- August 18, 2005
- Posted by: EARSC
- Categories: Archive, European EO Industry
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18 August 2005
Offshore wind is
forecast to be the subject of the highest growth rates across the
entire renewable energy sector, with European installations expected to
account for at least 90% of worldwide installed capacity within the
next three to five years.
forecast to be the subject of the highest growth rates across the
entire renewable energy sector, with European installations expected to
account for at least 90% of worldwide installed capacity within the
next three to five years.
The contract ?¥Earth Observation Responses to Geo Information Market
Drivers for Offshore wind energy?? led by BMT Renewables (UK), in
partnership with, ARGOSS BV (NL), RADARSAT International (RSI) (CA),
GRAS A/s (Dk), Garrad Hassan & Partners (UK), Oil International
Ltd. (UK), and Risoe (DK), is intended to help the EO industry
understand the offshore wind market and prepare responses to specific
market opportunities. The final results of this activity were presented
at ESA-ESRIN on the 18th of August.
Drivers for Offshore wind energy?? led by BMT Renewables (UK), in
partnership with, ARGOSS BV (NL), RADARSAT International (RSI) (CA),
GRAS A/s (Dk), Garrad Hassan & Partners (UK), Oil International
Ltd. (UK), and Risoe (DK), is intended to help the EO industry
understand the offshore wind market and prepare responses to specific
market opportunities. The final results of this activity were presented
at ESA-ESRIN on the 18th of August.
It is widely acknowledged that the
potential for offshore renewable energy sources is huge and that the
key issue has been exploitation. The value of the potential resource
has been ignored in the past, as governments and developers have
pursued easier and cheaper onshore alternatives for renewable energy.
The last number of years however, has seen a fundamental shift by
national governments, and the necessary mechanisms, structures and
legislation for successful exploitation are in place or under
development in all major markets for offshore wind. Phil Thompson from
BMT Renewables presented a range of factors that have been responsible
for this shift, the effect of these drivers on the demand for
geo-information in the offshore wind energy industry, and the potential
responses by the EO service industry.
potential for offshore renewable energy sources is huge and that the
key issue has been exploitation. The value of the potential resource
has been ignored in the past, as governments and developers have
pursued easier and cheaper onshore alternatives for renewable energy.
The last number of years however, has seen a fundamental shift by
national governments, and the necessary mechanisms, structures and
legislation for successful exploitation are in place or under
development in all major markets for offshore wind. Phil Thompson from
BMT Renewables presented a range of factors that have been responsible
for this shift, the effect of these drivers on the demand for
geo-information in the offshore wind energy industry, and the potential
responses by the EO service industry.
Market Drivers
Political factors have been found to be
very important in driving today??s market for offshore wind. A number of
national governments market have put in place market mechanisms and
legislation that supports the development of offshore wind energy. The
value of a diversified energy mix is now regarded by most governments
of being of strategic importance both for short and long-term security
of supply. In addition the gradual decline of offshore oil and gas
opportunities within North West Europe has seen industry suppliers
examining diversification opportunities. The combined skills and
experience built up in over 30 years of offshore development has given
many companies the ability to operate within the offshore wind sector.
very important in driving today??s market for offshore wind. A number of
national governments market have put in place market mechanisms and
legislation that supports the development of offshore wind energy. The
value of a diversified energy mix is now regarded by most governments
of being of strategic importance both for short and long-term security
of supply. In addition the gradual decline of offshore oil and gas
opportunities within North West Europe has seen industry suppliers
examining diversification opportunities. The combined skills and
experience built up in over 30 years of offshore development has given
many companies the ability to operate within the offshore wind sector.
In the medium to longer term economic
drivers will become more important. Global energy demand will vary due
to market forces but when viewed over the longer-term energy growth has
been consistent, averaging around 1% per annum and this is expected to
continue over the next decade. Within this consistent growth in energy
demand, renewable energy is likely to grow at a faster rate than oil
and gas, typically at a rate in excess of 10%. In developing economies,
governments are predisposed to meet new electricity requirements from
renewable sources, which are indigenous and achievable within a
relatively short installation time.
drivers will become more important. Global energy demand will vary due
to market forces but when viewed over the longer-term energy growth has
been consistent, averaging around 1% per annum and this is expected to
continue over the next decade. Within this consistent growth in energy
demand, renewable energy is likely to grow at a faster rate than oil
and gas, typically at a rate in excess of 10%. In developing economies,
governments are predisposed to meet new electricity requirements from
renewable sources, which are indigenous and achievable within a
relatively short installation time.
Opportunities and Challenges for EO
Han Wensink from ARGOSS (NL) identified the
opportunities and challenges for the EO service industry in this
growing market. Because offshore wind farm developers (and financers)
typically come from a background of land-based developments, many have
assumed that it would be possible to extrapolate their land based
findings and experience to offshore. However, many developers are
facing problems accessing reliable geo-information in near shore and
offshore areas, and other solutions are needed. Opportunities for EO
based services were identified related to the development phases or
?¥life-cycle??, of an offshore wind farm. Geo-information services for
wind speed and energy yield estimations needed in the early phase of
site development were recognised as having significant potential.
