【欧洲风能协会日立能源】2024海上风电电网下一个前沿阵地研究报告_33页_2mb

Offshore Grids: The Next Frontier in Europe's Energy Transition

Core Content

This document outlines the strategic importance of offshore grids in Europe's transition to a sustainable, carbon-neutral energy system. It emphasizes the need for a coordinated and holistic approach to offshore wind and grid development, highlighting the shift from point-to-point connections to more complex, multi-purpose offshore hybrid projects and ultimately to meshed offshore grids.

Main Viewpoints

1. European Offshore Wind Ambitions

• UK Target: 50 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030.
• EU Target: 111 GW by 2030 and 317 GW by 2050.
• Current Status: In 2022, only 2.5 GW of offshore wind was connected to the grid, significantly below forecasts and highlighting the need for urgent action.

2. Interconnection and Grid Development

• EU Interconnection Target: At least 15% by 2030 to enhance energy security and integrate renewables.
• Subsea Interconnectors: Increasing in number and efficiency, with HVDC technology playing a crucial role in reducing losses and environmental impact.
• Example: The 720 km North Sea Link between the UK and Norway is the longest subsea interconnector in the world.

3. Evolving from Point-to-Point to Meshed Offshore Grids

• Current Approach: Most offshore wind farms use radial or point-to-point connections, often to single countries.
• Future Vision: Meshed offshore grids will connect multiple wind farms and markets, creating more efficient and resilient systems.
• Enabling Technologies: Multi-terminal HVDC systems and pre-engineered offshore solutions are key to this evolution.

4. Key Enablers for Offshore Grid Development

• Policy: The revised TEN-E Regulation supports offshore grid development by streamlining permitting and enhancing cross-border coordination.
• Financing: Clear market signals and investment frameworks are needed to attract funding for complex offshore projects.
• Environmental: Sustainable development and coexistence with marine ecosystems must be prioritized.
• Technical: HVDC technology, energy islands, and interoperability are critical components of the offshore grid ecosystem.

5. Collaboration and Governance

• Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: Essential for cross-border and cross-sector coordination, including initiatives like the North Seas Energy Cooperation.
• Governance Frameworks: Must clearly define roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, including TSOs, developers, and operators, to manage shared infrastructure and ensure transparency and flexibility.

Key Information

• Offshore Grids are seen as the next major step in Europe's energy infrastructure, enabling the efficient integration of large volumes of renewable energy.
• HVDC Technology is a core enabler for offshore grid development, especially for long-distance and high-capacity transmission.
• Energy Islands are proposed as key stepping stones, acting as hubs for offshore wind and interconnectors.
• Interoperability is crucial for the success of meshed offshore grids, requiring both technical and regulatory alignment.
• Supply Chain Resilience is vital, with the need for global collaboration and local manufacturing support to meet the ambitious targets.
• Regulatory and Market Reforms are necessary to reduce investment risks and ensure fair market access for offshore hybrid projects.

Short-to-Medium Term Actions

• Streamline and accelerate permitting and approval processes.
• Activate the right market signals to boost investments.
• Strengthen manufacturing bases and leverage global supply chains.
• Develop clear governance frameworks for shared infrastructure.
• Implement multi-terminal HVDC projects to test and demonstrate interoperability.
• Promote education and training programs to build a skilled workforce for the energy transition.

Conclusion

The document underscores the necessity of a coordinated and innovative approach to offshore grid development in Europe. With the right policies, technologies, and collaborative frameworks, offshore grids can play a pivotal role in achieving Europe's net-zero goals and enhancing energy security and resilience.