Boost to windenergy in the Netherlands

Journal o[ Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 27 (1988) 373-386

373

Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam - - Printed in The Netherlands

BOOST TO WINDENERGY

IN THE NETHERLANDS

R. de Bruljne, Nederlandse Energle Ontwlkkellngs MaatschappiJ, T. Baanen, Nederlandse Energle Ontwikkellngs Maatschappij, NL R.K. Hack, Projektbeheerbureau Energie Onderzoekprojekten, NL

NL

ABSTRACT B_oost to wlndener~y

in the Netherlands

The energy policy of the Netherlands government is centered on two keys intems viz conservation and diversification of fuels. Accordingly, one objective of that policy is to stimulate the use of wind energy for generation of electricity. The government holds the position that the utilization of wind turbine power should be expanded on a large scale. The objective is for i000 MW of wind power to be available by the turn of the century. In order to accelerate the introduction of wind energy the Ministry of Economic Affairs has launched the Integral Wind Energy Program (IWEP), which provides financial support to both manufacturers and operators of wind turbines. In addition, the Ministry for the Environment has introduced an environmental bonus to ensure that windpower generation be concentrated in areas where the benefits will be highest and the environmental impact smallest.

I. CONCLUSIONS

AND OUTLOOK

A boost to windenergy

activities has of late been seen in the Netherlands.

The Integral Wind Energy Program started in 1986 seems to have broken the vicious circle into which both the industry and the market had come after ten years of intensive promotion by the government. The results achieved in the first year of this program are beyond expectations. Therefore, in the Netherlands

one major goal of the IWEP, 150 MW of windenergy

installed

by 1991, seems realistic.

In addition to this program, assure proper siting;

an environmental

this scheme,

bonus is made available

to

too, seems very succesful indeed.

If and when the goals of the IWEP are achieved,

the road will be clear to the

next goal, i.e. i000 MW by the turn of the century. However,

there are both economic and legislative

problems

While the IWEP does make windenergy more economical,

to be solved.

the value of the outcome

in terms of kWhs obviously depends on rival energy prices. The future of windenergy depends,

0167-6105/88/$03.50

therefore,

on the development

of these energy prices.

© 1988 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.

374 Legislative

problems are related to a number of areas,

of space in the

Netherlands.

issue in discussions

Offshore windfarming

the first being lack

has become an important

and studies of windenergy.

Noise emission and the effects on birds are two environmental interest in the Netherlands.

More research and international

issues of high

eoDperation

is

called for here. With regard to the most practical size of wind turbines, a discrepancy Today,

between manufacturers

there is already now

and investors.

turbines of about 300 kW are economically

optimal,

but there is a

strong market demand for economical units of i MW and over. As a next step to achieving

this goal, a consortium of power companies

Megawind,

plans to build 18 I-MW turbines within the framework of the IWEP.

Z. HISTORICAL

in the Netherlands

called

BACKGROUND

2.1 Introduction An expert study carried out in 1979 showed that it was well feasible for windenergy

to account for i0 to 15 % of the domestic electricity

Subsequently,

an extensive R&D program was initiated,

requirement.

the ultimate objective

being iO00 MW of wind energy by the year 2000. For comparison, Netherlands

a number of key figures of power generation

are presented

Installed power Peak load Electricity consumption

in the following

in the

table (year 1986).

15,000 MW i0,000 MW 60.106 kWh/year.

2.2 National Wind Energy Programs The Dutch R&D program for wind energy has shown four distinct phases, which may be summarized as follows.

2.2.1 ~First) Time span Budget Objectives

National Wind Energy Research probram .[NOW i)

: 1976 - 1981 : Dgld. 20 mln (ca. $ 8 mln) : Assessment of the feasibility of wind energy for electricity production in the Netherlands. Designate time period and tools for development of technology.

375 Results Windenergy

can account for up to 10% of the Dutch electricity

demand,

corresponding with i000 MW, without storage and within the existing distribution grid. Zoning and environmental

aspects pose serious, but surmountable,

problems. Tangible results include a fully instrumented experimental axis turbine (ECN 25-m HAT, 300 kW, ill. I), an experimental

horizontal

5.4-m VAT and

several system studies, design tools and databases.

Iii. i: 25-m HAT experimental

turbine

2.2.2 ,Second) National Wind Energy Development Program Time span : 1981 - 1984 Budget : Dgld. 30 mln ($ 12 mln) Objectives : Development of national wind energy technology Results The scope of the research efforts was widened to centralized applications

and small-scale,

cover both large-scale,

decentralized applications.

