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A new Dutch research and demonstration programme for offshore wind energy As a follow up of the We@Sea programme a new research and demonstration programme for offshore wind energy is launched: FLOW (Far and Large Offshore Wind). The programme is focused on the development of wind energy far out at sea. The consortium comprises of RWE Offshore Wind, Eneco, TenneT, Ballast Nedam, Van Oord, IHC Merwede, 2-B Energy, XEMC Darwind, ECN and TU Delft.
An R&D programme and a demonstration wind farm with 20 up to 60 turbines is coupled with the RWE 'farshore' wind farm "Tromp binnen", 75 kilometer off the Dutch coast. Currently there are no wind farms operating at this depth (between 30 and 35 meter) and at such a distance from the coast (see map). In this area also other plans are in development.
The aim of the FLOW programme is reducing the costs of wind power and further developing the Dutch leading position in the world offshore market.
This initiative could also serve to accelerate the Dutch government's ambition to install wind farms with a capacity of 6,000 MW by 2020. The FLOW consortium is engaged in a constructive dialogue with the Ministry of Economic Affairs to further specify the FLOW Business Plan, and to explore options for Government support to and cooperation in this programme.
To reduce the costs of installation and exploitation, there is a need for new technologies and operational & maintenance strategies. New innovative foundation concepts are necessary to avoid and minimize ecological effects such as noise during hammering. Efficient material use and recycling are drivers for an environmental sound application of wind energy.
See www.flow-windpark.nl
Posted by Chris Westra - 2009-09-03 14:40:13 |