Computing Challenges of

Offshore Wind

Eur Ing John P. Shaw BE MBA CEng MIEI SMIEEE MISAJohn.shaw@mainstreamrp.comCIOMainstream Renewable Power02 November 2011

MEDIN Open Meeting: Tuesday 02 November 2011

The Energy Sector is undergoing A Technology Transformation as it moves to Renewable

Sources

The emerging €6.4 Trillion Offshore Wind Energy Market

is the key to Europe’s Energy Future

The Supergrid is the key enabler for Offshore Wind Energy

To accelerate the Supergrid, An Integrated approach to Computing Innovation,

Standards and Collaboration is needed

Introduction

• Mainstream Renewable Power• Offshore Wind in Europe• Supergrid Enablers• Offshore Wind Developers’ Computing needs• The need for an Integrated Approach

Computing Challenges of Offshore Wind

• Mainstream Renewable Power• Offshore Wind in Europe• Supergrid Enablers• Offshore Wind Developers’ Computing needs• The need for an Integrated Approach

Computing Challenges of Offshore Wind

Vision

Mainstream Renewable Power was founded by Dr. Eddie O’Connor in February 2008.

“ Our vision is of thriving economies and communities

liberated from the restrictions of fossil fuels, using

renewable energy as their

mainstream source of power. “

These 4 key drivers influence the pace of the transition to sustainability

The world is experiencing a once-off historical transition to sustainable fuels: Each one of our 195 countries must go through it.

4 fundamental issues drive this transition ;

• Climate change• Ever-increasing Demand for Energy• Rising Fossil Fuel Prices • Energy Security

Driver 1 : Climate Change

British adventurer and swimmer Lewis Gordon Pugh has become the first person to swim in the icy waters of the North Pole.

16 July 2007

2011 : 2nd Biggest Arctic Ice Melt in Recorded History

In 2009 China surpassed US to become world’s largest Energy Consumer

Driver 2 : Exploding Global Demand for Energy

China is adding 100,000 MW to it’s grid annually

Equivalent to ‘ Adding Germany ‘ each year

By 2030, China & India will add ‘ 23 Germanys ‘

Driver 3 : Rising Fossil Fuel Price

General JN Mattias, USMCMarch 2010

Richard Branson, VirginIan Marchant, SSEFebruary 2010

Oil Price rise by 1,600% percent 1997 – 2007..... Will it do it again by 2020 ?

Driver 4 : Security of Supply

European Commission has intervened to catalyse the switch to Renewables

Source: Allianz 2010

Source: EGL 2007

Europe will become dependent on large Gas Imports, Cash Outflows without EC intervention...

... Via a Continent-wide Grid for Natural Gas yet no equivalent for Electricity exists yet

Crisis, what crisis ?

A transition to Sustainable Energy permanently extracts us from the Energy Crisis

Government Policy

Project Development

Project Construction

Asset Operation & Maintenance

3 Revenue Streams = Profit from sale

Long-term O&M contract

Asset out-performance fee

Sustainability as a business is what we do at Mainstream : wind & solar.

Mainstream’s business model spans 4 key areas ;

Mainstream’s Business Model

Recycle Cash

For New Projects

A sustainable pipeline of Renewable Energy Projects secured

845 MW : Canada

994 MW :Chile

420 MW : Scotland

4,086 MW : South Africa

6,000 MW : England

Mainstream’s 14,000+ MW Projects’ Pipeline

Offices

Offshore

Onshore

1,000 MW : Germany

947 MW : USA

11 Office, 140 Employees, 8 Countries

• Mainstream Renewable Power• Offshore Wind in Europe• Supergrid Enablers• Offshore Wind Developers’ Computing needs• The need for an Integrated Approach

Computing Challenges of Offshore Wind

EU Energy Perspective : Current Investment Mix

Globally > 160,000 MW Wind Power is already Operational

Wind50%Solar

30%

Other Renewables10%

Nuclear10%

Supergrid is the key enabler for the Renewable Energy Future

1,800,000 MW of installed Wind Power needed• Based on projected 2050 energy

requirements

200,000 MW from Onshore Wind : the limit • Europe is the most crowded Continent

1,600,000 MW from Offshore Wind• Plenty of space to grow further• Achievable at €3,600,000.00 per MW

Investment :

• €5.8 Trillion for Offshore Wind Turbines by 2050.

• €0.6 Trillion for associated Offshore transmission

and distribution: Supergrid.

