Explanatory report. WINDANKER Offshore Wind Farm

Transcription

1 concerning the application for planning permission in accordance with 2 of the SeeAnlV for the construction and operation of the WINDANKER Offshore Wind Farm Applicant and Project Owner IBERDROLA Renovables Deutschland GmbH Charlottenstraße Berlin Berlin, 13. April 2016

2 Table of contents 1 Subject of the document Brief description of the project Applicant Legal and planning framework Planning procedure Energy policy objectives Federal Offshore Plan Baltic Sea (BFO-O) Offshore Grid Development Plan Regional planning for the German EEZ in the Baltic Sea Description of the project Project area Wind turbine Foundation of the OWTGs Crater protection Corrosion protection Transformer platform Foundation structure for transformer platform Scour protection Corrosion protection Cabling within the wind farm Construction measures Installation of the OWTGs Installation of the transformer platform Cabling within the wind farm Decommissioning Impact on public concerns affected by the project Sea environment and bird migration Ship traffic Air traffic Pipelines and sea cables Raw material extraction Military interests Fishing Tourism Version: 13. April

3 6.9 Material and cultural assets Neighboring wind farms Other checked options Justification of plan Safety and precautionary measures Schedule and action plan Works cited Version: 13. April

4 List of abbreviations AIS AVV EEZ ROV EEZ North Sea BAW Research Agency) BBergG Automatic Identification System Allgemeine Verwaltungsvorschrift (General Administrative Regulation) Exclusive Economic Zone ROV for the German EEZ of the North Sea Bundesamt für Wasserbau (Federal Waterways Engineering and Bundesberggesetz (Federal Mining Act) BSH CONTIS DFS EnWG R & D FFH HVDC IALA LEP ODAS OWTG OWP ROG ROV SeeAnlV SeeAufgG SRÜ StUK UK Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie (Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency) Continental Shelf Information System Deutsche Flugsicherung (German Air Traffic Control) Energiewirtschaftsgesetz (German Energy Act) Research and Development Flora Fauna Habitat High-Voltage Direct Current International Association of Lighthouse Authorities Landesentwicklungsplan (Development Plan for a Federal State) Ocean Data Acquisition System Offshore Wind Turbine Generator Offshore-Windpark (Offshore Wind Farm) Raumordnungsgesetz (German Regional Planning Act) Raumordnungsverfahren (Regional Planning Procedure) Seeanlagenverordnung (Marine Facilities Ordinance) Seeaufgabengesetz (Federal Maritime Responsibilities Act) Seerechtsübereinkommen der Vereinten Nationen (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) Standard Untersuchung der Auswirkungen von Offshore-Windenergieanlagen auf die Meeresumwelt (Investigation of the Impacts of Offshore Wind Turbines on the Marine Environment); as of February 2007 United Kingdom Version: 13. April

5 UVPG Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfungsgesetz (Environmental Impact Assessment Act) ÜNB TSS WT WSD WSV Übertragungsnetzbetreiber (Transmission System Operator) Traffic Separation Scheme Wind Turbine Wasser- und Schifffahrtsdirektion (Waterways and Shipping Directorate) Wasser- und Schifffahrtsverwaltung (Federal Waterways Administration) Index of Figures Figure 1: Location of the Windanker OWP project area... 7 Figure 2: BFO-O 2013, spatial positioning of the cluster in the German EEZ in the Baltic Sea Figure 3: BFO-O 2013, diagram summarising connection lines (2030) Figure 4: Cable for the wind farm and route corridor for the network connection Figure 5: O-NEP 2025 grid network connection cluster in the Baltic Sea, initial design Figure 6:confirmed O-NEP 2024; diagram of the OST-B-1 connection system Figure 7: O-NEP 2025, first draft, new OST-B-1 AC connection Figure 8: Integrating of the project into the spatial plan for the German EEZ in the Baltic Sea Figure 9: Location of the project area Figure 10: Detailed diagram of the wind farm with corner points Figure 11: Location of the wind farm and neighbouring projects Figure 12: Front-view of planned wind turbine generator (Conceptual design, Ramboll Feb 2016) 24 Figure 13: Schematic drawing of a monopile foundation Figure 14: Front-view of a potential substation (Ramboll 2016) Figure 15: Transformer platform of the OWF Wikinger (example) Index of Tables Table1: Key data for the Windanker OWP... 9 Table2: Corner coordinates of the Windanker OWP project area Table 3: Technical data about the OWTGs Table4: Ships expected during the construction phase Version: 13. April

6 Version: 13. April

7 1 Subject of the document This explanatory report is one of the planning documents forming the application for planning permission to construct and operate the Windanker Offshore Wind Farm. The applicant is Iberdrola Renovables Deutschland GmbH. According to 2 sub-section 1 of the SeeAnlV, the hearing authority and the authority responsible for the plan approval is the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency. The planning documents consist of the following sections: I. List of the submitted planning documents II. including plan justification III. Drawn representations IV. Construction inventory V. Ecology VI. Shipping / aviation / other military matters VII. Issues regarding neighbouring uses VIII. Additional documents in accordance with 4 of the SeeAnlV The explanatory report shows the existing legal and planning framework for this application for planning permission, describes the project and any interests affected by the project and presents the aspects for consideration. Furthermore, other potential solutions are examined and justification for the project is given. Version: 13. April

