Twinning for an Offshore Wind Energy Partnership

Project Information

TWIND

Grant agreement ID: 857631

DOI

10.3030/857631

Project closed

EC signature date 18 June 2019

Start date 1 July 2019

End date 31 December 2022

Funded under

• Twinning of research institutions

Total cost

€ 795 825,00

EU contribution

€ 795 825,00

Coordinated by

WAVEC/OFFSHORE RENEWABLES - CENTRO DE ENERGIA OFFSHORE ASSOCIACAO
Portugal

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - TWIND (Twinning for an Offshore Wind Energy Partnership)

Reporting period: 2020-10-01 to 2022-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The TWIND project aimed to improve the offshore wind energy sector in Portugal by creating a network of excellence to enhance the capabilities of specialized researchers. The project sought to support the growth and development of the emerging industry in the country, which lacked a dedicated training program. The Portuguese Government had approved the Industrial Strategy for Ocean Renewable Energies (EI-ERO) prior to the project to develop the country's offshore wind potential.

In September 2022, the Portuguese government announced plans to conduct an offshore wind power auction with the goal of achieving a capacity of 10 GW. This represents a major step forward in the country's ambitions to become a leader in offshore wind energy production. The auction will provide an opportunity for developers and investors to bid on projects and contribute to the growth of the sector. With favourable conditions, such as strong winds and a long coastline, the Portuguese government is confident in the country's potential to become a major player in the offshore wind energy market.

In January 2023, the Portuguese government opened a public hearing on the proposals for the delimitation of deployment areas ahead of the country's first offshore wind tender. This is an important step towards realizing the government's goals of promoting the growth of the industry and ensuring a secure, reliable and sustainable energy system.

TWIND provided outstanding results and proved highly relevant in preparing WavEC and its staff to a new and exciting stage in the offshore wind sector, particularly in Portugal. The project was absolutely timely in raising WavEC’s profile and equipping its staff with extended expertise and enhanced capabilities to support the sector (both including senior staff and recently hired junior staff following the increased job mobility dynamics due to the COVID-19 pandemic). WavEC is today a cornerstone institution in the Portuguese context, sought by the most relevant players in the offshore wind sector to provide services and consultancy support as a preparation to the upcoming auctions, as per the below. In addition, WavEC gained clear traction in EU framework programme projects in the sector and in associated sectors, being often invited to join proposals’ consortia.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The TWIND project aimed to enhance the scientific and technological expertise in the offshore wind energy sector in Portugal by sharing knowledge with three target groups: senior staff, early-stage researchers, and stakeholders interested in offshore wind. The project was structured around five operational work packages and one work package dealing with ethics requirements, and joint activities were developed to stimulate networking among researchers addressing priority research areas of the SET Plan on Offshore Wind.

During the first period, the project organized the first think-tank meetings, staff-exchanges, and identified early-stage researchers and senior staff. A Stakeholder Engagement Plan was drafted, and an Offshore Wind Supply Chain Matrix was implemented and validated. Relevant stakeholders were approached through conferences, events, and other communication channels. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, some activities were postponed or modified to fit an online format, allowing for a higher level of engagement and in-depth development of the activities.

The second reporting period achieved the project's goal through various initiatives aimed at both junior and senior researchers, including staff exchange programs, short courses, and Think-Tank meetings focused on specialized topics of interest for all partners. Despite not having any offshore wind proposals accepted, WavEC's participation in the project has provided specialized training, know-how, and expertise that have positioned the company as a prominent player in the industry in Portugal.

WavEC's involvement in the development and operation of two offshore renewable energy test sites in Portugal, Aguçadoura, and Viana de Castelo, is a significant milestone. WavEC's participation in the EU-SCORES project and discussions with regulatory entities show their commitment to promoting offshore renewable energy development in Portugal. The creation of a supply chain matrix was a crucial part of the TWIND project, aimed at promoting collaboration and partnership-building among companies and organizations in the offshore wind sector in Portugal.

Overall, the TWIND project has been crucial for the growth and advancement of offshore renewable energy in Portugal, and WavEC's effort, with the help of the TWIND consortium, has provided the company with a competitive advantage in the offshore wind industry, enabling them to offer more services and participate in more projects in the offshore wind sector.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The TWIND project has made significant impacts on both the socio-economic and wider societal implications of renewable energy. Through its networking activities and exchange of knowledge, the project has stimulated research activities and highly qualified services that benefit not only WavEC and its partner organizations but also Portugal and the European Union as a whole. The project has engaged with the stakeholder community, with a focus on the offshore wind supply chain in Portugal and key EU countries.

The deployment of the WindFloat Atlantic pre-commercial floating offshore wind farm marked a significant milestone in the development of commercial offshore wind farms in Portugal, and TWIND took these new progressions into consideration in the preparation of its activities and events. In September 2022, the Portuguese government announced plans to conduct an offshore wind power auction with a goal of achieving a capacity of 10 gigawatts, and these new progressions were also taken into consideration in the preparation of the TWIND activities and the final event.

WavEC has benefited from the TWIND program by improving its excellence and innovation capacity through the exchange of knowledge with its partners and the development of new knowledge. The organization has strengthened its capabilities and built upon its existing strengths through the various initiatives organized within the project, including staff exchanges, think tanks, workshops, online summer school, short courses, and a final event.

The impacts of the TWIND project are significant both in terms of socio-economic and wider societal implications. The project represents a crucial step forward in the transition towards a more sustainable energy system.

Overall, the TWIND project has laid the foundation for the development of a more collaborative and cohesive offshore wind community, which is essential for the successful commercialization of this industry. The new knowledge generated through the project is expected to underpin innovative services to the offshore wind industry beyond the end of the project, ensuring the continued growth and expansion of this sector.

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