Where is the Wind Resource?2050 Energy Mix

EU Energy Perspective : 2050

Offshore Wind Resource

Offshore Wind in the North Sea : Europe’s best option

Europe’s Electricity Demand

Europe’s Power Demand

EU27 Demand (2008): 3,200 TWh

Offshore Wind Power Available Area considered with 5MW/Km2

North Sea: 35,700,000 MW

Mediterranean Sea: 12,500,000 MWTotal 48,200,000 MW

Equates to: 161,000 TWh

Conclusion :Demand 3,200 TWhSupply 161,000 TWh

Supply v Demand x 50

Mr Brian Hurley, Wind Site Evaluation Ltd. Offshore Wind Resources in EuropeMarseilles, March 2009

Offshore Wind in the North Sea : can meet Europe’s needs x 50

NEART NA GAOITHE

HORNSEA R3 HORIZONT

Mainstream’s Projects in the North Sea

Key Features•Excellent wind resource

•Convenient location for major energy consumers

•10 countries are now focused & organised to developing this resource

•Mainstream has 3 projects in the North Sea:

• Germany• Scotland• England

• 33,000 MW of Offshore Wind Round 3 Development licences issued by Crown Estate in UK waters

420 MW

6,000 MW 1,000 MW

Offshore Wind in the North Sea : will deliver EU Energy Strategy

The Big Picture“...We can get 100 percent of our energy from wind, water, and solar (WWS) power. And we can do it today—efficiently, reliably, safely, sustainably, and economically...

...The obstacles to this transformation are primarily social and political, not technical or economic...”

Dr Mark DelucchiUniversity of California

IEEE Spectrum September 2011

Supergrid is the key technology for this transformation

• Mainstream Renewable Power• Offshore Wind in Europe• Supergrid Enablers• Offshore Wind Developers’ Computing needs• The need for an Integrated Approach

Computing Challenges of Offshore Wind

An electricity transmission system, mainly based on HVDC

designed to facilitate large scale sustainable power

generation in remote areas

for transmission to centers of consumption,

therebyenhancing the energy

market

Supergrid

Key Features•A new transmission backbone for Europe’s decarbonised power sector

•Enables distribution of energy from 1,600,000 MW Offshore Wind Farms

•A transformational approach to electricity generation and distribution

•Captures clean energy generation and delivers firm renewable power across Europe

•Goes beyond existing point-to-point interconnectors

•Innovative technology needed to deliver HVDC Supernode technology

•Requires a strategic partnership across the Supply Chain

•Cost to build Europe’s Supergrid;

€0.6 Trillion Offshore Supergrid€0.6 Trillion Onshore Supergrid

The Wind is always blowing somewhere : create Portfolio Effect

SUPERGRID

Supergrid Consortium

The consortium represents companies and organisations with a mutual interest in promoting the policy agenda for a European Supergrid.

CEO Ana Aguado run the Consortium which exists to accelerate the Supergrid via a 5 point strategy:

1. Develop Standards2. Create Offshore Transmission Operator3. Establish EU Regulations4. Create Single Electricity Market5. Establish legal basis for trading

The Consortium has 20 members

Europe’s Supergrid in 2050

Dr Eddie O’Connor, Mainstream Renewable PowerSupergrid LaunchLondon, March 2010

7 Innovation Trajectories are needed;

1. Bigger Wind Turbines2. HVDC Transmission Cables3. Supernode4. Next-Generation Civil Engineering5. Bigger Construction Vessels6. Bigger Ports 7. Better ICT:

• Intelligent Market for Energy• Risk Management & Modelling• Real-time Pervasive Monitoring

An inevitable transition to sustainability with 7 Innovation Trajectories

Innovation # 1 : Bigger Wind Turbines

Turbines will get bigger : 20 MW Floating Turbines will be viable

Dr Eddie O’Connor, Mainstream Renewable PowerC & F Offshore SummitLondon, April 2009

Source: Garrad Hassan

Bigger, Better turbines are needed

Innovation # 2 : HVDC Transmission Cables

0 200 400 600 800 10000

500

1000

1500

400 kV AC line320 kV dc line

Distance in km

Pow

er in

MW

.

Overhead Cables Sea Cables

400 kV AC line

320 kV DC line

Three 400 kV AC cables

Two 320 kVDC cables

Mr Gunnar Asplund, ABBHVDC Supergrid - Technology and CostsMarseilles, March 2009

75 km land cable

128 km sea cable

400 MW offshoreconverter

400 MW converter

E.ON Netz, Borkum 2, 400 MW HVDC Light

HVDC uses proven technology

SUPERNODE CONCEPT

400 kV

2 x 500 MW

2 x 500 MW

2 x 500 MW

2 x 500 MW

2.4 GW

2.4 GW2.4 GW

2.4GW ± 320kV

“In 2011, only 30% of all power generated uses power electronics somewhere between the point of generation and end use.

  By 2030, 80% of all electric power

will flow through power electronics.”

