In 2010, offshore wind power as a prelude to the start of the concession tender officially opened. Although offshore wind power has a good wind resources, coastal network architecture is superior, the advantages of close to load centers, but its risks can not be ignored. Compared to wind farm developers, equipment manufacturers and other interested parties, the more directly bear these risks. China Guangdong Nuclear Wind Power Assistant General Manager Lu Hao said: “The offshore wind power development with high-risk, and advanced character.”

The high cost of long processing time and

China’s offshore wind generators resources such as wind power surveys for approval by the Shuiguizongyuan, understand Shuiguizongyuan very strict examination and approval. Marine environmental assessment and preparation of the report and assessment route longer time. General approval from the wind to the sea project a reasonable time was 2.5 years, longer than the land-based projects. In addition, the sea-front costs of developing wind power is wind power generator on land about 10 times.

Fan high price, design experience less

Although the major wind turbine manufacturers competing to develop offshore wind turbines, but the real volume manufacturers can rarely, less than the demand for short-term memory in the case, there is little room developers keep the prices down. Technically the fan, fan manufacturers to take part of the system Guonei pickled I design principles, in order to improve the offshore wind turbine reliability and availability, but may increase the device cost. Add twice the equipment cost is still in a high level.

In the design of wind farms, offshore wind power generator currently have some experience of the Design Institute designed little competition, inadequate design of high cost. Design costs as the proportion of small, risk is relatively small, design experience are a major risk.

Multiple risks faced by construction

Wind from the currently available data, China’s annual 50-meter-high coastal wind speeds ≥ 8m / s wind speed time to account for 40%, ≥ 10m / s wind speed accounted for 20% of the time, showing that construction of wind on the sea have a certain impact.

It is understood that whole sea area north of the Yangtze Estuary can work for about 1/3-1/2. Generated in the Western Pacific, 29 tropical cyclones each year, of which can affect tropical cyclones north of the Yangtze Estuary annual average of 3.1, up to up to 7 years (1990), at least 1 year only. 1949-2007 years, a positive landing north of the Yangtze Estuary were 5 times (2%). Waters north of the Yangtze Estuary can be seen every year by the impact caused by the typhoon, but are less opportunities for attacks.

As the domestic manufacturers and construction unit fans lack experience in building offshore wind, the early construction, construction progress will be slower, but with the progress of the project, with the maturity of various types of work, progress will accelerate gradually. But in general there is the potential risk of contractor delays.

It is understood that China is still not suitable for lifting of the special vessels at sea fans. Construction of multi-base can be installed more domestic vessels, but can be more than 5 meters in diameter pile foundation construction of the vessel less. East China Sea Bridge, a similar scheme can, with the overall lifting capacity floating crane lifting all boats, 20 domestic, but most of lifting height is not enough. Shows that if large-scale offshore wind power development, the lack of construction of the ship’s problem is quite serious.

Wind farm operation and maintenance risks

Ease of maintenance point of arrival mainly by the weather, sea state, distance and transportation decisions. Distance offshore wind farm, the general 10-50 kilometers offshore. In addition to fans of quality, high reliability requirements other than necessary maintenance is essential. Currently abroad, offshore wind generator farm maintenance overhaul the means of transport are boats and helicopters. The two modes of transport by the weather, great influence on sea conditions.

Availability from the fans point of view, the fans in terms of land, offshore wind turbines require higher reliability, learned from the current situation, offshore wind turbine availability is generally low.

Submarine cable is the problem can not be ignored, it is known, the domestic 35KV and 110KV submarine cable technology is more mature and complex. But can not produce 220KV submarine cable. The cost is land Submarine cables 5-10 times the risk of injury exist anchors. Relatively strong coastal grid structure, but involves offshore wind farm in the local network is also weak, according to a potential reason as rife electric grid can not run the risk of full power.

Offshore small  wind turbine tower tube for years by the invasion of sea salt, the corrosion rate faster than the terrestrial environment, in addition to the tower tube manufacture in strict accordance with the requirements of anti-corrosion coating, regularly checked to maintain the tower tube. As the fan base is located in the seabed, seabed local shape changes in the wave, tidal and ocean current role of seafloor topography in sports, on the basis of the stability of a great impact, sometimes endangering the safety fan. While taking fully into account in the design of ocean currents, waves, tidal effects on the basis, but fans running, the fan base should be regularly diving observations and maintenance.

Internet Risk

State has not developed a unified electricity price of wind turbine generator at sea, while the electricity price is indeed a major source of income developers get clear and reasonable electricity price allows developers to formulate investment and financing plans.

In addition, the coastal areas although high levels of network structure, but involves the Internet for offshore wind power shortage still exists, grid companies involved in offshore wind power development in the responsibility should be strengthened.

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