Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
1
Introduction
The wind energy industry in Germany has an excellent global standing when it comes
to the development and construction of wind turbines. Germany currently represents
the world's largest market for wind energy. So far, more than 21 000 wind turbines with
a total output of approx. 25 000 MW have been installed across the country. And at the
moment that figure is growing by approx. 2000 MW every year [1]. Developments in
land-based installations are moving in the direction of more powerful turbines with
more than 3 MW per installation and towers exceeding 140 m in height. 1)
However, the number of lucrative sites on land (onshore) is dwindling. Therefore, it is
planned to construct wind turbines at sea (offshore) in the coming years. The plans
provide for offshore wind farms in the North Sea and Baltic Sea and are intended to
increase substantially the proportion of renewable energies in electricity generation.
The target for the medium-term is installations in the North Sea and Baltic Sea with a
total output amounting to some 3000 MW. By 2030 it is hoped that offshore wind
turbines with a total output of about 20 000 to 25 000 MW will have been built [2].
Figure 1.1 shows the results of a study carried out by DEWI, the German Wind Energy
Institute. It shows the annual installed wind energy output for each year since 1990 plus
the forecast up to the year 2030. According to the study, the decline in onshore
installations should be compensated for by the anticipated development in offshore
Fig. 1.1 Installed wind energy output per year in Germany [3]
 
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