“Nissum Bredning Vind is a small project capacity-wise, especially when compared to other offshore wind power projects. But it is extremely significant in terms of innovation: we’ve tested and validated several new technologies here, from a 66 kV transmission system to jacket foundations with concrete transition pieces to a cable-in-pipe installation,” says Andreas Nauen, CEO of the Offshore Business Unit at Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE). “These innovations all share the common goal of reducing the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCoE) from offshore wind. Successfully completing this project proves that they are capable of doing so, including being available for commercial deployment.”
Cost reductions of up to 30% compared to traditional elements can be provided by some of the elements installed at Nissum Bredning Vind. The innovative cable-in-pipe installation, where standard onshore cables are installed in plastic pipes from the mainland as well as between the turbines, lowers capital expenditures compared to employing offshore cables. Gravity jacket foundations provide a soil interface at normal water depths which can be made more cost-efficient versus classic jacket foundations. Furthermore, the concrete transition piece can be made at a cost level of up to 30% lower than a steel transition piece. Also, the 66 kV transmission system reduces transmission losses, providing the customer with a higher energy output - and thus higher revenue - from each turbine.
“We at Siemens Gamesa have been leaders in the offshore wind industry for many years. Our strong ambition is to continue to be so. Testing new technologies on projects like Nissum Bredning Vind helps us to stay at the forefront of technology, driving our company and the entire industry forward,” Nauen concludes.
About Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy
Siemens Gamesa is a global leader in the wind power industry, with a strong presence in all facets of the wind business: offshore (#1), onshore (#2) and services (#2). In 2017 Siemens Gamesa was the number-one company in the sector, with a 17% share of new capacity installed, according to MAKE Consulting.
Through its advanced digital capabilities, the company offers one of the broadest product portfolios in the industry as well as industry-leading service solutions, helping to make clean energy more affordable and reliable. With 85 GW installed worldwide, Siemens Gamesa manufactures, installs and maintains wind turbines in the onshore and offshore segments. Its order backlog stands at €22 billion. The company is headquartered in Spain and listed on the Spanish stock exchange (traded in the Ibex-35 index).