8 2 Brief description of the project The Windanker offshore wind farm project covers the construction and operation of 42 offshore wind turbine generators, an offshore transformer platform and the cable required by the wind farm. The coordinates of the turbines are detailed in the construction inventory in section IV of the planning documents. The project area is about 38 km northeast of the Jasmund National Park on the German island of Rügen, immediately to the north of the especially suitable area outlined in 3a of the SeeAnlV and the Westlich Adlergrund wind energy priority area according to the ROV for the German EEZ of the Baltic Sea. The closest point on the mainland is the southern area of the Greifswalder Bodden in the municipality of Lubmin, which is 82 km away. The size of the project area is 17.9 km². The water depth is between 41 and 45 m. Figure 1: Location of the Windanker OWP project area Plans are based on using a 6 MW class wind turbine. It is considered that this power class will be well established on the market by the time the wind turbines are to be purchased. In order to take into account the emerging developments in the area of wind turbine technology, these documents assume a rotor blade diameter of up to 180 m. The hub elevation is 110 m. Version: 13. April

9 It is envisaged that construction for this project will begin in 2022 and operation is scheduled to begin in The project action plan and schedule can be found in section VIII of the planning documents. The project is located in grid network connection cluster 1, according to the Federal Offshore Plan for the German EEZ in the Baltic Sea. The schedule for construction and commissioning correlates with the schedule for commissioning of the grid connection. These details were confirmed by the German Federal Network Agency in its Offshore Network Development Plan 2024, as well as in the first draft of the transmission system operator s Offshore Grid Development Plan These plan documents work on the assumption that the network connection for this cluster will be in operation in The network connection between the offshore transformer platform at the wind farm itself and the feed point nearest the mainland, which allows the electricity generated at sea to be fed out, is the responsibility of the responsible transmission system operator, 50Hertz Transmission GmbH. The network connection is therefore not a matter that is addressed in this application. The responsible transmission system operator, 50Hertz Transmission GmbH, has been commissioned with providing the network connection. Close business contact has been established with transmission system operator 50Hertz. It is already involved in implementing the Iberdrola Wikinger offshore wind farm (construction beginning May 2016) and in the early planning stages of Iberdrola s planned Iberdrola projects, such as the Windanker offshore wind farm that this application concerns. Table1: Key data for the Windanker OWP Project area Size of the project area Water depth Distance from the island of Rügen Distance from mainland approximately 17.9 km² m 38 km 82 km Technical concept Number of OWTGs 42 Number of transformer platforms 1 Power class of the OWTGs Total power output of the wind farm Rotor blade diameter Hub elevation 6 MW 252 MW up to 180 m up to 110 m Version: 13. April

10 3 Applicant The applicant for the Windanker offshore wind farm project is Iberdrola Renovables Deutschland GmbH (formerly Iberdrola Renovables Offshore Deutschland Zwei GmbH). Business division for renewable energy Iberdrola Renovables The particular focus of the Renovables business division is on promoting, constructing and operating power generation plants using renewable energy sources, as well as selling the electricity that is generated. The company is currently concentrating on wind energy and energy from small hydroelectric plants. Iberdrola is also involved in the development of other technologies such as thermal solar plants, tidal power and generating energy from biomass. Its operating wind farms have over 13,500 MW of capacity, making Iberdrola the world market leader in the area of wind energy. At present, the Renovables division is operating in more than ten countries and it currently employs around 2,000 employees. In recent years, the Iberdrola Renovables business division has become the largest source of growth in the Iberdrola Group. The Iberdrola Group has a presence in around 40 countries. It is one of Spain s leading companies in the energy sector and it is one of the five largest electricity providers in the world. The Iberdrola Group currently employs around 27,000 people around the world. Iberdrola Renovables and offshore wind energy Iberdrola is making full use of the development of offshore wind energy. This is because, as a technology for generating electricity from renewable energy, it is at least equal to onshore wind energy in terms of efficiency, costs and volumes of energy generated. Offshore wind projects are currently being developed in Germany and the United Kingdom, and preparations are underway in other European countries. In the United Kingdom, Iberdrola is involved in the development of a variety of offshore projects with a total output power of 9.5 GW. Some of the projects are joint ventures, with Iberdrola s share amounting to around 5.7 GW. As an example, its subsidiary ScottishPower has a two thirds share in the West of Duddon Sands wind farm on Britain s West Coast, which has a capacity of 389 MW and is a joint venture with Dong Energy. The West of Duddon Sands wind farm was commissioned in Iberdrola, together with Vattenfall Europe, was also part of a consortium of bidders that successfully took part in the third stage of the UK Crown Estate s offshore tender process. This joint venture received exclusive rights to the Norfolk Zone (now called East Anglia), which has the potential to harness up to 7.2 GW of power. In France, Iberdrola is involved in a joint venture with Ailes Marine (eole RES and Caisse des Dépôts) at a 496 MW offshore wind farm called St Brieux. Iberdrola is also helping with the preparation for the development of offshore wind energy in Spain. Version: 13. April

