A new regulatory framework is necessary to support offshore wind investors in developing wind farms and infrastructure ready for future meshed grids, according to WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson.
The current regulations represent the biggest challenge in establishing a meshed offshore grid since they encourage investors to compete in auctions on the lowest price, which ensures there will be only one connection point to a single onshore substation, Dickson said at the mid-term project conference organized by the Horizon 2020 project PROMOTioN (PROgress on Meshed HVDC Offshore Transmission Networks).
The WindEurope CEO stated that the future framework should be supported by a European Offshore Grid blueprint to 2030 and beyond, while the most economically-beneficial sites should be developed first.
The transmission system operator (TSO) could also have an important role in developing a meshed grid, he said, emphasizing that the TSO is responsible for deploying the grid in some countries, thus being able to develop an optimal solution for both the wind and grid promoters. This would bring to a better potential for developing hybrid projects, enabling the supply of electricity to two different markets.
As proposed by WindEurope’s Offshore Working Group, the hybrid projects should add volume to the existing pipeline, should be subject to competition, including project elements, and should build on the short to medium term development plans from governments. Pilot projects should be selected so they do not jeopardize current plans and investments and should benefit from compensation schemes.
According to Dickson, a meshed grid should not be the goal in itself but should be treated as a means of deploying competitive wind generation in the North Sea, since an efficient grid would unlock the unconstrained exchange of energy between countries, with no curtailment, bringing energy from places with higher wind resources.