Wind Energy Boom: Next-Gen Turbines & Floating Tech Unlock New Resources
The wind energy sector is booming, with companies like GE, Senvion, and Vestas developing next-generation turbines of 9MW to 12MW or more. Meanwhile, floating offshore wind development is seen as key to unlocking deeper water resources. The Borkum Riffgrund 2 wind farm in Germany is set to generate up to 450MW in 2019.
GE's LM Wind Power predicts rotors of 250 meters or higher are feasible in the near future. Vestas has already developed a 10MW offshore turbine capable of floating and running at full power in wind speeds of 10 meters per second. France's first offshore wind turbine, Floatgen, became fully operational just before the WindEnergy Summit in Hamburg, which saw over 1,400 exhibitors and over 35,000 visitors from 100 countries.
The summit also highlighted the industry's growth, with wind energy being the fastest growing sector in the energy industry. WindEurope predicts over 20GW of wind capacity could be installed annually in Europe between 2030 and 2050. However, Germany's wind installations are expected to drop in 2018 and 2019 due to policy changes and permitting delays, but will rebound by 2020.
The wind energy sector is rapidly evolving, with larger, more efficient turbines and floating technology unlocking new resources. Despite temporary setbacks, the industry's growth trajectory remains strong, with significant installations predicted in the coming decades.
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