Winds of Change: A Study on the Resource Viability of Offshore Wind Energy in Montenegro
Miloš Bogdanović,
Špiro Ivošević
Abstract:The energy produced from renewable sources (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass) provides direct access to clean and safe energy. Offshore wind energy, generated through wind farms, has traditionally relied on fixed structures, whereas innovative floating structures have been commercially applied since 2017. This study investigates offshore areas in Montenegro suitable for wind farm construction. Research on average annual wind speeds has successfully identified a surface area deemed suitable for const… Show more
“…Wind power is considered one of the most important renewable energy resources, and in some countries, wind power accounts for over 20% of their total energy capacity [1]. Offshore wind power, which has potential for large-scale development, low environmental impact, and high capacity (30-50%), has seen increased deployment [2,3]. Europe's offshore wind power capacity reached 25 GW by 2020, with a target set to reach 70 GW by 2030.…”
Offshore wind power has attracted significant attention due to its high potential, capability for large-scale farms, and high capacity factor. However, it faces high investment costs and issues with subsea power transmission. Conventional high-voltage AC (HVAC) methods are limited by charging current, while high-voltage DC (HVDC) methods suffer from the high cost of power conversion stations. The low-frequency AC (LFAC) method mitigates the charging current through low-frequency operation and can reduce power conversion station costs. This paper aims to identify the economically optimal frequency by comparing the investment costs of LFAC systems at various frequencies. The components of LFAC, including transformers, offshore platforms, and cables, exhibit frequency-dependent characteristics. Lower frequencies result in an increased size and volume of transformers, leading to higher investment costs for offshore platforms. In contrast, cable charging currents and losses are proportional to frequency, causing the total cost to reach a minimum at a specific frequency. To determine the optimal frequency, simulations of investment costs for varying capacities and distances were conducted.
“…Wind power is considered one of the most important renewable energy resources, and in some countries, wind power accounts for over 20% of their total energy capacity [1]. Offshore wind power, which has potential for large-scale development, low environmental impact, and high capacity (30-50%), has seen increased deployment [2,3]. Europe's offshore wind power capacity reached 25 GW by 2020, with a target set to reach 70 GW by 2030.…”
Offshore wind power has attracted significant attention due to its high potential, capability for large-scale farms, and high capacity factor. However, it faces high investment costs and issues with subsea power transmission. Conventional high-voltage AC (HVAC) methods are limited by charging current, while high-voltage DC (HVDC) methods suffer from the high cost of power conversion stations. The low-frequency AC (LFAC) method mitigates the charging current through low-frequency operation and can reduce power conversion station costs. This paper aims to identify the economically optimal frequency by comparing the investment costs of LFAC systems at various frequencies. The components of LFAC, including transformers, offshore platforms, and cables, exhibit frequency-dependent characteristics. Lower frequencies result in an increased size and volume of transformers, leading to higher investment costs for offshore platforms. In contrast, cable charging currents and losses are proportional to frequency, causing the total cost to reach a minimum at a specific frequency. To determine the optimal frequency, simulations of investment costs for varying capacities and distances were conducted.
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