11 Additionally, Iberdrola is involved in R & D projects for offshore wind energy, such as the Offshore Wind Accelerator project, which is supported by the Carbon Trust in the UK and focuses on cost reduction. This area of work also involves analysing new concepts for foundations, such as floating foundations, and promoting new forms of research infrastructure for offshore wind energy. IBERDROLA Renovables Deutschland GmbH Since 1 July 2005, Iberdrola has been represented on the German market by its subsidiary, Iberdrola Renovables Deutschland GmbH. Iberdrola Renovables Deutschland GmbH is chiefly active in the area of offshore wind energy. Iberdrola is a member of the EWEA, the Bundesverband Windenergie (German Wind Energy Association), the Stiftung Offshore Windenergie (Offshore Wind Energy Foundation) and the Offshore Forum Windenergie (Forum for Offshore Wind Energy). One of the key goals for Iberdrola Renovables Deutschland GmbH is to develop its activities in the sustainable market in Germany in the medium and long term. It especially aims to become a wellestablished, long-term power plant operator in the offshore areas of the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Having taken over the entirety of the project rights in March 2010, Iberdrola became the owner of the Wikinger offshore wind farm (previously Ventotec Ost 2) in the Westlich Adlergrund cluster. Iberdrola will use the port of Sassnitz-Mukran for the construction of the Wikinger offshore wind farm. The port of Sassnitz-Mukran will also be used for operation and maintenance. A company building will be erected there for this purpose. In order to ensure that the Westlich Adlergrund cluster is used efficiently, Iberdrola has made applications for planning permission not only for the Windanker offshore wind farm, which is the subject of this application, but also for the Wikinger- Süd and Wikinger-Nord offshore wind farms. Version: 13. April

12 4 Legal and planning framework 4.1 Planning procedure The area relating to the application for the Windanker offshore wind farm is entirely within the German EEZ. In accordance with 2 sub-section 1 of the SeeAnlV, projects in the EEZ relating to the generation of wind energy require planning permission. According to 2 sub-section 2 of the SeeAnlV, the hearing authority and the authority responsible for the plan approval is the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency. The SeeAnlV is based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 and on the German Federal Maritime Responsibilities Act (SeeAufgG). In accordance with 17 of sub-section 3 and in connection with 5 sub-section 5 of the latest version of the SeeAnlV (updated 31 August 2015), the plan for a project in the EEZ can only be approved if: 1. there is no impairment to the safety and efficiency of traffic or to national and alliance defence; 2. there is no threat to the marine environment and in particular if there are no concerns about contamination of the marine environment within the meaning of Article 1 subsection 1 number 4 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 (BGBl.[German Federal Law Gazette] 1994 II p. 1798, 1799) and if bird migration is not threatened; 3. other requirements relating to the Marine Facilities Ordinance or other provisions of public law are fulfilled. 4.2 Energy policy objectives In order to protect the environment, the German government has outlined its target of increasing the percentage of electricity that comes from renewable energy. In keeping with the German government s integrated energy and climate programme (2007), the current version of the Renewable Energy Act (2012) set a specific target of at least 35% renewable energy by 2020, with this percentage due to continually rise to 80% by In terms of meeting this target, there is enormous potential in offshore wind energy. In accordance with the German government s strategy of using wind energy at sea in connection with its sustainability strategy (January 2002), work should be done to create the framework conditions that will allow this potential to be utilised as quickly as possible. It is expected that wind energy will generate 20,000 to 25,000 MW of power by Version: 13. April

13 It is against this backdrop that especially suitable areas within the German EEZ were defined in 2005, in accordance with 3a of the SeeAnlV. The ROV for the German EEZ of the Baltic Sea came into force on 10 December This meant that the areas of Westlich Adlergrund and Kriegers Flak, which are defined in the SeeAnlV as especially suitable, were taken into account in the aims of the regional plan for the Baltic Sea and were identified as priority areas for wind energy. As noted in the explanatory memorandum to the SeeAnlV, (...)without generating wind energy at sea, it may not be possible to meet [the renewable energy targets formulated in the Renewable Energy Act] (...). The current Renewable Energy Act (2014) has further reinforced the German government s target for the energy transition and specifics have been determined for further developing renewable energies. By 2025, the proportion of renewable energy should be between 40 and 45 per cent and by 2035 it should be between 55 and 60 per cent. The proportion of wind energy at sea should rise to 6.6 gigawatts by 2020 and to 15 gigawatts by These figures clearly show the necessity of further developing offshore wind energy. Building on the foundation of the German Energy Act (EnWG), the political and planning framework conditions are being put into place in ways such as developing and updating the Federal Offshore Plan and the Offshore Grid Development Plan. This confirms the need for development in offshore wind energy. 4.3 Federal Offshore Plan Baltic Sea (BFO-O) The Federal Offshore Plan is based on 17a of the German Energy Act (EnWG). It states that the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency must create an annual Offshore Grid Plan for Germany s EEZ (Federal Offshore Plan). This should be done in agreement with the German Federal Network Agency and in coordination with the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation and the coastal federal states. The Federal Offshore Plan should therefore include definitions, specifications for standardised technology and planning principles for the routes and route corridors for the grid connection as well as for the route guides and the location of platforms for converters and transformers. The Federal Offshore Plan for the North Sea was first presented in 2012 and was made public in March The first draft of the Federal Offshore Plan for the Baltic sea was presented in February 2013 and entered the relevant consultation process. On 7 March 2014, the Federal Offshore Plan Baltic Sea 2013 was established and made public. In a letter dated 25 November 2015, the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency made it known that no update was required and that the BFO-O 2013 would not amended for The Windanker OWP project is located in cluster 1 of BFO-O 2013 (Figure 2). Version: 13. April

