Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 1
Introduction
Presently, we are living in an era of a turnaround in energy policy with strong
interests in renewable energies, focusing on wind energy. Increased incident issues
on living conditions based on climate change, on one hand, and the fear of nuclear
power hazards, on the other hand, bearing problems of nuclear waste and common
protests again nuclear energy, result in intense political discussions on applying
renewable energies as main energy source. Especially Germany official heralds the
energy turnaround in 2010. On September 28, 2010, the German Federal Cabinet
enacted the so-called, in German, Energiekonzept (translation: energy concept). In
this concept, the Federal Government postulates the aim to form Germany as one of
the most energy-efficient and most environmentally friendly national economy in
the near future by offering competitive energy prices and conserving the high-
prosperity level of Germany. The main aims of this procedure are the phaseout of
nuclear energy and the reduction of greenhouse gases by 40 % till 2020 and about
80 % till 2050 (BMWi and BMU 2012 ). At this juncture, renewable energies,
notably wind energy, play an important role in reaching such aims. The percentage
of renewable energy electricity generation on gross electricity consumption shall
add up to 50 % in 2030 and 80 % in 2050 (BMWi and BMU 2012 ), whereas the
German Federal Government highlights the importance of offshore wind energy as
a major element for an environmentally friendly, reliable, and affordable energy
supply (BMWi and BMU 2012 ). Additional offshore is favored due to geographical
usable areas, a higher reliability due to consequent high wind speeds over ocean
supported by less friction than for onshore structures, and even less political
opposition of the population by avoiding the so-called Nimby-Effect, an effect
describing shadow and noise disruption realizing health effects for humans. Taking
for granted these facts, Germany commands a huge area in the North and Baltic
Seas. Accordingly, the development goal of offshore energy is ambitious—a
minimum of 25 GW of offshore energy supply till 2030 in the North and Baltic
Seas, which accords 15 % of Germany
s total energy demand. Based on year 2012,
counting an energy demand of around 617.6 TWh, partitioned in 19.1 % stone coal,
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