Wind Energy and the European Union Henryk P. Rogowski E-mail: [email protected].

Wind Energy and the Wind Energy and the European UnionEuropean Union

Henryk P. RogowskiHenryk P. RogowskiE-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

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IntroductionIntroduction Use of wind energy in Europe Use of wind energy in Europe EU energy policyEU energy policy ConclusionConclusion

What is wind energy?What is wind energy? Wind is a product of the sun shining on the earth Wind is a product of the sun shining on the earth

and the earth’s atmosphere, it is a resource that and the earth’s atmosphere, it is a resource that will not be depleted by tapping it for electricity will not be depleted by tapping it for electricity generation. generation.

Wind energy is available for electricity generation Wind energy is available for electricity generation in locations where the average wind speeds are in locations where the average wind speeds are great enough to drive the fields of wind turbines. great enough to drive the fields of wind turbines. While the ability of wind technology to produce While the ability of wind technology to produce electricity economically at lower wind speeds is electricity economically at lower wind speeds is improving, areas where average wind speeds improving, areas where average wind speeds exceed 20 km (12 miles) per hour are currently exceed 20 km (12 miles) per hour are currently the most economic locations. the most economic locations.

How is the wind energy How is the wind energy produced?produced?

Wind plants use large blades to catch the Wind plants use large blades to catch the wind, turning rotors that produce wind, turning rotors that produce electricity. Just as fossil-fueled plants use electricity. Just as fossil-fueled plants use steam or combustion gases to turn steam or combustion gases to turn electricity-producing rotors, wind plants electricity-producing rotors, wind plants use many wind turbines, often assembled use many wind turbines, often assembled on a large single wind site called a wind on a large single wind site called a wind farm, to generate electricity. The modern farm, to generate electricity. The modern wind farm may consist of as many as 100-wind farm may consist of as many as 100-500 wind turbines connected to the electric 500 wind turbines connected to the electric transmission grid. transmission grid.

Unpredictability of windUnpredictability of wind

Because wind follows patterns that can be Because wind follows patterns that can be predicted, and because particular locations predicted, and because particular locations have more reliable winds and will produce have more reliable winds and will produce power more regularly, the value of wind for power more regularly, the value of wind for meeting consumer demand can be meeting consumer demand can be significant. Further, the intermittent nature significant. Further, the intermittent nature of wind power does not produce significant of wind power does not produce significant problems for large electric systems as long problems for large electric systems as long as wind is a small proportion of the total as wind is a small proportion of the total system (less than 2-3 percent of total local system (less than 2-3 percent of total local system capacity). system capacity).

How can we use it?How can we use it? Large-scale wind generationLarge-scale wind generation - provides - provides

power to the local utility grid just as large-scale power to the local utility grid just as large-scale coal, hydro or natural gas electrical generation coal, hydro or natural gas electrical generation facilities send power to the grid do. A single large-facilities send power to the grid do. A single large-scale wind turbine produces enough energy to scale wind turbine produces enough energy to power hundreds of homes. Clustered together in a power hundreds of homes. Clustered together in a wind farm, turbines can produce enough energy for wind farm, turbines can produce enough energy for thousands of distant homes and businesses.thousands of distant homes and businesses.

Small-scale wind generationSmall-scale wind generation - provides local, - provides local, on-site power to a home or business. Turbines are on-site power to a home or business. Turbines are placed at the same site where the electricity will be placed at the same site where the electricity will be used. Any additional energy that is generated, used. Any additional energy that is generated, exceeding the needs of the user, can be sent to the exceeding the needs of the user, can be sent to the local electrical grid.local electrical grid.

Wind technologiesWind technologies

1.1. Horizontal Axis Turbines Horizontal Axis Turbines (HAWT)(HAWT)

2.2. Vertical Axis Turbines (VAWT)Vertical Axis Turbines (VAWT)a) Darrieus Turbinesa) Darrieus Turbines

b) Savonius Turbinesb) Savonius Turbines

3.3. WindmillsWindmills

Horizontal Axis Turbines Horizontal Axis Turbines (HAWT)(HAWT)

Horizontal axis turbines are the most Horizontal axis turbines are the most common turbine configuration used common turbine configuration used today. They consist of a tall tower atop today. They consist of a tall tower atop which sits a fan-like rotor that faces which sits a fan-like rotor that faces into or away from the wind, the into or away from the wind, the generator, the controller, and other generator, the controller, and other components. Most horizontal axis components. Most horizontal axis turbines built today are two- or three-turbines built today are two- or three-bladed, although some have fewer or bladed, although some have fewer or more blades. more blades.