Office of Electric Delivery & Energy Reliability,

US Dept of Energy

Mr Joe Corbett, Mainstream Renewable PowerDetailed design of the SupernodeMarseilles, March 2009

Innovation # 3 : Supernode

Supernode is a proven concept

Innovation # 4 : Next Generation Civil Engineering

Offshore wind Jack-up

Project Load 7000 – 10 000 tonnes

Crane Capacity 1 000 tonnes

Mr Fenno Leeuwerke, Hochtief Construction Building at Sea and 3rd Generation of ShipsMarseilles, March 2009Bigger, Stronger Jack-up Technology

Innovation # 5 : Bigger Construction Vessels

Mr Fenno Leeuwerke, Hochtief Construction Building at Sea and 3rd Generation of ShipsMarseilles, March 2009Bigger Ships for bigger loads

Innovation # 6 : Bigger Ports & Better Logistics

Requirements for UK’s Offshore Plans;

• Develop two completely new ports• One on either coast of the UK• More than transport nodes• Focal point for regional development• Centres of excellence for R + D• Training centres for

technologists/technicians• New manufacturing centres

Dr Eddie O’Connor, Mainstream Renewable PowerC & F Offshore SummitLondon, April 2009

An entirely new approach to Logistics is needed

Surveying & Modelling the Sea

Wind Turbine Control Systems

Hi-Speed Wireless Communication

Power Distribution Management

Supernode Power Controls

Monitoring & Controlling Risk

Reduce Project Risk & create the Intelligent Market

Innovation # 7 : Better Computing

Technology

• Mainstream Renewable Power• Offshore Wind in Europe• Supergrid Enablers• Offshore Wind Developers’ Computing needs• The need for an Integrated Approach

Computing Challenges of Offshore Wind

Offshore Business Process

Develop Construct Operate

Information needed :SurveyingModellingTurbine Control SystemsWireless CommunicationPower Distribution ManagementProject & Document ManagementRisk Management

Business needs to...Identify & Mitigate RisksAccelerate SurveyingAccelerate ConstructionConnect & Distribute Power

5 % of the € 6.4 Trillion investment will be for ICT Equates to € 320 Billion ICT investment

Reducing Risk is all about Digitising Decision-Making

• Mainstream’s fundamental belief is that marine data is a Public Good.

• It should be collected once and used many times.

• Key needs ; • Accessibility and Management:

• Clear policy of ownership, licensing & access for all publicly funded data collection• Single point of access to marine data and information• Discourage cost-recovery pricing from public bodies

• Data Standards and Quality control: • Common standards across jurisdictions and disciplines• Ensure the above is addressed in publicly funded data collection contracts

• International Coordination:• Harmonised approach across the EU in relation to all of the above:• Links provided and maintained to EU/global databases and initiatives

• Benefits of improved data management ;• Measurable reductions in costs to find, access and retrieve data• Wider and more reliable data and information upon which to base assessments• Mechanisms to share results and data with stakeholders

What Offshore Developers Need from ICT

Developers want to reduce Project Risk

• 4 EU Directives in particular impact industry:

• Marine Strategy Framework Directive – ‘establish and implement coordinated monitoring programmes for ongoing assessment of the environmental status of [member state] marine waters’

• INSPIRE Directive – ‘adopt measures for the sharing of data sets and services between public authorities for the purpose of public tasks and the Environmental Information Directive’

• Birds and Habitats Directive – ‘establish a network known as Natura 2000 (SPA, SACs)

• Data Collection Framework for Fisheries – ‘collect, manage and provide high quality fisheries data for the purpose of scientific advice, mainly for appropriate fisheries management decisions’Shading = initiatives to manage data to satisfy EC

Legislation

EU Marine Data Management

There are many initiatives underway

Marine Knowledge 2020 : Marine Data and Observation for Smart and Sustainable GrowthLaunched 13 September 2010Led by Iain Shephard

Key ObjectivesThis Initiative from the Commission will ensure the following are achieved ;• Data from the EU-supported research programmes are more available for re-

use• Common standards and policies• Contribute towards an interoperable global marine knowledge system Cost

• €1,400.0 Million spent per year by all stakeholders on Marine data collection in Europe• € 110.0 Million spent per year by EU on marine data collection• € 18.5 Million additional allocation per year for EU’s Marine Knowledge 2020 initiative

Marine Knowledge 2020

Offshore Developers will contribute to Marine Knowledge 2020

• Mainstream Renewable Power• Offshore Wind in Europe• Supergrid Enablers• Offshore Wind Developers’ Computing needs• The need for an Integrated Approach

