[en] The paper discusses the advantages of wind energy generators for both short periods (hours to days) and for longer periods. The value of wind power in the light of the increasing level of risk that owners of generators will face in the new electricity market is also discussed. It is claimed that only now are we beginning to understand the issues associated with the use of large-scale wind power plants in regulated markets and this is coming about through a combination of both experience and computer modelling. As the electric power market becomes increasingly competitive, it is necessary to adapt our knowledge base to cope with the new market structure and to appreciate the associated risks and how they can be mitigated by, say, good siting. The importance of power transmission from wind power generators is emphasised: only if transmission access is afforded to all technologies will the competition succeed

[en] The monthly statistics of wind electric power generation in Denmark are compiled from information given by the owners of the private wind turbines. For each wind turbine the name of the site and of the type of turbine is given, and the power generation data are given for the month in question together with the total production in 1999 and 2000. Also the data of operation start are given. On the map of Denmark the sites of the wind turbines are marked. (CLS)

[en] In last two years offshore wind energy is becoming a focal point of national and non national organisations particularly after the limitations of fossil fuel consumption, adopted by many developed countries after Kyoto conference at the end of 1997 on global climate change. North Europe is particularly interested in offshore for the limited land areas still available, due to the intensive use of its territory and its today high wind capacity. Really the total wind capacity in Europe could increase from the 1997 value of 4450 MW up to 40 000 MW within 2010, according the White Paper 1997 of the European Commission; a significant percentage (25%) could be sited offshore up to 10 000 MW, because of close saturation of the land sites at that time. World wind capacity could increase from the 1997 value of 7200 MW up to 60 000 MW within 2010 with a good percentage (20%) offshore 12 000 MW. In last seven years wind capacity in shallow water of coastal areas has reached 34 MW. Five wind farms are functioning in the internal seas of Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden; however such siting is mostly to be considered as semi-offshore condition. Wind farms in real offshore sites, open seas with waves and water depth over 10 m, are now proposed in North Sea at 10-20 km off the coasts of Netherlands, Denmark using large size wind turbine (1-2 MW). In 1997 an offshore proposal was supported in Netherlands by Greenpeace after the OWEMES '97 seminar, held in Italy on offshore wind in the spring 1997. A review is presented in the paper of European offshore wind programs with trends in technology, economics and siting effects. (Author)

[en] Installed wind power capacity in Schleswig-Holstein has grown from 2 MW in 1988 to about 600 MW in 1997; about 10% of the total power demand. The target of 20 to 25% by 2010 should easily be exceeded. Cost per kW of installed capacity has fallen from DM 3,350 in 1990 to DM 1,700 in 1997. Estimates for the world market for wind power are given. Criteria for evaluating the financing of a build, operate, transfer wind energy project are set out. (uk)

[en] This is the fifth issue of the annual World Market Update by BTM Consult ApS, covering the year 1999. All figures in the status refer to the end of year 1999. It is the last update from the 20th century, in which wind energy developed during the last two decades to become a very serious part of the world electricity supply. As in previous reports, the past 3 years' development in the wind energy sector is assessed, and the forecast looks 5 years ahead. Wind power is the world's fastest growing energy source, with an average annual growth rate of 40 % over the last five years. Wind energy is a clean and abundant energy source, and it is becomming a preferred source of energy not only due to the environmental benefits, but also because it has become increasingly cost competitive in the world energy markets. One of the most significant figures and trends from this fast growing market during 1999 was that the annual installation of new wind power capacity increased by 51 %, resulting in a cumulative installation by the end of 1999 of 13,932 MW. The growth rates in the wind industry can easily be compared to the growth rates in the IT sector, although the growth differ much from country to country. The high growth rates are still very much influenced by political and economical issues, but the continuously improved technology and thus also the redused cost of energy becomes more and more significant, and there are hardly any arguments left why wind energy should not play a very significant role in the electricity supply. Approximately 81 % of the new capacity of 3,922 were installed in Europe, emphasizing that this region is still the major market place. The US market picked up close to the PTC expiry date (Production Tax Credit) on June 30, 1999. In terms of single markets it was, however, the German market which once again took the lead with installed capacity of 1,568 MW. Germany thereby consolidated the position as the leading wind energy country in the world. Spain also took a major step towards the Spanish renewable energy goals by installing some 930 MW. The installed capacity of 13,932 MW at the end of 1999 will supply approximately 30 TWh (30 billon kWh). The top market leaders during the two last years maintained their positions, and NEG Micon A/S is still at the top in spite of the company's financial crisis in late 1999. It is interesting to see how this company was supported by the shareholders and lenders to overcome the crisis. Vestas Wind Systems holds in direct sales the 2nd position. Along with its joint venture companies, however, Vestas Wind Systems holds some 30 % of the worlds wind energy market. In third position the Spanish company Gamesa S.A holds 12.6 % of the market. Gamesa S. A. is owned to 40 % by Vestas Wind Systems A/S. One newcomer, DeWind GmbH, a German manufacturer appeared for the first time among the top ten suppliers. Two very important signals from the world market were the reinstated PTC in the US market and the fixed rates for the electricity from wind turbines most recently in Germany. The common use of MW wind turbines has been growing since these wind turbines became commercially available about 3 years ago. The increased power output by the wind turbines has been the major factor in cutting the cost of energy produced, and it is interesting to look at the declining cost of the electricity produced by wind turbine generators, as it has been cut by a factor of 3-4 over the past 20 years. The special topic of this year's World Market Update is the future cost reduction in wind generation. Design and optimization of larger components such as blades, gearboxes and generators has been in focus during recent years. Nevertheless, it is impressive to see how the more untraditional concept by Enercon in Germany spreads in the market. Some new companies try to take similar revolutionary steps to avoid the sometimes troublesome gearbox. The wind energy market still to some extent depends on the political arena, on government policies and on different support programs - things which may change and give some fluctuations in the market. The strategy of the manufacturers to overcome such fluctuations is to spread sales geographically. In the revised forecast for the coming five years growth rates of 20 % per year will be seen. An average growth rate of 20 % might be considered conservative, but on top of two years' growth rates of more than 50 % (1998 and 1999), the resulting annual sales at the end of the forecast period amount to more than 9,000 MW per year (year 2004). Beyond year 2004, a more aggressive development in Asia is predicted and in the remaining parts of the world as well. The long awaited off-shore market seems to be somewhat more difficult to get moving, and this has been reflected in the new forecast. (EHS)

