Cost-Benefit and Multi-Criteria Analysis of Wind Energy Parks Development Potential in Latvia

In the last decade the European Union (EU) has been steadily increasing its’ ambition regarding the climate policy. Considering the linkage between the climate targets and energy sector’s greenhouse gas emissions, the EU’s member states are respectively adjusting their energy policies. One of the current trends in the EU is to increase the renewable electricity generation by roll-out of onshore and offshore wind parks. This research aims at evaluating the potential of large-scale wind parks in Latvia by using the cost-benefit and multi-criteria analysis from financial, technical, climate and administrative perspectives as well as considering the impact on security of energy supply. The results of the research show a good potential for onshore wind park development in Latvia without any state aid, while offshore wind parks are in a much worse position and would not be beneficial for the project promoters without any kind of EU or state aid.

Front detection using wind park data and NWP

<p>The precise forecasting of ramps in production of windparks is a problem that is not satifsfactorily solved. This is of particular interest because ramps contribute to a major part to the forecasting error in power production, in particular for offshore wind parks.</p><p>Since ramps are often due to fronts passing a location, we developed a method for the correction of front speed and -direction using a combination of wind park meteorological measurements and numerical weather prediction (NWP). On one hand we use conventional methods like the Canny algorithm for NWP data, on the other hand, we use data from a collection of wind parks to determine a passing front. By the front speed, and the relative location of wind parks, the front speed is computed and a correction can  be applied to downstream wind parks.</p><p>The results can be  validated and a corresponding error measure can be computed on the basis of measured and numerical data. Our method shall be implemented into a proprietary forecast system with the goal of an automatized detection and correction mechanism.</p>

The Triple Helix Frame Contributes to Strategic Innovation in Nearshore Wind Park Ecosystems

This research shows how port authorities in a triple helix context can contribute to strategic innovation with reduction of Levelized Cost of Energy in nearshore wind park ecosystems. The empirical qualitative case study was conducted from September 2017 to June 2018 with a port and a nearshore wind park owner and a logistic business actor operating on land and one operating at sea. Individual interviews and three joint network meetings provided data for the research. The findings reveal that port authorities in triple helix contexts can contribute to strategic innovation through use of the cross-disciplinary trinity of ‘organization’, ‘business model innovation’ and ‘financial cash flow’ to address value creation on project ecosystem level. The findings are summarized in a model for overview on the shift in interest and the basic understanding of flow. It is shown that the triple helix discussions provide a meaningful frame to achieve strategic innovation for competitive advantage of renewable wind energy ecosystem.Keywordsstrategic innovation – ecosystems – renewable energy – offshore wind parks

Workplace health promotion for employees working in offshore wind parks in the German exclusive economic zone: a mixed-methods study

ObjectivesTo investigate the awareness and use of health promotion offers among offshore wind workers and to study associations with demographic and workplace characteristics. To examine employees’ reasons for (non-)participation and their wishes for health promotion activities offshore.DesignMixed-methods study presenting the results from semistructured telephone interviews and a web-based cross-sectional survey.SettingOffshore wind parks in the German exclusive economic zone in the North and Baltic Seas.Participants21 offshore workers in the qualitative study (19 male/2 female; all German). 303 offshore workers in the quantitative study (287 male/13 female; 275 German/24 other nationalities).Outcome measuresAwareness and use of workplace health promotion offers and associations with demographic and workplace characteristics (age, work schedule and wind park phase); reasons for (non-)participation; needs and wishes for health promotion offers.ResultsFew workers indicated being aware of health promotion programmes at their workplace. Single offers were reported, with fitness facilities being the most common offer employees recognised and had used (n=168, 55.6%). Employees with a regular work schedule were more likely to have used fitness facilities offshore (adjusted OR (AOR)=3.22, 95% CI 1.53 to 6.80). Workers in the construction phase were more likely to have used massages (AOR=8.19, 95% CI 2.82 to 23.77). Younger workers were less likely to belong to the group of those who were aware of fitness facilities but had not used them (AOR=0.43, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.98). Employees expressed various needs and wishes for behavioural and environmental preventive measures offshore.ConclusionsThe results demonstrate a perceived need among the workers for the development of health promotion programmes offshore. Since the awareness and use of offers may partly depend on personal and organisational characteristics, this should be taken into account in the planning of health promotion activities.