EnergyBiz - January/February 2008 - (Page 30) The interest in renewables was boosted in Europe in the 1970s by the two oil price crises. The 55-kilowatt generation of wind turbines developed in 1980–1981 became the industrial and technological breakthrough for modern wind turbines. Although large U.S. companies tried and failed to build big turbines, the Danish bottom-up approach had success. Electricity’s cost per kilowatt-hour dropped about 50 percent with the appearance of the 55-kilowatt generation. The wind industry became much more professional. Parallel development of the European Wind Atlas Method by Risoe National Laboratory was important in lowering kilowatt-hour costs. The government supported wind power development with subsidies paid by consumers, safety regulation and technical assistance from one laboratory: Risoe’s Department of Wind Energy and Atmospheric Physics, with a staff of about 100. Projects in Denmark were driven by both professional utilities and common people, which gave rise to local understanding, awareness and spirit. As a small country, Denmark often requires little time to move from a decision to action. The local market grew at the same time as a boom in California in the 1980s. Although the Great California Wind Rush seems small now, thousands of machines were delivered to Palm Springs and other destinations. About half of the wind turbines placed in California are of Danish origin. The market for wind energy in the United States disappeared overnight when California’s support schemes evaporated around 1985. The report of the Bruntland Commission in 1987 advanced the idea of sustainable development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. A new global agenda involving climate change emerged. Germany, just to the south of Denmark, became the world’s foremost market. In 1990, Denmark developed an energy plan together with a strong political will and an ambitious goal of a 20 percent CO2 reduction in 2005. One of the cheapest ways to reach the goal was with wind power. The total installed power and the numbers of turbines used in the home market continually increased and demonstrated dramatic technological improvement until 2002. At that time, political power passed to a new center-right administration with less ambitious plans for the use of renewables. Two replacement agreements have been carried out whereby smaller and badly placed turbines were replaced with bigger turbines. So far 1,300 old turbines with a combined power of 100 megawatts have been replaced by 300 new turbines with a combined power of 300 megawatts. Besides the replacement agreements, two offshore farms, Horns Rev II and Rødsand II, each for 200 megawatts, have been approved. These farms with 3- to 5-megawatt turbines are expected to be connected to the grid in 2009–2010. By the end of January 2007, Denmark had 5,267 turbines operating with a combined power of 3,135 megawatts. Without wind, turbines deliver no power. A lesson learned is that a solid backup system with hydropower is a key element to the power system. Thanks to grid connections with the hydro-based systems in Norway and Sweden and a Nordic market for electricity, it is possible to integrate even more wind power. The center-right administration has changed its attitude toward renewables and has established new goals. Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has a vision of a society free of using fossil fuels, owing to concerns about security of supply, the economy and climate change. The task is now in the hands of a new minister for climate change and energy, Connie Hedegaard. Denmark is preparing for the next rush. Jesper Tornbjerg is editor of El & Energi, a biweekly published by the Danish Energy Association that reaches 3,571 readers in the power industry in Denmark. (CONTINuEd FROm PAGE 28 ) The people who live near the coast would prefer to have the wind turbines where they cannot see them. On the other hand, the technology right now does not permit offshore wind turbines at very deep depths. You cannot construct them in 50 meters of water. schiLLing EnErgyBiz How did Denmark become a world leader in wind power? schiLLing How? It wasn’t a difficult decision. We wanted to be there starting about 20 years ago. The wind turbines came in here in the mid-’90s. EnErgyBiz One of the world’s largest turbine makers and one of the world’s largest wind blade manufacturers are a short distance apart in western Denmark. Does it ever amaze you that this little country has done so much? schiLLing Of course it does. It more or less came out of nothing. EnErgyBiz Why can a relatively small country be more successful than a large country such as the United States in deploying renewable energy? schiLLing I don’t know the United States enough to give you an answer. When it comes to wind energy, big countries like Germany and Spain have succeeded in having a very high share of renewable energy, and especially wind-generated electricity. So I’m not sure that the size of the country is relevant. EnErgyBiz What’s the most frustrating part of your job? The politics? schiLLing I love my job. When it comes to energy we have had a long tradition in Denmark for vast political agreements going from left wing to right wing. Actually all initiatives when it comes to wind energy are a result of vast agreements. EnErgyBiz What do you like most about what you’re doing? schiLLing The results. Recently, we gave a permit for the construction of an offshore wind park. It’s maybe funny for some people. I find it interesting to be part of the process that changes society. 30 E n E rgyB i z January/February 2008
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