Testing programs were carried out on the 25--m HAT and an new 15-m VAT with respect to desgin,

performance,

fatigue loads and control schemes. Databases

and safety criteria were established, ponents were built and commissioned.

and test facilities

for turbines and com-

376 Applications

were investigated

in twelve carefully monitored

pilot projects.

Spin-off efforts may be found in a number of small to medium size commercial wind turbines

(such as Bouma, Lagerwey,

cial I-MW unit (FDO-NEWECS-50) companies

in 1984/1985

In spite of almost ten years of serious for

wind energy,

the introduction

in the years 1984 and 1985.

At that time, there were 150 small, operation.

a commer-

WPS-30).

efforts to develope a national technology came to standstill

and FDO-NEWECS-45),

and the experimental windfarm of the joint power

(18 x 300 kW Holec/Po-lenko

Z.2.3 Situation

Polenko,

3 medium size and i large turbine in

For this reason, among others, an interim program was set up in

order to define new strategies.

2.2.4 Interim Wind Energy Program Time span budget Objectives

: 1984 - 1986 : Dgld. 64 mln ($ 32 mln) : Devise a new national wind energy program. Proceed with main current activities.

An evaluation indicated that the stagnation that had developed was much like a vicious circle.

Potential users, particularly

the power companies,

were ready

to invest if only the price was lower. But the prices could not be brought down unless mass production came under way. At that time, all we had in the way of mass production was VSH, a blade manufacturer with advanced expertise and a good marketing policy. Thin order books made it impossible

for turbine manufacturers

sustained R&D efforts and to start mass production.

to make

That is why the Ministry

of Economic Affairs launched the Integral Wind Energy Program (IWEP). It is further discussed in section 3 along with another current program.

3. CURRENT WIND ENERGY PROGRAMS

3.1 Introduction Two p r o g r a m s are now under way in the Netherlands Environment

viz. the IWEP and the

Bonus Scheme for Wind Energy, with an aggrega budget of Dgld.

million ($ 72 mln).

142.5

377 3.1.1 Integral Wind Energy Program 1986-1990 The IWEP has a two-fold objective viz i. I00 to 150 MW of installed windpower by 1990; Z. Improved performance reliability and efficiency of turbines. Expansion

of wind power from 1991 onward should then be possible without sub-

sidy. The IWEP provides for investors.

two types of subsidy viz one for manufacturers

and another

As matters now stand, wind turbines are an attractive proposi-

tion due to the investment

subsidy.

Thus, the turbine industry may expect more orders so that prices will most probably come down. The subsidies ~evelopment

of cost-effectlve

3.1.2 Environmental

that go to manufacturers

manufacturing

are intended for the

techniques and design improvements.

Bonus Scheme The objectives

of this scheme are as

follows. i. Reduce nuisance effects of wind turbines as much as possible by concentration in a limited number of areas 2. Locate turbines in areas where the output will be highest. The Ministry authorities,

for the Environment,

has designated

in conjunction with the provincial

twenty areas in seven provinces.

Only in these areas do operators

qualify for an environmental

areas have been selected with the wind regime, environmental

bonus. The

impact and zoning

aspects in mind. Nature reserves and urban areas are obviously excluded.

3.2 Market Development

Schema/Environmental

Bonus Scheme

Both schemes set out to encourage operators

to utilize wind energy by sub-

sidizing the purchase of wind turbines, with a complementary wind turbines

to be concentrated

in areas that are most suitable from a zoning

point of view. The two schemes may be summarized as follows. Dgld./kW

(Dgld.

Year 198b

IWEP 700

1990

I00

i = $ 0.50) EBS 250

50

bonus in order for

Total Subsidy 950

150

Subsidies in

378 The following budgets are available: (all amounts in Dutch guilders) Market Development Scheme Environmental Subsidies Total budget for 1986-1990

: 68.5 mln : i0.0 mln : 78.5 mln

The gradual reduction of subsidies

in the years 1986 through 1990 is to be

offset by the lower cost prices to be achieved through mass production and proouct development.

Cost prices must allow profitable operation by 1990.

The installed power is maximized

to the blade diameter as follows.

Max. installed power

Size of wind turbine

to be subsidized

Potor swept area

(m')

(kW/m')

0.45

<255

0.55 0.60

255 ~ Area & 490 >490

111.2: max. installed power/m 2

Subsidies are granted on three main conditions viz. i. The manufacturer must have an approved business plan (see also 4.1 Business Plan) 2. Turbines must have a quality certificate issued by EN (Energy Research Foundation) (see also 4.2 Quality Certificate) 3. The supplementary environmental bonus is granted for turbines to be located in each of the following areas

/

379 The controlling

authority

Energy Development

of the latter two schemes is NEOM (Netherlands

Organization),

whose activities

further include the collec-

tion of output figures and performance measurements

for a number of units.

