to the factor of times 6 by mid 2012 which is equivalent to 4,600 megawatts of offshore wind energy (Schroter 2003). This is considerably providing an alternative for the use of heavy plates and seems to be resulting in an increase in its consumption. There is a heavy requirement for steel plates and steel parts in the construction of offshore wind turbines (Park 7 June 2011). The amount of steel required to set up an offshore turbine can be conveniently calculated to be up to 80t/MW of energy. Methodology This research was based on the energy reports, status of development of renewable energy sources and the information on production and consumption of steel plates. Data on the requirement and usage of steel plates in the construction of offshore wind turbines was analyzed in the background of the available and progressive wind energy exploration. The report considered the development of offshore wind energy specifically on the changing trends in the second decade of the 21st century. Graphical analysis of the trend in energy development was used as well the global availability of offshore wind energy potential assessment. The mechanical properties of steel for construction of offshore wind turbines was investigated from the specifications by leading manufacturers and design requirements. Findings and Discussions Status of Offshore Wind Energy Exploration The world’s exploration of offshore wind energy has been increasing exponentially especially in the 21st century. At the turn of the second decade of the century, this has been increasing 6 fold since more countries with offshore wind potential have increased their investment in it (Delft University Wind Energy Research Institute December 2001). From the statistics of the Earth Policy Institute, the world’s installed offshore wind energy was 4,600 megawatts by June 2012. This is shown in the graph below: Figure 1: Cumulative Offshore Wind Power Capacity Source: Energy Policy Institution Offshore Wind Energy in World Europe accounts for much of the world’s offshore energy with nearly 90% as of June 2012. This trend was set forth by the installation of the first offshore wind energy farm in Denmark in the year 1991, today England is the leader in production of offshore wind energy and is continually investing more in its production (Koeller, Koeppel & Peters 2006). More offshore wind energy farms are being set North and Northwest of England with the electricity produced from it being linked to the National Grid. The United Kingdom is currently constructing the world’s largest offshore wind energy farm which will produce up to 1000 megawatts of energy on completion (Zeelenberg 2005). In Europe, other notable producers of offshore wind energy are Germany, Sweden, Belgium and Denmark. However, there is a considerable amount of offshore energy by the Asian industrial giants of Japan and China and with the anticipated entrance of the USA in the offshore wind energy exploration, there is bound to be increased demand for heavy plates in the installation of wind turbines (Schroter 2003). The table below shows the cumulative installed offshore wind capacity by countries. Table 1: Cumulative Offshore Wind Power Country as of June 2012 Country Cumulative Installed Capacity* Megawatts United Kingdom 2,516 Denmark 865 Belgium 269 China 258 Netherlands 247 Germany 220 Sweden 164 Finland 26 Japan 25 Ireland 25 Norway 2 Portugal 2 Total 4,619 Source: Energy Policy Institution Requirement of Heavy Plates in the Offshore Turbine Construction The sea is known to be an expansive area which is open to extreme wind loading scenarios. The turbines or wind mills constructed in the sea for the sake of offshore wind energy utilization must be able to resist the extreme loading. Consequently, the offshore wind turbines are large and strong which can only mean they require heavy steel plates (Schroter 2003). The other reason why the offshore turbines require larger and more quantity of steel plates is the fact that the foundations go up to 30 m under water. This condition has resulted in the foundation taking up more steel than the engine carrying tower. To achieve safety and efficiency in the design and construction of the windmills, more cracks must be avoided by minimizing the number of welds. This situation calls for large heavy plates of steel designed in shapes which will minimize the welds. Though China and Japan have anticipated a decline in the consumption of steel in the year 2012, more heavy plates will be required to achieve the plan to set up more offshore wind energy power plants as discussed above. Conclusions and Recommendations Conclusions This research paper has successfully explored the renewable energy sources in the world with close scrutiny of the offshore wind power. With the current situation where the world is seeking to reduce carbon emission by utilizing more environmentally friendly energy sources, there is increased investment in the offshore wind power. The need to install offshore wind turbines, which require high quality steel, is having an impact on the consumption of heavy plates especially in countries where there is increased investment in the form of energy such as in Britain and the wider United Kingdom. However, countries with little investment in offshore wind energy such as Korea and USA are showing a declining trend in the consumption of heavy plates especially in the last two years (Schroter 2003). With the capacity for offshore wind energy installation increasing 6 fold during the second decade of the 21st century, more heavy plates will be required for the construction of offshore wind turbines. Countries such as Korea and USA are being gradually drawn into the lucrative prospect of offshore wind power, albeit at a slow rate (Koeller, Koeppel & Peters 2006). With China and Japan, the highly industrializing nations in the world, increasing their proportion of offshore wind energy investment, more pressure is expected on the heavy plates. China has been the leading consumer of energy in the world and will definitely be a force in the offshore wind power exploration eventually. Ultimately, increased offshore wind energy development will have a greater impact on the world’s consumption of heavy steel plates. Recommendations Due to the current low investment in Offshore Wind Power across the world, there is a need for further research on the key consumers of heavy metal plates to enhance effective conclusion on the impact. This can be done by evaluating pre and post Offshore wind energy investment to ascertain the consumption of the heavy plates by every country. References Delft University Wind Energy Research Institute: Concerted Action on Offshore Wind Energy in Europe, December 2001 Koeller, J, Koeppel, J & Peters,W, 2006. Offshore wind energy research on environmental impacts. New York: Springer. Lucken,H, Kern,A and Schriever,U 2007. International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference: Steel solutions for the construction of offshore wind energy plants Park, C. 7 June 2011. Global Markets Research: Robust Domestic CRC and Plate Prices to Continue Schroter,F 2003. Steel for Modern Construction and Offshore Applications. Dillingen, Germany Zeelenberg,S. 2005. Offshore wind energy in the North Sea Region: the state of affairs of offshore wind energy projects, national policies and economic, environmental and technological conditions in Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and the United Kingdom. Groningen: University of Groningen. Read More