Turbines can be build Turbines can be build onshore or offshoreonshore or offshore

Vertical Axis Turbines Vertical Axis Turbines (VAWT)(VAWT)

DarrieusDarrieus Turbines TurbinesThe Darrieus turbine was The Darrieus turbine was invented in France in the invented in France in the 1920s. Often described as 1920s. Often described as looking like an eggbeater, looking like an eggbeater, this vertical axis turbine this vertical axis turbine has vertical blades that has vertical blades that rotate into and out of the rotate into and out of the wind. Using aerodynamic wind. Using aerodynamic lift, these turbines can lift, these turbines can capture more energy capture more energy than drag devices. The than drag devices. The Giromill and cycloturbine Giromill and cycloturbine are variants on the are variants on the Darrieus turbine. Darrieus turbine.

Vertical Axis Turbines Vertical Axis Turbines (VAWT)(VAWT)

SavoniusSavonius Turbines TurbinesFirst invented in First invented in Finland, the Savonius Finland, the Savonius turbine is S-shaped if turbine is S-shaped if viewed from above. This viewed from above. This drag-type VAWT turns drag-type VAWT turns relatively slowly, but relatively slowly, but yields a high torque. It yields a high torque. It is useful for grinding is useful for grinding grain or pumping water, grain or pumping water, but its slow rotational but its slow rotational speeds are not good for speeds are not good for generating electricity. generating electricity.

Other Lift-Type Vertical Other Lift-Type Vertical Axis Configurations Axis Configurations

WindmillsWindmills

Windmills have been Windmills have been used by humans since used by humans since at least 200 B.C. for at least 200 B.C. for grinding grain and grinding grain and pumping water. By the pumping water. By the 1900s, windmills were 1900s, windmills were used on farms and used on farms and ranches in the United ranches in the United States to pump water States to pump water and, later, to produce and, later, to produce electricity. Windmills electricity. Windmills have more blades than have more blades than modern wind turbines, modern wind turbines, and they rely on drag and they rely on drag to rotate the blades. to rotate the blades.

How does the turbine How does the turbine work?work?

The wind blows on the The wind blows on the blades and makes them blades and makes them turn. turn.

The blades turns a shaft The blades turns a shaft inside the nacelle (the box inside the nacelle (the box at the top of the turbine) at the top of the turbine)

The shaft goes into a The shaft goes into a gearbox which increases gearbox which increases the rotation speed enough the rotation speed enough for... for...

The generator, which uses The generator, which uses magnetic fields to convert magnetic fields to convert the rotational energy into the rotational energy into electrical energy. These electrical energy. These are similar to those found are similar to those found in normal power stations. in normal power stations.

Required speed of windRequired speed of wind

Wind turbines start operating at wind Wind turbines start operating at wind speeds of 4 to 5 meters per second (around speeds of 4 to 5 meters per second (around 10 miles an hour) and reach maximum 10 miles an hour) and reach maximum power output at around 15 meters/second power output at around 15 meters/second (around 33 miles per hour). At very high (around 33 miles per hour). At very high wind speeds, (25 meters/second, 50+ wind speeds, (25 meters/second, 50+ miles/hour) wind turbines shut down. Wind miles/hour) wind turbines shut down. Wind plants produce electricity only when the plants produce electricity only when the wind blows, so if the wind is not blowing, wind blows, so if the wind is not blowing, the plant is not producing electricity. For the plant is not producing electricity. For this reason, wind is called an this reason, wind is called an intermittent intermittent resourceresource. .

Connection to the gridConnection to the grid

The power output goes to a The power output goes to a transformer, which converts the transformer, which converts the electricity coming out of the electricity coming out of the generator at around 700 Volts (V) to generator at around 700 Volts (V) to the right voltage for distribution the right voltage for distribution system, typically 33,000 V. system, typically 33,000 V.

The national grid transmits the The national grid transmits the power around the country.power around the country.