14 Figure 2: BFO-O 2013, spatial positioning of the cluster in the German EEZ in the Baltic Sea (Source: According to BFO-O 2013, the cluster is to be connected using three-phase current with a transmission voltage of 220 kv. In line with the planning principles regarding the locations of the transformer platforms, these are to be located as close to the edge of the wind farm as possible. This is intended to ensure that the route length does not exceed 100 km. Nevertheless, the location of the platform should also fit in well with the wind farm as a whole in terms of traffic. In line with this planning principle, the BFO-O 2013 would prefer that the transformer platform be located well inside the bounds of the wind farm (Figure 3). Version: 13. April

15 Figure 3: BFO-O 2013, diagram summarising connection lines (2030) (Source: In keeping with the planning principles and graphical representations of the BFO-O 2013, the network connection corridor is at the western edge of the wind farm. The size of this corridor is in keeping with the relevant distance regulations in the BFO-O The position of the transformer planform is also on the western edge and it is within the bounds of the wind farm, in line with the planning principles of the BFO-O ( Figure 4: Cable for the wind farm and route corridor for the network connection ) Version: 13. April

16 Figure 4: Cable for the wind farm and route corridor for the network connection The planned route corridor is 100 m wide and therefore allows parallel routing of up to two cable systems. There is also a distance of 500 m between the route corridor and constructions and of 300 m between the corridor and any shipping routes. Cable intersections are avoided. The remaining standardised technical requirements and planning principles of the BFO-O 2013 (such as the use of three-phase current technology, a transmission voltage of 220kV, cover for the long-term safety of the cable system, avoiding a temperature increase in the sediment, laying cable outside Natura2000 protection areas and protected habitats, careful laying processes, timely coordination of the laying work as a whole, taking into account cultural assets and any locations where weapons are found) are the responsibility of the transmission system operator. The Windanker OWP project thus conforms with the specifications of the most recent BFO-O Version: 13. April

17 4.4 Offshore Grid Development Plan In accordance with 17b of the German Energy Act (EnWG) and on the basis of the scenario framework of the regulatory authority, the transmission system operators are obligated to present an annual national Offshore Grid Development Plan for the German EEZ and the German territorial waters up to the grid connection points on land, together with the national Grid Development Plan. Taking into account the specifications of the relevant and current BFO within the meaning of 17a, the joint national Offshore Grid Development Plan must contain a phased schedule that details any effective measures relating to the appropriate optimisation, enhancement and upgrading of the offshore connection cables and that will be required in the next ten years for the phased, appropriate and economical development of the offshore cable connections as well as for their safe and reliable operation. Figure 5: O-NEP 2025 grid network connection cluster in the Baltic Sea, initial design Version: 13. April

18 The Windanker OWP is located in grid network connection cluster 1 in the Baltic Sea (Figure 5), which is also the location of Westlich Adlergrund, an area defined as especially suitable, and of approved OWPs Wikinger and Arkona-Becken Südost. On 16 April 2014, the transmission system operator released the first draft of the Offshore Grid Development Plan 2024 (O-NEP 2024) for consultation. The revised second draft of the O-NEP 2024 was passed to the German Federal Network Agency for review on 4 November After this second consultation, the agency presented the initial findings of its review of the O-NEP 2024 document. In February 2015, the second draft of the Offshore Grid Development Plan 2024 was again passed to the German Federal Network Agency for consultation. On 4 September 2015 the German Federal Network Agency then confirmed the Grid Development Plan and the Offshore Grid Development Plan Figure 6:confirmed O-NEP 2024; diagram of the OST-B-1 connection system The O-NEP 2024 document was confirmed on 4 September 2015, thus confirming the go-ahead for the OST-B-1 connection system, which has a transmission capacity of 500 MW and is scheduled to be completed in Originally in the drafts for the O-NEP 2024 had envisaged that cluster 1, where the Windanker OWP is to be located, would use the connection systems OST-1-4 Version: 13. April