3.3 The Industrial R&D Program The purpose of this sub-program is to stimulate the development and efficient wind turbines The profitability

of reliable

in the period from 1986 through 1990.

of turbines to be developed must meet or exceed the

following criterion: Full load hours ffi 1.25 investment per kW

(Vpot = 6 m/s)

The scheme serves to support turbine development expenditure,

by subsidizing 70% of R&D

with a maximum of Dgld. 7.5 million per manufacturer.

available budget is Dgld.

The

37 mln ($ 18.5)

In order for a manufacturer to qualify, it is necessary that: • he has an approved business plan and R&D plan; • the turbines be developped and manufactured within the Netherlands• The controlling

authority

is the Management

Office for Energy Research (PEO).

The Industrial R&D Program is regulated by public law.

3.4 National Research Program for Wind Energy (NOW 3) This program is aimed at: i. supporting industrial turbine development and application until 1990 through applied research available in the public domain; 2. developing advanced turbine designs for commercial application after 1990. The available

budget is Dgld. 27 mln ($ 13.5)

The research is contracted sulting engineers. contract.

to research institutes,

In a number of cases,

universities

and con-

the industrial input is covered by the

380 4. BUSINESS PLAN - QUALITY CERTIFICATE

4.1 Introduction In our country, it is possible to inspect both the business plan and the proOucts of a particular manufacturer.

This affords to buyers that a greater

amount of certainty as to quality and after-sales service.

Such inspections are

of vital importance with respect to the Netherlands market. As pointed out in section 3, turbine operators in the Netherlands must buy an approved unit form an approved manufacturer if they wish to qualify for an IWEP subsidy.

4.2 The Business Plan The business plan of a manufacturer needs to be approved if his costumers are to receive a subsidy for the purchase of turbines (Market Development Scheme) and is he is to receive a subsidy for his own product research (Industrial R&D Program). The business plan should state in how far and in what manner the commercial activities contribute to the objectives of the IWEP being achieved. This may be tabulated as follows. Maker's objectives

IWEP objectives

i. Turbine sales at home in 1986-1990 2. Product spec's and unit cost in 1986-1990 3. Financial position in 1986-1990

i. 150 MW in 1990 2. Profitable turbines by 1990 3. Lasting employment opportunities

Furthermore, when a manufacturer applies for an R&D subsidy, he should provide in a development plan a detailed description of his product policy. The achievement of the business plans is assessed annually and approval may be withdrawn on reasonable grounds. Approvals are granted and assessments made by PEO with advice from a management consultancy firm and an independant advisory council. The business plans of the following nine manufacturers were approved in mid-1986.

381 Name

Country EBD

Turbines

,S~bsidy Bouma NL Berewoud NL Lagerwey NL Newlnco NL NCH NL Trasco NL Stork/FDO/WES NL ~MZ Belgium Wenergy Denmark

+ + + + + + + -

160-1000 160-1000 75- 400 75- 250 75- 250 175- 200 I000 300-1000 300-1000

kW kW kW kW kW kW kW kW kW

Approval of a business plan serves t o keep public funds from being invested in companies and their product) with inadequate long-term perspectives of insufficient relevance to wlnd power in the Netherlands.

4.3 ~uality Certificate In order to qualify for a subsidy from the Market Development Scheme, it is necessary for a quality certificate to be issued for the turbine in question. Such certificates cover the following aspects: - structural and operational safety of the turbine; - the power performance of the turbine; - the acoustic noise emission of the turbine.

In the future,

the aspects to be assessed will be extended to include the

long-term reliability. This can best be achieved by the introduction of a quality control system in the manufacturing process. Certification is effected by ECN (Energy Research Foundation) contract with the manufacturer regardless of his nationality,

under a

and covers the

following items. - review of design calculations and compliance with the pertinent standards (design assessments); field test of the safety systems and control systems (functional test); measurement of the P-V curve; - measurement of the acoustic source level.

-

-

Measurement may take place on a turbine at the ECN field for power ratings up to 500 kW, or else.

382

iii. 3: ECN Test Field at Petten

The design requirements for small turbines up to 20 m in diameter given in NEN Standard 6096 (ref. 2). To the writer's knowledge, most stringent in the world.

the ECN certification procedure is perhaps the It affords operators an accurate and reliable

indication of all important quality aspects of a turbine. Furthermore,

local authorities

in the Netherlands require an approval cer-

tificate for the issue of a building permit. This is especially for reasons of safety and noise nuisance. following turbines: Lagerwey 15 m/75 Bouma 20 m/160 Newinco 23 m/250 Trasco 22 m/175

-

-

-

-

kW kW kW kW

Such approvals have to date been granted for the (2 (3 (3 (3

blades) blades) blades) blades)

5. OVERVIEW OF CURRENT ACTIVITIES As pointed out in section 4, an approved business plan and a quality certificate must be available in order for investors to qualify for an IWEP subsidy At the moment there are four turbines that meet these requirements (see Table sub 4.3). Consequently,

subsidies have been granted to date for only a limited

number of projects but many are to follow in what remains of this year.

