Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ReaLCoE (Next Generation 12+MW Rated, Robust, Reliable and Large Offshore Wind Energy Converters for Clean, Low Cost and Competitive Electricity)
Reporting period: 2018-05-01 to 2022-02-28
ReaLCoE aims to accelerate a new generation of competitive and subsidy free clean energy from offshore wind energy converters (WEC) with a high performance 12+MW demonstration turbine. Our WEC technology platform developments are designed to be competitive and scalable, consolidating scientific knowledge and operational experience for a swift evolution towards 12+MW rated capacities.
Today, only less than 30% of the cost for electricity from large offshore wind energy converters incur from the turbine itself. ReaLCoE work to optimise innovation across the whole value chain; from initial turbine design to equipment handling in the port, to testing, financing installation and the final customer to substantially reduce the Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCoE) of offshore wind.
The consortium has brought together some of Europe’s experienced actors in both on- and offshore wind energy to demonstrate a 12+MW WEC. After a period of 13 month, the implementing OEM suffered insolvency and was substituted by GE, with DTU taking the coordination role for the project, with it’s aim of jointly contributing to the development and consolidation of a competitive market of offshore wind energy in the 12+MW turbine class.
We are confident that ReaLCoE will have a global impact on offshore wind energy market, reinforcing Europe’s technological leadership and bringing growth and job opportunities to the industrial base. Not only in the wind energy sector through the manufacturing, installation and operation of 12+MW WEC in a competitive environment; but also through the provision of cheap, clean energy across an integrated system of renewables. This paves the way for a turbine generation with rated capacities of 12+MW and triggers hundreds of millions in investment into the European clean tech sector.
Today, only less than 30% of the cost for electricity from large offshore wind energy converters incur from the turbine itself. ReaLCoE work to optimise innovation across the whole value chain; from initial turbine design to equipment handling in the port, to testing, financing installation and the final customer to substantially reduce the Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCoE) of offshore wind.
The consortium has brought together some of Europe’s experienced actors in both on- and offshore wind energy to demonstrate a 12+MW WEC. After a period of 13 month, the implementing OEM suffered insolvency and was substituted by GE, with DTU taking the coordination role for the project, with it’s aim of jointly contributing to the development and consolidation of a competitive market of offshore wind energy in the 12+MW turbine class.
We are confident that ReaLCoE will have a global impact on offshore wind energy market, reinforcing Europe’s technological leadership and bringing growth and job opportunities to the industrial base. Not only in the wind energy sector through the manufacturing, installation and operation of 12+MW WEC in a competitive environment; but also through the provision of cheap, clean energy across an integrated system of renewables. This paves the way for a turbine generation with rated capacities of 12+MW and triggers hundreds of millions in investment into the European clean tech sector.
The project started in 2018 with Senvion as wind turbine OEM and consortium member of the ReaLCoE project. The first 13 months of the project was conducted with Senvion as the participating OEM and coordinator working in all work packages and with a strong focus on activities related to the design of the turbine. The initial wind turbine concept and turbine characteristics were determined, and data were provided to the other work packages to be used as the work basis, for fulfilling the project objective, which is to enable direct competition of offshore wind energy with conventional energy. The delivered calculation basis, product data and concept studies were the first steps on the way to demonstrate a wind turbine, which can produce electricity at a target cost of €35-€50/MWh (LCoE).
After Senvion filed insolvency in 2019, the ReaLCoE project was suspended for a period of 29 month, after which the project was resumed with GE as the participating OEM.
The project re-started in October 2021 (M42) with the modified consortium. After resumption of the project with DTU as coordinator and GE as OEM, the process with determination of wind turbine concept and turbine characteristics ware repeated based on GE turbine data and taking the actual starting conditions for GE into account. This means that all previously submitted deliverables, including those related to the project management have been revised, updated and resubmitted.
During the last 6 months (Oct’21 to Apr’22), the consortium has started the collaboration, by signing the contract amendment, and updating the first key deliverables:
• WP1: Tech. specification of design basis completed (D1.1)
• WP2: Key assumptions MOL concepts (D2.1)
• WP3: Requirements verification matrix (D3.1)
• WP7: Insurance/bankability assessment (D7. 2)
• WP8: First communication material developed (D8.2)
• WP9: Project Manual (D9.1) Detailed Project Plan (D9.2) Risk Mitigation Plan (D9.3) Consortium agreement and IP management (D9.4)
The following milestones were reached as part of the restart of the consortium:
• M1 Governance
• M2 Site mapping
• M3 Validation of concept design
After Senvion filed insolvency in 2019, the ReaLCoE project was suspended for a period of 29 month, after which the project was resumed with GE as the participating OEM.
The project re-started in October 2021 (M42) with the modified consortium. After resumption of the project with DTU as coordinator and GE as OEM, the process with determination of wind turbine concept and turbine characteristics ware repeated based on GE turbine data and taking the actual starting conditions for GE into account. This means that all previously submitted deliverables, including those related to the project management have been revised, updated and resubmitted.
During the last 6 months (Oct’21 to Apr’22), the consortium has started the collaboration, by signing the contract amendment, and updating the first key deliverables:
• WP1: Tech. specification of design basis completed (D1.1)
• WP2: Key assumptions MOL concepts (D2.1)
• WP3: Requirements verification matrix (D3.1)
• WP7: Insurance/bankability assessment (D7. 2)
• WP8: First communication material developed (D8.2)
• WP9: Project Manual (D9.1) Detailed Project Plan (D9.2) Risk Mitigation Plan (D9.3) Consortium agreement and IP management (D9.4)
The following milestones were reached as part of the restart of the consortium:
• M1 Governance
• M2 Site mapping
• M3 Validation of concept design
Main objective of ReaLCoE is to develop, test, certify and demonstrate a platform and prototype of a 12+MW offshore WEC that generates electricity at LCoE as low as €35-50/MWh. First results from Senvion’s studies concerning component cost, logistics, operation and service showed, that this envisaged target seems to be achievable. First concept and component developments were initiated, and specific calculations, simulations and design optimisations were performed.
With GE taking over and after 29 month further general development, the basic conditions have also evolved, so that the starting point for the resumption is with the experience gained from the development of the GE 12+MW prototype turbine. This is assumed at this point to make our main objectives and specific objectives achievable with lower risk, even for the increased 14+ MW turbine in the revised project description.
The preliminary parameters of the next turbine generation of GE and the input from deliverable D1.1 are used as operational requirement in design and development of a new built jack-up installation vessel of JDN (Voltaire). The work has provided sufficient technical input to determine the operational limits for WEC logistic and installation in deliverable D2.1 “Key Assumptions MOL Concepts”. The provided data in D2.1 will be used by other project members as essential input for the modelling and optimization in design, fabrication, logistic and installation methods of next generation of WEC’s.
With GE taking over and after 29 month further general development, the basic conditions have also evolved, so that the starting point for the resumption is with the experience gained from the development of the GE 12+MW prototype turbine. This is assumed at this point to make our main objectives and specific objectives achievable with lower risk, even for the increased 14+ MW turbine in the revised project description.
The preliminary parameters of the next turbine generation of GE and the input from deliverable D1.1 are used as operational requirement in design and development of a new built jack-up installation vessel of JDN (Voltaire). The work has provided sufficient technical input to determine the operational limits for WEC logistic and installation in deliverable D2.1 “Key Assumptions MOL Concepts”. The provided data in D2.1 will be used by other project members as essential input for the modelling and optimization in design, fabrication, logistic and installation methods of next generation of WEC’s.