19 (completion in 2018) and OST-1-5 (completion in 2024), each with a capacity of 250 MW. During the consultation stages, the idea of a bundling point to allow an appropriate development of the offshore grid in the Baltic Sea became increasingly significant, eventually leading to confirmation that the OST-B-1 would be used to connect the OWPs in clusters 1, 2 and 4 in the German EEZ of the Baltic Sea (Figure 6Figure 7). On 30 October 2015, the transmission system operator then published the first draft of the Offshore Grid Development Plan The public consultation will continue until 13 December This draft for the 2025 document also contains reference to the OST-B-1 connection system that was confirmed in the O-NEP 2024, including the details of its 500 MW capacity and scheduled completion in Figure 7: O-NEP 2025, first draft, new OST-B-1 AC connection Version: 13. April

20 4.5 Regional planning for the German EEZ in the Baltic Sea The location of the project area was chosen so that there would be as few conflicts as possible with other regional planning matters. With regards to the organisational plan for the EEZ, there were no completely blank areas that had no regional planning specifications or memos from regional categories. In any case, it is necessary to evaluate the extent to which the various uses are compatible. In the case of Windanker, as is also true of the neighbouring Westlich Adlergrund area that is dedicated especially to wind energy, the project area overlaps with an area designated for military use (labelled military exercise areas ). In this case, however, the area is an exercise area for the German Air Force and thus requires airspace that is much higher than the sea level. Both uses are compatible (see ROV for German EEZ in the Baltic Sea), which means there is no conflict of use with the military exercise area. To the south, the project area is directly connected to the area of Westlich Adlergrund, which is designated as especially suitable and is a priority area. In 2005, special areas within the German EEZ were defined in accordance with 3a of the SeeAnlV. The designation of these especially suitable areas has a similar level of authority as an expert report, which determines the foundational suitability of the area for the construction of wind farms ( 3a sub-section 2of the SeeAnlV). In the Baltic Sea, two areas have been designated as particularly suitable: Kriegers Flak and Westlich Adlergrund. When the ROV for the EEZ in the Baltic Sea came into force on 10 December 2009, Westlich Adlergrund and Kriegers Flak, which are especially suitable areas according to the SeeAnlV, were additionally designated as priority areas for wind energy. This means that the purpose of these areas is first and foremost to generate wind energy. Other regionally significant uses that are not compatible with generating wind energy are not permitted in these areas, which serves to keep these areas free. The project that is the subject of this application is directly connected to the area of Westlich Adlergrund, which is designated as especially suitable and is a priority area. This proximity means that the assumptions that led to the designation of the wind energy priority area are also applicable to Windanker. Taking into consideration the volume of traffic, the organisational plan established priority areas for shipping. Additional safety areas were also defined, which are exclusively for shipping. In accordance with the organisational plan, the shipping priority areas and areas exclusively for shipping in the German EEZ in the Baltic Sea are located to the north and west of the project area. The turbines keep to the minimum distance from these areas of at least 900 m to the west and at least 2 km to the north Version: 13. April

21 Figure 8: Integrating of the project into the spatial plan for the German EEZ in the Baltic Sea In the organisational plan for the German EEZ of the Baltic Sea, a target corridor is planned for submarine cables to divert power produced in the EEZ. This is located 15 km south of the project area. Version: 13. April

22 5 Description of the project 5.1 Project area The project area is about 38 km northeast of the Jasmund National Park on the German island of Rügen, immediately to the north of the especially suitable area outlined in 3a of the SeeAnlV and the Westlich Adlergrund wind energy priority area according to the ROV for the German EEZ of the Baltic Sea. The closest point on the mainland is the southern area of the Greifswalder Bodden in the municipality of Lubmin, which is 82 km away. The size of the project area is 17.9 km². The initial applied area size of the project area was approx. 30 km².this was reduced to 17.9 km² in the course of the planning under the aspects of improvement related amongst others to Federal Offshore Plan, shipping and marine environment. The water depth is between 41 and 45 m. Figure 9: Location of the project area Figure 10 shows the positioning of the turbines and the corner points of the project area. The corner coordinates of the project area are listed in Table2. Version: 13. April

23 Table2: Corner coordinates of the Windanker OWP project area Corner coordinates of the Windanker OWP project area WGS 84 (geographical) Point East longitude North latitude A B C D E F Figure 10: Detailed diagram of the wind farm with corner points The border between the German EEZ and the Danish EEZ is immediately to the east of the wind farm. Each turbine on the wind farm is separated from the outermost point of the other turbines by a distance of at least 500 m. The beginning of the Swedish EEZ is over 6 km north of the project area. Version: 13. April