AdvantagesAdvantages of wind energy of wind energy No external energy dependence No external energy dependence   No energy imports No energy imports   No fuel costs No fuel costs   No fuel price risk No fuel price risk   No exploration No exploration   No extractionNo extraction   No refining No refining   No pipelines No pipelines   No resource constraints No resource constraints   No CO2 emissionsNo CO2 emissions   No radioactive waste No radioactive waste

Issues associated with Issues associated with wind farm developmentwind farm development

Use of large tracts of landUse of large tracts of land Changes in visual quality Changes in visual quality Disturbances to wildlife habitats Disturbances to wildlife habitats Avian mortality due to collisions with Avian mortality due to collisions with

wind turbines and associated wires wind turbines and associated wires Noise Noise Grass or brush fires caused by Grass or brush fires caused by

shorts in the electrical cables shorts in the electrical cables

EU energy policyEU energy policy

The In 1997 the European Commission White The In 1997 the European Commission White Paper on Renewable Sources of Energy set the Paper on Renewable Sources of Energy set the goal of doubling the share of renewable energy goal of doubling the share of renewable energy in the EU from 6% to 12% by 2010. One of the in the EU from 6% to 12% by 2010. One of the targets of the Commission’s White Paper was targets of the Commission’s White Paper was to increase the EU electricity production from to increase the EU electricity production from renewable energy sources from 337 TWh in renewable energy sources from 337 TWh in 1995 to 675 TWh in 2010. Within this target, 1995 to 675 TWh in 2010. Within this target, the goal for wind power was for 40,000 MW (40 the goal for wind power was for 40,000 MW (40 GW) of installed capacity in 2010. This target GW) of installed capacity in 2010. This target was reached in 2005. was reached in 2005.

Growth of wind power Growth of wind power capacity in the European capacity in the European

UnionUnion

EU energy policyEU energy policy The 2001 EU Directive on the promotion of The 2001 EU Directive on the promotion of

electricity from renewable energy sources electricity from renewable energy sources followed the goal described in the White followed the goal described in the White Paper and set an overall Community target Paper and set an overall Community target to increase the share of electricity from to increase the share of electricity from renewable sources from 14% in 1997 to 21% renewable sources from 14% in 1997 to 21% in 2010.in 2010.

In 2004 the Commission Baseline prepared In 2004 the Commission Baseline prepared scenario projection for wind and solar - 28 scenario projection for wind and solar - 28 GW in 2005, 73.2 GW in 2010, 91.7 GW in GW in 2005, 73.2 GW in 2010, 91.7 GW in 2015, 104.1 GW in 2020, 125.2 GW in 2025 2015, 104.1 GW in 2020, 125.2 GW in 2025 and 149.2 GW in 2030. and 149.2 GW in 2030.

EU energy policy EU energy policy

The parallel liberalization of the EU’s The parallel liberalization of the EU’s electricity market will not create a electricity market will not create a level playing field overnight but the level playing field overnight but the Directive ensures that short-term Directive ensures that short-term distortions do not undermine the distortions do not undermine the possibility of developing those possibility of developing those renewable energy technologies that renewable energy technologies that will facilitate a future European energy will facilitate a future European energy supply that is cheap, clean and supply that is cheap, clean and independent of fluctuating oil and gas independent of fluctuating oil and gas prices.prices.

Contribution of wind power Contribution of wind power to new generation capacity to new generation capacity

in the EU (GW)in the EU (GW)

European wind resourcesEuropean wind resources

There is enough wind energy There is enough wind energy resources to power all of Europe, resources to power all of Europe, whose current consumption is 2,900 whose current consumption is 2,900 TWh.TWh.

Offshore and onshore conditions Offshore and onshore conditions allow building wind farms on the allow building wind farms on the land and on the water.land and on the water.

Wind resources above 50 Wind resources above 50 meters (164 feet) above meters (164 feet) above

the ground levelthe ground level

Wind resources above the Wind resources above the open sea more 10 open sea more 10

kilometers (6 miles) kilometers (6 miles) offshoreoffshore

Production of wind energy Production of wind energy in Europein Europe

Europe leads the world in developing wind Europe leads the world in developing wind energy as a pollution-free fuel for electricity energy as a pollution-free fuel for electricity generation. Over the past decade wind generation. Over the past decade wind power has proved the most successful of all power has proved the most successful of all the new renewable sources.the new renewable sources.

