Video Pick of the Week - The Anholt Offshore Wind Farm

However, before taking a look at this overwehlming task, let us look at a few facts. It will make the viewing even more of a learning experience!!!

With a site approx. 20km long and approx. 5km wide the Anholt Offshore wind farm covers an area four times the size of the island of Anholt. More than 100 vessels were involved in the construction, and more than 3,000 people were involved offshore in its construction.

The Anholt Offshore Wind Farm is a Danish offshore wind power wind farm in the Kattegat, between Djursland and Anholt island. With a nameplate capacity of 400 megawatts (MW), it is the third largest offshore wind farm in the world (along with BARD Offshore 1) and the largest in Denmark. A cable from the wind farm to Anholt replaces most of the diesel-powered electricity on the island

Economy

The project was conceived in February 2008, as part of the Danish government's Energy Policy Agreement. The wind farm costs an estimated 10 billion Danish kroner (€1.35 bn, US$1.65 bn). During operation, DONG receives a feed-in tariff of 1.051 DKK/kW·h (17 US¢/kW·h) for the first 20 TW·h (about 12–13 years of production), whereas the 207 MW Rødsand 2 receives 0.629 DKK/kW·h for 10 TW·h.

DONG Energy was the only bidder for the project, and received the license to build it in 2010. Newsmedia and politicians suggest a tight schedule with tough sanctions as reasons for the single bid and higher price, and the subsequent Horns Rev 3 offshore wind farm had 4 bidders in 2015 and costs 0.77 DKK/kW·h, well below the 105 øre at Anholt.

Technology

DONG contracted Siemens Wind Power to supply 111 3.6 MW wind turbines for the project, placed in 14 metres (46 ft) water depth.

The transformer platform increases voltage from 33 to 220 kV for transporting the alternating current power 25 kilometres (16 mi) to land through a single 3-conductor cable (diameter 26 cm or 10 in)[14] and a further 56 km (35 mi) to Trige (near Aarhus) where a 400 kV main power hub can distribute the power.

The agreement requires first power to be produced before the end of 2012, and be fully commissioned before the end of 2013. In March 2011, DONG Energy sold 50% of the Anholt wind farm to a consortium consisting of PensionDanmark (30%) and PKA (Pensionskassernes Administration, 20%) for DKK 6 billion (US$1.14 billion) payable in 4 rates between 2011 and 2013.

Usually, turbines are placed in a grid pattern of lines and rows. But the turbines of AOWF are placed in an unusual pattern, governed by two principles: put most of them along the edges, and put most in undisturbed airflow from the main direction, which is West-southwest. This would increase production by 1.5%, a lifetime value of more than 100m DKK.

Construction

On 31 December 2011, the heavy lift vessel (HLV) Svanen placed the first foundation monopile. Official construction of the wind farm started on 13 January 2012. The first turbine was installed on 3 September and connected to the Danish power grid on 21 September.

In May 2013, AOWF became Denmark's largest wind farm when 59 turbines were grid connected, totaling 212MW and surpassing Horns Rev 2. The vessel Sea Installer managed to erect a complete tower (saving time), and installed a wind turbine in 7 hours.

On 19 May 2013, the installation vessel Sea Power erected the last of the 111 turbines at Anholt Offshore Wind Farm. The wind farm achieved full power in June 2013, and was inaugurated and commissioned on 4 September 2013.

Operation

The connection cable has been out of service two times; first the land cable failed for a week in 2014 costing Energinet.dk 9 million DKK in compensation to DONG. In February 2015 the sea cable failed, and Anholt island reverted to its diesel engines. As of 2014, the farm has produced 2,834 GWh.

Now, lots of fun watching the video clip!!

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