24 The planned project area is to the immediate north of the Westlich Adlergrund area outlined as being especially suitable in the Marine Facilities Ordinance (SeeAnlV) and designated as a wind energy priority area by the ROV for the German EEZ of the Baltic Sea (Figure 8). The approved projects Wikinger OWP (Iberdrola) and Arkona-Becken Südost OWP (AWE/E.ON) are located within the boundaries of this area, as are the planned Wikinger Nord (Iberdrola) and Wikinger Süd (Iberdrola) offshore wind farms (Figure 11). Findings from the relevant approval processes fed into the process of determining the especially suitable area. This application means that the neighbouring area to the north will now also be assessed in terms of its suitability to be used for wind energy purposes. Due to the proximity of the areas, it is expected that some of the approval prerequisites will be similar. The project is fundamentally in keeping with the targets that the German government is seeking to meet in terms of making the energy transition a reality and developing offshore wind energy. The planned Arcadis Ost 1 OWP, which is within the 12 nautical mile zone and is this the responsibility of the federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, is around 22 km east of the project area. The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency nautical charts do not depict any underwater obstacles at this location. Figure 11: Location of the wind farm and neighbouring projects Version: 13. April

25 5.2 Wind turbine According to the latest plans, a 6 MW class wind turbine will be used. At the time of writing, the type of turbine has not yet been finalised. The choice of wind turbine will be the result of a project specific call for tenders at a later point in the project development. Figure 12: Front-view of planned wind turbine generator (Conceptual design, Ramboll Feb 2016) It is expected that the 6 MW class will become well established in the coming years and will gain the necessary offshore deployment experience. It is also expected, however, that the development of turbines will result in larger sizes, as has been the case in the onshore sector. This kind of development can have an impact on both the rotor blade size (optimised yield) and on the rated output (increased total output). This means that the 8 MW class could become established in the near future or even in the current young generation of turbines. Nevertheless, this development has not yet happened and it will be taken into account as required in the later stages of planning. When choosing the appropriate type of wind turbine, important influencing factors will include turbine cost and efficiency, reliability, robustness, the impacts of turbine failure and market availability. Version: 13. April

26 Bearing in mind these assumptions of further development of technology, it is expected that the wind turbines can reach a rotor blade diameter of up to 180 m and a hub height of 110 m. The turbines will be in line with the state of the art. The wind turbines will be fully automated and will start working automatically when the wind speed reaches 3 to 4 m/s. The turbines reach their rated output at higher wind speeds of 12 to 14 m/s. The control of the rotor speed and the pitch angle of the rotor blades work to provide maximum aerodynamic efficiency. In order to ensure the highest level of protection from corrosion, particularly corrosion-resistant materials are used and the components that are most at risk have a multiple coating according to the highest protection class and in line with DIN EN ISO The cooling and ventilation of the components is provided either by an air-to-air or a water-to-air heat exchanger. The turbines are designed to not allow damp and salty outside air to get inside the turbine house or desalinate the surrounding air. To achieve lasting turbine operation, the wind turbines are equipped with service products. These are oils and fats to lubricate the turbine components, coolants to transfer away the heat created and hydraulic oils to run the hydraulic systems. Provisions have been made in the structural design of the wind turbines (catch basins) so that if any of the units discharge these service products, the discharge is collected and is not released into the environment. The turbines will be connected to the company s operations on the mainland via a communication network. This will be used to permanently monitor and control the turbines. This remote turbine monitoring makes it possible to be constantly receiving operation and error notifications as well as electrical, mechanical, static and meteorological information and data about the electricity grid. It is also possible to intervene with the running of the turbines. The wind turbines have a built-in condition monitoring system. Vibrations in the wind turbine s key components are constantly recorded and analysed. This makes it possible to regularly ascertain the status of the components and to plan further preemptive inspections or maintenance measures where needed. In order to achieve lasting turbine operation, the wind turbines are equipped with service products such as oils and fats to lubricate the turbine components, coolants to transfer away the heat created and hydraulic oils to run the hydraulic systems. Automatic lubrication takes place for parts such as the main bearing or the pitch bearing of the turbine. Any waste heat generated is transferred into the surroundings using a water-to-air heat exchanger. Provisions have been made in the structural design of the turbines (catch basins) so that if one of the units discharges these service products, the discharge is collected and is therefore not released into the environment. Version: 13. April

27 All of the turbines have built-in lightning protection systems to protect them from the consequences of being struck by lightning. They are designed in accordance with the requirements of the IEC standard for lightning protection. Table 3: Technical data about the OWTGs Turbine Rated output Rotor blade diameter Hub elevation Total height Output control Tower Construction Rotor blades Rotor blades approximately 6 MW max.180 m max.110 m above MSL max. 200 m above MSL Adjusting the rotor blade pitch angle Tubular steel tower, sealed 3 blades According to the applicable requirements, the turbines at the wind farm will be identifiable to shipping and air traffic, both optically and in terms of radio technology. This includes coloured markings and equipping the turbines with optical signals, AIS identification and sonar transponders. The specifications are defined in agreement with the responsible authorities. For the purpose of maintenance and repair, the turbines will predominantly be accessed by ship. In certain situations, the use of a helicopter will also be considered. The Wikinger OWP, which is immediately to the south of this project, will also be constructed and operated by Iberdrola. A synergy effect will be possible here, particularly in terms of maintaining and repairing the turbines. This optimisation will therefore minimise the transport required for maintenance. 5.3 Foundation of the OWTGs The choice of the foundation concept is largely determined by the wind turbine generator, the sea bed conditions, the water depths, as well as the requirements for the production and installation of the foundation. Environmental-friendliness, especially the requirements for noise mitigation, shall also be considered in the choice. The plan for the OWF Windanker project is to use a monopile foundation for the wind turbine generators (Figure 12). The monopile foundation consists mainly of a closed steel pipe that is usually pile-driven into the sea bed. The upper end of the monopile usually rises above the water after installation. A so-called transition piece is then installed on the upper end of the monopile. The monopile and the transition piece are usually connected with grout (mortar/concrete). Flange Version: 13. April