In 1994 there was 1,683 MW of wind energy In 1994 there was 1,683 MW of wind energy installed across the EU. By the end of 2005 installed across the EU. By the end of 2005 the figure had increased 24 times to 40,504 the figure had increased 24 times to 40,504 MWMW

The average annual growth rate in The average annual growth rate in cumulative installation over the past decade cumulative installation over the past decade (1995-2005) was 32%.(1995-2005) was 32%.

Production of wind energy Production of wind energy in Europe more factsin Europe more facts

At the end of 2005, an estimated At the end of 2005, an estimated 47,000 wind turbines were installed 47,000 wind turbines were installed in Europe, generating 83 TWh of in Europe, generating 83 TWh of electricity, equal to about 2.8% of electricity, equal to about 2.8% of European electricity demand.European electricity demand.

The average size of turbines The average size of turbines delivered to the European market in delivered to the European market in 2004 was about 1.3 MW onshore and 2004 was about 1.3 MW onshore and 2.1 MW offshore.2.1 MW offshore.

EU leaders in wind energy EU leaders in wind energy productionproduction

EU energy market EU energy market realtiesrealties

One of the basic concepts in the European One of the basic concepts in the European Union is the common market which also Union is the common market which also includes the energy sector.includes the energy sector.

In theory, producers of electricity from the In theory, producers of electricity from the member countries should compete with each member countries should compete with each other on the European market which means other on the European market which means sale of electricity is supposed to be free of sale of electricity is supposed to be free of the boundaries.the boundaries.

European Commission is constantly European Commission is constantly monitoring the opening and competition in monitoring the opening and competition in the power market.the power market.

EU energy market realtiesEU energy market realties

The recently published report exposes The recently published report exposes the serious distortions of competition the serious distortions of competition and the lack of “level playing field” and and the lack of “level playing field” and points reasons of that condition:points reasons of that condition:

1.1. Too few cross-border transmission links,Too few cross-border transmission links,2.2. Too dominant national power companies,Too dominant national power companies,3.3. Too biased grid operators,Too biased grid operators,4.4. The non-existence of a liquid wholesale The non-existence of a liquid wholesale

marketmarket

ConclusionConclusion Demand for electricity in the EU grows Demand for electricity in the EU grows

rapidly because of industrialization and rapidly because of industrialization and urbanizationurbanization

Europe is energy intensive and heavy Europe is energy intensive and heavy reliant on imports – already 50% today, and reliant on imports – already 50% today, and projected to increase to 70% within two projected to increase to 70% within two decades. By 2030 the level of gas imports decades. By 2030 the level of gas imports could rise from 50% (in 2000) to 81%.could rise from 50% (in 2000) to 81%.

Governments need to make steps forward to Governments need to make steps forward to implement the market opening measures implement the market opening measures required by the gas and electricity required by the gas and electricity Directives.Directives.

ConclusionConclusion

Europe is running out of indigenous energy Europe is running out of indigenous energy supplies at a time when world resources are supplies at a time when world resources are diminishing and are concentrated into diminishing and are concentrated into fewer, more geopolitically sensitive regions. fewer, more geopolitically sensitive regions. The resulting constraints and associated The resulting constraints and associated increases in fuel prices are a threat to both increases in fuel prices are a threat to both economic and political stabilityeconomic and political stability

The effects of climate change require a The effects of climate change require a continued reduction in carbon emissions continued reduction in carbon emissions from the power sector.from the power sector.

ConclusionConclusion

Wind power requires no fuel. This Wind power requires no fuel. This means no:means no:

1. geopolitical risk, 1. geopolitical risk,

2. no external energy dependence,2. no external energy dependence,

3. no extraction or refining,3. no extraction or refining,

4. no resource constraints,4. no resource constraints,

5. no CO2 emissions 5. no CO2 emissions

ConclusionConclusion

From those reasons wind energy is a From those reasons wind energy is a great alternative for energy from the great alternative for energy from the traditional sources. traditional sources.

To develop that alternative, political To develop that alternative, political climate should be created and climate should be created and maintained.maintained.

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Europeans should finally Europeans should finally realize that there is a high realize that there is a high

time for action – luckily wind time for action – luckily wind will never stop blowingwill never stop blowing