Innovative applications of EO data related to operational activities
were also identified.
opportunities and challenges for the EO service industry in this
growing market. Because offshore wind farm developers (and financers)
typically come from a background of land-based developments, many have
assumed that it would be possible to extrapolate their land based
findings and experience to offshore. However, many developers are
facing problems accessing reliable geo-information in near shore and
offshore areas, and other solutions are needed. Opportunities for EO
based services were identified related to the development phases or
?¥life-cycle??, of an offshore wind farm. Geo-information services for
wind speed and energy yield estimations needed in the early phase of
site development were recognised as having significant potential.
Innovative applications of EO data related to operational activities
were also identified.
While opportunities for EO are there, a
number of barriers to service uptake exist. Lack of knowledge on the
availability of appropriate EO-enabled products is blockage for wind
farm developers. The industry has also showed concern over a lack of
resolution, coverage and reliability of EO data in coastal zones,
particularly near shore and especially with regard to winds. There is
currently no mechanism for setting guidelines and controlling standards
for the use of EO in servicing geo-information needs within different
market sectors. A reluctance to share information amongst developers
and service providers has been seen, as well as reluctance to introduce
novel practices with attendant risks.
number of barriers to service uptake exist. Lack of knowledge on the
availability of appropriate EO-enabled products is blockage for wind
farm developers. The industry has also showed concern over a lack of
resolution, coverage and reliability of EO data in coastal zones,
particularly near shore and especially with regard to winds. There is
currently no mechanism for setting guidelines and controlling standards
for the use of EO in servicing geo-information needs within different
market sectors. A reluctance to share information amongst developers
and service providers has been seen, as well as reluctance to introduce
novel practices with attendant risks.
A roadmap for the EO industry
A number of strategies to help the EO
service industry increase its market share in the offshore wind sector
have been proposed. These include the development of new vertical
supply chain business models from (EO to wind industry) particularly in
relation to integration of EO databases with industry standard
applications software, as well as horizontal business models to extend
the service portfolio. The development of supply chain partnerships has
also been proposed, in order to have better access to market, increase
capability awareness with the wind farm market, and to develop robust
operational examples. Multi-layered services applicable to all phases
of the wind farm life cycle, from identification of new wind farm
sites, to the decommissioning phase, are also recommend.
service industry increase its market share in the offshore wind sector
have been proposed. These include the development of new vertical
supply chain business models from (EO to wind industry) particularly in
relation to integration of EO databases with industry standard
applications software, as well as horizontal business models to extend
the service portfolio. The development of supply chain partnerships has
also been proposed, in order to have better access to market, increase
capability awareness with the wind farm market, and to develop robust
operational examples. Multi-layered services applicable to all phases
of the wind farm life cycle, from identification of new wind farm
sites, to the decommissioning phase, are also recommend.
Consultation and demonstrations with the Offshore Wind Industry
The offshore wind industry was consulted
extensively during this activity, firstly through an industry
questionnaire in order to identify the importance, utilisation,
budgets, and delivery channels associated with conventional
geo-information and the level of awareness, and utilisation of EO
within the industry currently. In November 2004 a workshop was held in
association with the European Wind Energy Association where project
results were presented and feedback from industry on the project
finding was sought.
extensively during this activity, firstly through an industry
questionnaire in order to identify the importance, utilisation,
budgets, and delivery channels associated with conventional
geo-information and the level of awareness, and utilisation of EO
within the industry currently. In November 2004 a workshop was held in
association with the European Wind Energy Association where project
results were presented and feedback from industry on the project
finding was sought.
Following on from the workshop, three
short ?¥test actions?? were carried with the offshore wind industry. One
test activity in particular, with Talisman Energy Ltd., an offshore
farm operator, revealed potential new applications for EO data. ?¥EO
support modeller?? incorporated wind and wave statistics from ARGOSS,
into an industry standard statistical support model for vessel
operations and maintenance planning from Clockwork Solutions, in order
to predict operational availability of offshore wind farm operations
& management support vessels. The offshore industry has shown
significant interest in this new product, and further development of
the product will continue.
short ?¥test actions?? were carried with the offshore wind industry. One
test activity in particular, with Talisman Energy Ltd., an offshore
farm operator, revealed potential new applications for EO data. ?¥EO
support modeller?? incorporated wind and wave statistics from ARGOSS,
into an industry standard statistical support model for vessel
operations and maintenance planning from Clockwork Solutions, in order
to predict operational availability of offshore wind farm operations
& management support vessels. The offshore industry has shown
significant interest in this new product, and further development of
the product will continue.
Two additional test actions, a
demonstration of EO enabled assessment of sediment concentrations near
offshore wind farms conducted by Geographic Resource Analysis and
Science A/S and Scira Offshore Energy Ltd and an evaluation of EO data
in the prediction of offshore wind regimes with Garrad Hassan &
Partners Ltd demonstrated to the offshore industry that EO products and
services provide geo information that is not available from in-situ
sampling alone.
demonstration of EO enabled assessment of sediment concentrations near
offshore wind farms conducted by Geographic Resource Analysis and
Science A/S and Scira Offshore Energy Ltd and an evaluation of EO data
in the prediction of offshore wind regimes with Garrad Hassan &
Partners Ltd demonstrated to the offshore industry that EO products and
services provide geo information that is not available from in-situ
sampling alone.
(Credits ESA)