28 connections are also conceivable for this. The transition piece itself has a flange connection on the upper end in order to insert the tower of the wind turbine generator. The transition piece is usually equipped with a work platform, boat landing and so-called J-tubes for running the farm cables from the floor of the sea to the tower of the wind turbine generator (Figure 13). Figure 13: Schematic drawing of a monopile foundation The diameter of the monopile will ultimately depend on the selected wind turbine generator. It is assumed that the wind turbine generator will not have a diameter of more than 10 m. The expected progress in development in terms of state-of-the-art foundation techniques should take place in the realisation of the project. The detailed planning of the foundation structure is the subject matter of the design phase. The standards published by the BSH (Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency) (geotechnical site and route surveys, design of offshore wind turbine generators) and the pertinent and applicable guidelines, directives and norms shall apply. According BSH Standard Construction a conceptual design for the foundation structure has been elaborated by Ramboll. Following the demand of the BSH Standard Construction the foundation structure will be designed collision friendly. An according collision analysis is included in the planning documentation under part VI. The applicable requirements and provisions in the detailed plan shall be taken into account with respect to the impact on the sea environment. Noise will be emitted in the process of installing the foundation piles due to the pile driving. These expected emissions of noise are described in the noise forecast (Part V, Section 6 of the Plan Specification Documents). The use of a suitable noise mitigation system shall be required due to the forecast noise emissions. In the recently erected wind farm, also built with a monopile foundation, good results were achieved with the monopile systems installed there. It is assumed Version: 13. April

29 that this noise mitigation system will also continue to be developed and be available for the installation of the foundation monopiles for the OWF Windanker Crater protection The foundations are expected to be equipped with a crater protection. The scope and the development of the crater protection depends on the sea bed conditions, the local current and the details of the foundation elements. According to the current plan, a crater protection with a diameter of 50 m shall be built under the assumption of a monopile with a 10 m diameter. The crater protection shall be produced with rockfill Corrosion protection All the steel components of the OWTGs and the foundation must be protected against corrosion. To protect each individual structure, the selected coatings will be proven to be resistant to sea water and against UV radiation particularly in the area of the water-air layer of the foundation without or in the combination with sea water. The paint coating shall be state-of-the-art as applied for water construction. Particular attention will be paid to the compatibility of the paint with the sea environment. The painting of the foundation with anti-fouling agents to prevent possible vegetation is not planned. The underwater area is particularly at risk of corrosion and is essentially not accessible or only accessible with great difficulty for coating work during the life cycle of the foundations. In the design of offshore systems, it must be ensured in particular that the strengths assumed for the design will be maintained for the estimated life cycle due to the very corrosive conditions. For the areas of the foundation and its elements, a combination of coating and cathodic corrosion protection (impressed-current system or sacrificial anode) is planned. In order to achieve sufficient corrosion protection, the technical components shall receive special coatings. The following corrosivity classes shall apply: C5-M for exterior surfaces of the constructions that are exposed to a high concentration of salt spray and spraying water, C4-M for interior surfaces that are subject to outside air, and C3-M for interior surfaces that are not exposed to any outside air. The corrosion protection will be planned and carried out in accordance with the applicable norms (DIN EN ISO) and guidelines. The corrosion protection requirements for offshore generators as specified by the BSH (Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency) shall be taken into account in the design. Version: 13. April

30 5.4 Transformer platform The transformer platform is planned as an unmanned platform. Structurally, it will consist of a topside and a foundation structure. The topside shall enclose the entire technical equipment of the transformer substation and usually consists of multiple decks. It houses the rising cables and cable connections, the transformers, the switchgears, the control systems, etc. This equipment is installed for medium voltage (33 kv) for the wind turbine generators and for high voltage (220 kv) for the operation of the transmission network. To handle heavy loads, a crane will be available on the platform. There will also be safe rooms on the platform for maintenance staff. A boat landing and a helicopter landing pad will also be built for access. The designing and planning of the transformer substation/platform is largely defined by the electrotechnical requirements, on the one hand by the requirements made of the wind farm and on the other by the requirements and components for the operation of the transmission network. Current assumption is that the platform can reach a horizontal area of up to 30 m x 60 m. Additionally cantilevered constructive parts as for example the helicopter landing can be present. Figure 14: Front-view of a potential substation (Ramboll 2016) The adjacent OWF Wikinger will be connected directly to the network node point on land via a 220 kv three-phase asynchronous motor. The transmission distance largely determines the space required on the transmission platform for housing the required components for the operation of the Version: 13. April

