International energy transition: Germany and Denmark are networking their offshore wind farms

For a long time, offshore wind turbines were considered complex and expensive. In some cases, the operators received a guaranteed remuneration of 14.5 cents per kilowatt hour, while the electricity itself could be marketed for just a few cents. The systems built at that time are still used as money printing machines. In the meantime, however, the tide has turned for new systems. Because the licenses are now awarded by auction. The supplier who needs the least government funding will be awarded the contract. This shows that the industry has succeeded in significantly reducing costs through massive scaling. Most of the new offshore wind farms can do without any state funding. Politicians now want to use this to significantly expand capacities in this area: From currently 12 GW in Europe to more than 300 GW.

The wind turbines run at full load around half the time

At least that's what the European Commission's offshore strategy says. The focus is primarily on the North and Baltic Seas - and thus also the Federal Republic. For network operators, however, these huge ambitions also bring new challenges with them. Because the electricity has to be transported from the coast to all parts of the country. On the other hand, the systems only achieve up to 4500 full load hours per year, even on the high seas. This value is well above the 800 to 900 hours that solar systems achieve. Nevertheless, this also means that the offshore turbines are only fully powered in around half the time. In other words: electricity production fluctuates. At the same time, however, this must be brought into line with demand in order to avoid blackouts.

Cross-border networks are already important 

The following applies: The more options the responsible employees have, the easier it is to keep the network stable. One possible solution is therefore to expand the cross-border networks. This already partially exists in Europe. For example, Germany imports electricity from France because a large part of the nuclear power plants in the south of the republic have been switched off and there are not yet enough power lines to bring the wind power there from the north of the country. It also happens again and again that excess electricity - including not inconsiderable payments - has to be given to neighboring countries. This could be prevented by a network operation designed from the outset for cooperation. How this can work can now be seen in the Baltic Sea, where a Danish and a Dutch wind farm have been connected.

Germany must help shape the framework

As a result, there is now a direct connection between the Scandinavian and the continental European power grid. The electricity produced can now always flow to where it is needed more urgently. This makes work easier for the network operators. In the medium term, the plans even go beyond such individual projects. As part of the Power Up initiative, the EU is making around eighty billion euros available to network offshore wind farms. Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands are considered to be predestined to go ahead and draft a regulatory framework. Other countries could then follow suit. In any case, experts are certain that investments in this area are money well spent. In this way, the electricity can be distributed much more efficiently and the need for reserve capacity is reduced.