383

i~

I

(kW)

i - -

0-100

101-200

201-300

D

301-500

501-1000

IIi. 4: A p p l i c a t i o n s for IWEP subsidy filed until November 1987

A p p r o v e d projects include the following: Projects > i M W : II (35 MW) Power companies : 65 % Private : 35 % Main h a r d w a r e projekts: • W i n d f a r m (near Urk) 25 x 300 kW ffi 7.5 M W - U t i l i t y of O v e r i j s s e l (IJsselmij.) • W i n d f a r m (Delfzijl) 22 x 160 k W = 3.5 M W - F o u n d a t i o n 'Promotion W i n d Energy NL' • W i n d f a r m (Callantsoog) 18 x 160 k W = 2.9 MW - P r o v i n c i a l Utility of N o r t h ~olland -(PEN) • W i n d f a r m (Zijpe) 15 x 75 k W = i.I M W - P r o v i n c i a l U t i l i t y of N o r t h H o l l a n d (PEN). This w i n d f a r m consists of 15 m a c h i n e s of 5 different makes, 3 turbines of each type. A v e r a g e rated power is 75 kW. • W i n d f a r m (Hoeksche Waard) 16 x 250 k W = 4 M W - R e g i o n a l E l . - C o m p a n y D o r d r e c h t • W i n d f a r m (Herbayum) 12 x 250 kW = 3 M W - P r o v i n c i a l U t i l i t y of F r l e s l a n d

(kW)

384 The permit requirements have often proved to be a roadblock in the realization of projects.

In a densely populated country as ours, stringent regulations

to contrul private and public nuisance are obviously useful and necessary,

and

inevitably lead to selecetive zoning. There are numerous possibilities for residents and interest groups to appeal, which they do. This leads to protracted processing, withdrawal,

if not rejection or

of applications.

The Ministry for the Environment has applied some leverage here by providing an additional subsidy for selected areas. This particular scheme has had a dramatic effect in that approx.

80% of the wind power yet to be installed is

planned in these areas. Given the limited number of suitable sites, if wind power is to make a signiticant contribution it is essential that turbine sizes are increased. In the long run, the same may well apply on a global scale.

Megawlnd

A number of utilities in the Netherlands has formed a consortium, Megawind, which has meanwhile ordered eighteen I-MW units from FDO-WES. The first three units are to be delivered next year.

Ill. 5: I-MW turbine FDO-WES at Medembllk

385 As a result of the difficult licensing procedures described earlier, the Dutch designs are based on advanced technology in order to achieve high environmental compatibility, including low noise levels. Make

Lagerwey Bouma

Max. Power (kW) 75 160

Acoustic Noise L e v e l (dB(A)) 94 97

Also, a large body of know-how has meanwhile accumulated in the Netherlands regarding ornithological effects and social acceptance of wind power. It is anticipated that countries less densely populated than ours will in the longer term benefit form this experience when they start introducing wind power in earnest. In the mean time, however, siting will continue to he a problem which will need to be addressed and resolved in the future. Alleviation of the environmental impact alone will not do. At present, the sites are mainly along open surface water. At some point we may need to seek solace further inland or, the other extreme, out onto the water.

References I. The Use of Wind Energy as an Energy Source in the Netherlands; the state of the Art, by It. H.J.M. Beurskens, Netherlands Energy kesearch Foundation. 2. Draft NEN-6096, Safety Standard for Wind

Turbines. Nederlands Elektrotechnisch Committee. 3. Rulmte voor wind (Space for Wind) RijksPlanologlsche Dienst 1987. 4. Electriciteit in Nederland 1986 (Electricity in the Netherlands 1986) Arnhemse instellingen (Joint Power Companies) 5. Staatscouranten 1986, hrs. 196 en 249. (State Journals 1986, Nos. 196 and 249).

386 Addresses Management Office for Energy Research (PEO) ~.0. Box 842 NL 3503 RE UTRECHT tel. + 31-30-333131 Netherlands Energy Development Company (NEOM) P.O. Box 17 NL 6130 AA SITTARD tel. + 31-4490-14451 Netherlands Energy Research Foundation P.O. Box 1 NL 1755 LA PETTEN tel. + 31-2246-4949