Gone with the wind? Wind farm–induced wakes and regulatory gaps

Summary – Wind farm–induced wakes can propagate dozens of kilometres, lowering the facility manufacturing and the fatigue lifetime of wind generators between neighbouring farms. This phenomenon termed hereinafter “wind theft”, might result in authorized conflicts between wind farm operators and even States as energy manufacturing from a wind farm is affected by the wake results generated by one other, decreasing energy output. Wind theft can considerably decelerate the event of offshore wind if it’s not regulated by a transparent authorized framework. On this research, we current the case of Sørlige Nordsjø II, a big offshore space that opened for wind turbine licensing utility in 2020, is explored. This space is positioned within the Norwegian unique financial zone (EEZ) on the border to the Danish equal zone. Utilizing state-of-the-art reanalysis information overlaying 1992–2020, it’s proven that lengthy farm-induced wake will possible propagate repeatedly from SN2 into the Danish EEZ and vice versa. This analysis reveals how the United Nations Legislation of the Sea Conference 1982 leaves a regulatory hole relating to cross-border wind wake results. As Europe crucially must broaden its renewable power manufacturing and work in direction of its internet zero goals by 2050, coastal States ought to cooperate to seek out regulatory options to wake results such that wind useful resource administration will be optimised. Whereas some North Sea coastal States reveal a political will to cooperate, such insurance policies should proliferate into authorized devices which lend certainty and predictability to wind useful resource administration.

Eirik Finserås, Ignacio Herrera Anchustegui, School of Legislation and Bergen Offshore Wind Centre, College of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
Etienne Cheynet, Cristian Guillermo Gebhardt, Joachim Reuder, Geophysical Institute and Bergen Offshore Wind Centre, College of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

Marine Coverage
Quantity 159, January 2024, 105897
doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105897

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