[en] Accelerated interests in offshore wind has resulted from a rapid decrease in the expected cost of offshore wind, together with increasing constraints on the development of wind power onshore. One of the biggest attractions of offshore wind is the substantial wind resource, and the fact that wind speeds offshore are subject to less turbulence, which results in the turbines suffering less fatigue. However, the costs of offshore wind are certainly expected to be higher than its onshore equivalent; for example the increased cost of foundations and the need to protect the structures from salt water corrosion. In addition, maintenance costs and grid connection costs are also likely to be comparatively high due to the geographic location of the wind farms. (Author)

[en] The Wind Energy programme commenced in 1979 initially to determine the technical and economic feasibility of the technology. Since that time the programme has progressed from research, development and assessment to commercial deployment. It now provides a technology push to complement the market pull created by the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO). Over 280 MW of capacity has now been commissioned. The wind energy programme, is based upon a five year strategy in common with other DTI renewable energy technologies, which were outlined in Energy Paper 62. The programme has four key aims: 1. To encourage the uptake of wind energy. 2. To encourage internationally competitive industries to develop and utilise capabilities for the domestic and export markets. 3. To quantify environmental improvements and disbenefits associated with wind energy. 4. To manage the programme effectively. During the mid 1980s and early 1990s the programme concentrated on technology development and demonstration, which has helped to establish UK expertise in wind energy. Non-technical barriers such as planning have been addressed but are now largely for the industry to resolve. The development of wind turbine technology and related components is aimed at meeting the challenge of both the domestic and world markets. The ability of the DTI programme to meet these challenges is partly dependent on the technical ability and commercially acumen of British companies and partly on the level of support offered by Government. The programme budget has fallen from Pound8.7M/year in 1992/93 to current level of Pound1.4M/year and is yet to fall further. It should be stressed that the decline in budgets followed a review of the Renewables Programme in 1995 which affected all technologies. The wind programme budget was reduced substantially at that time which resulted in a revision of priorities. Continued support for market enablement measures was reduced partly because the industry, supported by the NFFO, had acquired development skills and was therefore in a better position to tackle non-technical barriers. The new Government has announced that the programme will continue pending the review of renewable energy policy. Collaborative product development with industry to develop turbines and key components now forms the core of the programme and the bulk of its expenditure. The key objective of concentrating on development, demonstration and monitoring of new turbines or components, is to reduce the cost of wind energy and expand the UK share of the turbine and component markets. This approach has led to the successful development of wood laminate blades and direct drive generators which are beginning to show positive long term commercial prospects. The programme has also started other initiatives to attract the UK components industry to a growing market. In addition, the programme is co-ordinating initiatives to promote exports including market analysis and trade missions. (Author)

[en] This paper discusses some of the limitations of wind farm design by conventional methods and examines how WINDOPS, a new PC based wind farm design and optimisation tool, has set about addressing some of these limitations. The capabilities of WINDOPS and the innovative wind farm design approach that it is possible to achieve with the software are explored, and the potential advantages that the WINDOPS system holds for wind farm projects are identified. (Author)

[en] Computer generated video fly-through provides a new method of assessing the visual impact of wind farms. With a PC, software and digital terrain model of the wind farm it is possible to produce videos ranging from wireframe to realistically shaded models. Using computer generated video fly-through visually sensitive corridors can be explored fully, wind turbine rotors can be seen in motion, critical viewpoints can be identified for photomontages and the context of the wind farm appreciated better. This paper describes the techniques of computer generated video fly through and examines its various applications in visual impact assessment of wind farms. (Author)

[en] Windfarm developers often have good reason to question the costs they are quoted by their local distribution company for connection to the system, and these costs can now be challenged under the 'Competition in Connection' initiative. Econnect Ltd specialise in electrical connections for renewable generation throughout the UK and Europe, and have worked on many projects where alternative connections have been designed at more competitive prices. This paper provides some examples which illustrate the importance of acquiring a thorough understanding of all power system issues and PES concerns if the most cost-effective connection is to be realised. (Author)