Falklands : Falklands Wind Farm to Save Fuel Consumption
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 20.03.2008 (Article Archived on 03.04.2008)
The wind farm in the Falklands will save on fuel consumption and has not yet reached its full potential.
Number 01/2008 by the Honourable Richard Cockwell
In view of escalating fuel prices and the need to reduce consumption, coupled with the success of the first stage of the wind farm; can the Honourable John Birmingham assure me that the enlargement of the output of the wind farm is being treated as an urgent issue? Can he also assure me that a figure will be put into the budget for 2008/9 in order that this project can go ahead without delay?
ANSWER
The enlargement of the wind farm has been actively considered not only since the first stage has been in operation, but in parallel with the development of that first phase, when consideration needed to be given to the level of output that could be successfully incorporated into the existing system.
It is considered that phase 2 is a desirable step, but it is also apparent that there will not necessarily be a doubling in either yield or savings if a further three turbines are installed.
During average or better wind speeds the three existing turbines can already input at a level that is unlikely to be exceeded even if additional units are installed.
The greatest difference in input will be made during periods of low or less than average wind speed, particularly the former and it is necessary for analysis of that impact to be carried out in order to determine yield and therefore payback.
Increases in fuel costs mean that the value of the fuel displaced is higher than originally allowed for and the payback period for Phase 1 will therefore be shorter, but it must be highlighted that the payback period for Phase 2 is likely to be much longer than that for Phase 1. A doubling of capacity will not necessarily mean a doubling of yield or savings.
In January 2008, the first phase of the Sand Bay Wind Farm reached its designed level of energy contribution (20% per week/annum). The highest weekly contribution to Stanley’s electrical energy needs is at present 22% (57,000 units from the Wind Farm, 198,000 from the diesels). The highest hourly contribution to date is 40% (810 kW from the Wind Farm, 1215 kW from the diesels).
For phase 2 to approach equal success, works elsewhere will need to take place. The single objective of these works would be the eradication of transient faults on Stanley’s High Voltage overhead lines caused by bird strikes (30-40 strikes are recorded per annum).
These transient events cause the loss of the Wind Farm’s contribution for up to five minutes. With an expanded wind farm and greater wind power contribution, these 30-40 transient events would result in 30-40 total power outages per annum. This is because if there is sudden loss of output from the turbines then the conventional generators may not be able to respond sufficiently rapidly as to take up the additional load, unless they are run such that their spinning reserve can take all of that load.
The system is being operated in fuel saver mode, with a close balance being maintained between the combined wind/diesel output and demand and the ratio between these. Increasing the spinning reserve would reduce efficiency and therefore fuel savings significantly.
In recent weeks, the wind farms output has been limited to 600 kW per hour for this reason. There is no evidence to date of any “bird strikes” on the turbines themselves.
Achieving the desired objectives for Phase 1 has triggered preliminary enquiries with Enercon for the supply and installation of a further three E33 Wind turbines, as part of the project development and appraisal process. Lead times are currently12 to 18 months from placement of order. Enercon are to revert with supply and installation costs, based on Phase 1 but indicate that there will be an increase in price per turbine.
Phase 2 is a desirable next step but must be entered into with all being aware that it is not simply a repetition of phase 1.
The most effective and cost effective method of reconfiguring the overhead lines to remove or at least minimise the risk of bird strikes is being actively pursued, as this would have to be done before a consistent increased ratio of input from the wind farm would be viable and a proposal for the funding of this will be made as soon as is practical. A first stage though will be the reconfiguration of a trial section to ensure that this will be fully effective.
A timescale cannot be given at this stage, but there is a sum provisionally entered in the Capital Programme for year 2008/09 for refinements to the system that will improve overall fuel displacement and it is considered that this should be sufficient for immediate needs.
Given the lead in times indicated for further turbines, the funding for these would in all probability not be needed until 2009/10 even if a decision to proceed were to be made almost immediately.
|