31 transmission network. With the concept of a bundling point as pursued in the O-NEP, the necessary transmission distance may be less for the OWF Windanker. This would significantly reduce the need for technical equipment on the platform, as a result of which the platform could also be designed somewhat smaller. This depends on the future development, however. Concerning the visual impression of the transformer platform can be referred exemplarily to the transformer platform of the neighbouring OWF Wikinger (Figure 15). The basic area of this transformer station is roughly 25 m x 50 m. The final design of the transformer platform depends on the final details to be determined in further planning steps as well as the requirements of the responsible transmission system operator. Figure 15: Transformer platform of the OWF Wikinger (example) For the planning of the transformer platform the requirements of the BSH Standard Construction concerning the collision friendliness will be considered properly. 5.5 Foundation structure for transformer platform The transformer platform will have a foundation with a jacket structure according to the latest plans. The jacket consists of a grid structure that is anchored in the sea bed with foundation piles. The Version: 13. April

32 foundation piles will have a diameter of 3-4 m and also be pile-driven into the floor of the construction. The jacket structure and the foundation piles are usually connected by grouting Scour protection The foundation of the transformer platform does not include scour protection according to the current state of the plans. The need for scour protection depends on the sea floor conditions, the local current and the details of the foundation elements. The decision on the installation of scour protection shall be made in the course of the detailed planning. If crater protection is planned, it will be produced with rockfill Corrosion protection All the steel components of the OWTGs and the foundation must be protected against corrosion. To protect each individual structure, the selected coatings will be proven to be resistant to sea water and against UV radiation particularly in the area of the water-air layer of the foundation without or in the combination with sea water. The paint coating shall be state-of-the-art as applied for water construction. Particular attention will be paid to the compatibility of the paint with the sea environment. The painting of the foundation with anti-fouling agents to prevent possible vegetation is not planned. The underwater area is particularly at risk of corrosion and is essentially not accessible or only accessible with great difficulty for coating work during the life cycle of the foundations. In the design of offshore systems, it must be ensured in particular that the strengths assumed for the design will be maintained for the estimated life cycle due to the very corrosive conditions. For the areas of the foundation and its elements, a combination of coating and cathodic corrosion protection (impressed-current system or sacrificial anode) is planned. In order to achieve sufficient corrosion protection, the technical components shall receive special coatings. The following corrosivity classes shall apply: C5-M for exterior surfaces of the constructions that are exposed to a high concentration of salt spray and spraying water, C4-M for interior surfaces that are subject to outside air, and C3-M for interior surfaces that are not exposed to any outside air. The corrosion protection will be in accordance with DIN EN ISO and the guidelines for testing. The corrosion protection shall be planned and carried out in accordance with the applicable norms (DIN EN ISO) and the guidelines for testing. The corrosion protection requirements for offshore generators as specified by the BSH (Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency) shall be taken into account in the design. Version: 13. April

33 5.6 Cabling within the wind farm The wind farm cabling shall be installed as a three-phase, medium-voltage network with operating voltage of an anticipated 33 kv. The cables of the individual lines of the farm cabling shall meet in the offshore transformer station on the medium voltage side. Plastic-insulated medium-voltage cables will be used for the cabling within the wind farm. Due to the differences in transmission lengths and power, cable systems with three-core, XLPE-insulated copper cables and cross-sections between 120 mm 2 and 800 mm 2 shall be used. The cable design consists of multiple-wire copper or aluminium conductors with insulation made of crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE), which are watertight both lengthwise and crosswise and have a steel wire reinforcement to protect against damage. The sea cables are laid to protect the cables on the floor of the sea. If required, cable lengths can also be secured with rockfill, for example. Crosses with other cables or pipelines are not planned. 5.7 Construction measures The final installation concept depends on the final design of the wind farm and can only be specified at the end of the development phase. In the execution plan, all the details of the installation concept will be specified and it will be presented to the approval authority in due time prior to the beginning of construction. In accordance with the requirements and after coordination with the authorities, the construction site will be marked for ships (cardinal marks). When the wind farm is set up, the mark for ships and aviation will be activated. The appropriate authorities will be regularly informed about the status of the installation work. During the construction phase, the construction area will be secured with a traffic safety vessel. The task of the traffic safety vessel is to monitor the traffic zone by means of radar and AIS, and to notify traffic of safe passage options, if necessary. In emergencies, the navy coordination point will be notified; it will introduce appropriate measures and notify the appropriate authorities. During the construction phase, there will be a larger number of ships than normal in the construction area. The ships expected during the construction phase are described in Table4. Assembly will take place on land in advance wherever possible in order to keep the installation costs on sea as low as possible. Version: 13. April