Computing Challenges of Offshore Wind

DepthBathymetry

SeabedSidescan Sonar

Sub-StrataBoomer

WrecksMagnetometer

FoundationsGeotechnics

Waves & CurrentsOceanography

Flora & FaunaEcology

Regulatory ReportsConsultancy

Offshore’s Big Challenge: Digitise Risk-

Management

ISIS

Offshore

Data Types

RiskPrediction

& Mitigation

WindMetMast,Lidar

Collect DataStore Data

Visualise DataIdentify Patterns

Run Scenarios

MappingESA Satellites

A new Integrated Sea Information System (ISIS) is needed

            Wind Farm Phase  

ISIS Layer Value Technology Maturity

Specific Requirements

Reference Standard

Areas for improvement

Survey Phase

Construct Phase

Operate Phase

5. Risk Scenario Identify Project Risk Low

Vectorise parametric data and predict the future. Run various scenarios to identify

best-fit result.

to be defined Develop new technology X X X

4. VisualisationAllow

accurate presentatio

n of real world

Medium

Presentation of n dimensions over time, with colour shading to

display parameters ( surfaces, currents, etc ) and exclusions ( sea-lanes, wrecks,

etc)

to be defined Develop new technology X X X

3. Database

Provide a single

source of validated reference data with time and

GPS stamps

MediumData Historian for time-series data,

linked to RDBMS for query/reports

ODBC compliant Adoption of data historian technology X X X

2. Communications

Provide a reliable

mechanism to transfer data from

Instruments to Database

High

Buffering, compression, Send-

Receive confirmation, TCP/IP, CSV-ASCII file

format,

Complies with EIA232 Encryption. Wireless Communications X X X

1. InstrumentsProvide accurate

measurement of key

parameters

High

Ruggedised Instruments, Self-powered, Linear, meet range and

resolution requirements, IP

addressable

Complies with ANSI/ISA TR77.70.01.2010

Tracking & Reporting of Instrument and Control

Data

Self calibrating instruments, suited to

North Sea EnvironmentX X X

ISIS :5 layers to the Challenge

New Standards, new Technology, integrated approach needed

• Innovation is inhibited by data licence issues: • Data licence issue throughout European waters• Over 400 legal entities have licensed ownership of data in Britain• Need EU Data Ownership Policy

• Innovation is inhibited by regional data strategy variation:• National data archives are at different levels of maturity• Low Interoperability of data and metadata across EU• Need EU standard for data archives

• Role for EU Commission:• Build on existing progress made by data communities• Provide sustainable funding for Innovation• Provide framework for licensing and re-use of data

• Role for ICT Standards:• Build on existing ISA standards in other Sectors ( eg Manufacturing )• Align relevant IEEE / IEC / ISA standards for computer & electrical devices• Provide framework for developing integrated standards across supply chain

ISIS :Barriers to address

Intel are already helping to set standards for Supergrid & Offshore Wind

The Energy Sector is undergoing A Technology Transformation as it moves to Renewable

Sources

The emerging €6.4 Trillion Offshore Wind Energy Market

is the key to Europe’s Energy Future

The Supergrid is the key enabler for Offshore Wind Energy

To accelerate the Supergrid, An Integrated approach to Computing Innovation,

Standards and Collaboration is needed

Conclusion

Mainstream ‘s Business Model http://www.mainstreamrp.com/

Mainstream’s Innovation : A winner in the 2011 Computerworld Innovation Awards http://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/CWHONORS2011/35791/?&

  Mainstream’s Innovation: 2011 Harvey Nash CIO Seminar “ A New Age of Innovation “

http://www.siliconrepublic.com/video/v/596-mainstream-renewables-cio/

Mainstream’ ICT Strategy: Described by Silicon Republichttp://www.siliconrepublic.com/strategy/item/14728-in-the-mainstream

Mainstream & Intel: joint White-Paper & Video on Offshore Wind Farmshttp://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/energy/wind-turbine-availability-excellence.htmlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOlWSWujw8s

Mainstream & Microsoft: Blog on SERA adoption & link to SERA documenthttp://blogs.msdn.com/b/mspowerutilities/archive/2010/06/24/sera-succinctly.aspxhttp://www.microsoft.com/industry/manufacturing/utilities/default.mspx ( see ‘Spotlight’ Section )

Friends of the Supergrid : driving policy and standards http://www.friendsofthesupergrid.eu/

Energy Trends : Oil refinery bottleneck report from Richard Branson & from US Militaryhttp://peakoiltaskforce.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/final-report-uk-itpoes_report_the-oil-crunch_feb20101.pdfhttp://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/joint-operating-environment-2010

IEEE September 2011 : 100 % Renewable Future

http://spectrum.ieee.org/energy/renewables/wind-water-and-solar-power-for-the-world/?utm_source=techalert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=092211

Fortune September 2011 : The need for a Federal Approach to Supergrid http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/09/14/the-power-struggle-for-wyomings-wind/ The Economist September 2011 : Arctic Sea Ice is melting faster than the Climate Models predict

http://www.economist.com/node/21530079

Innovation Value Institutehttp://www.ivi.ie/

Further Information