Grand challenges in the digitalisation of wind energy

Abstract

Abstract. The availability of large amounts of data is starting to impact how the wind energy community works. From turbine design to plant layout, construction, commissioning, and maintenance and operations, new processes and business models are springing up. This is the process of digitalisation, and it promises improved efficiency and greater insight, ultimately leading to increased energy capture and significant savings for wind plant operators, thus reducing the levelised cost of energy. Digitalisation is also impacting research, where it is both easing and speeding up collaboration, as well as making research results more accessible. This is the basis for innovations that can be taken up by end users. But digitalisation faces barriers. This paper uses a literature survey and the results from an expert elicitation to identify three common industry-wide barriers to the digitalisation of wind energy. Comparison with other networked industries and past and ongoing initiatives to foster digitalisation show that these barriers can only be overcome by wide-reaching strategic efforts, and so we see these as “grand challenges” in the digitalisation of wind energy. They are, first, creating FAIR data frameworks; secondly, connecting people and data to foster innovation; and finally, enabling collaboration and competition between organisations. The grand challenges in the digitalisation of wind energy thus include a mix of technical, cultural, and business aspects that will need collaboration between businesses, academia, and government to solve. Working to mitigate them is the beginning of a dynamic process that will position wind energy as an essential part of a global clean energy future.

Digitalization in the Renewable Energy Sector

“…Considering their significance globally, it is important to identify the challenges facing wind and solar energy today and whether digitalization, geographical region, or field play any role in their diffusion. According to a recent research paper [36], published on behalf of the European Academy of Wind Energy and reviewed extensively by members of the IEA, digital technologies will be a key factor in shaping the industry's future and adoption by improving safety, efficiency, and reliability, while also reducing costs. However, the study identified three main challenges to the digitalization of wind energy: (1) Data: creating FAIR (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, Reusability) data frameworks; (2) Culture: connecting people and data to foster innovation; and (3) Coopetition: enabling collaboration and competition between organizations [36].…”

“…According to a recent research paper [36], published on behalf of the European Academy of Wind Energy and reviewed extensively by members of the IEA, digital technologies will be a key factor in shaping the industry's future and adoption by improving safety, efficiency, and reliability, while also reducing costs. However, the study identified three main challenges to the digitalization of wind energy: (1) Data: creating FAIR (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, Reusability) data frameworks; (2) Culture: connecting people and data to foster innovation; and (3) Coopetition: enabling collaboration and competition between organizations [36]. The study, which involved a literature survey and expert consultation through semi-structured interviews with 44 digitalization experts, mainly from the wind energy sector, made the following key recommendations to address the digitalization challenges facing the sector:…”

“…Funding agencies should fund research on the needs of under-presented groups specifically affected by digitalization of wind energy" [36]; 2.…”

“…Culture: "Businesses should implement DEI best practices such as developing recruiting strategies, mentoring programmes, and personal training. Funding agencies should fund research on the needs of under-presented groups specifically affected by digitalization of wind energy" [36]; 3.…”

“…Coopetition: "Governments and regulators should encourage transparent public energy data which protects personal privacy whilst facilitating innovation and benchmarking. Businesses and funding agencies should support R&D projects that showcase the use of data marketplaces and public energy data" [36].…”