Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
known as Alpha Ventus, situated 45 km north of Borkum Island. Federal
investment in this research initiative was purported to be in the neigh-
borhood of €50 million.
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he raison d'être of the facility was to provide
researchers with insights into optimizing ofshore wind park performance.
hanks to positive investor reception to these initiatives, 2009 proved to
be a stellar year for wind power development, with 1,874 MW of new capac-
ity added—reversing a three-year trend of declining new capacity. By the
end of 2009, there were 21,164 wind turbines installed in Germany with a
total installed generation capacity of 25,777 MW.
Unfortunately, unanticipated events in 2010 reairmed once again
the types of disparate inluences that can inluence wind power develop-
ment. he combination of a global economic recession and domestic inves-
tor insecurity arising from government decisions to prolong the lives of
nuclear plants in Germany resulted in only 1,413 MW of new capacity
being installed.
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Nevertheless, by the end of 2010, Germany had crushed
its 12.5% target under the EU Renewable Energy Directive, with 17.5% of
primary energy coming from renewable sources. It was the only major econ-
omy in the European Union to exceed its target.
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As 2011 dawned, it was looking like it would be another year of progres-
sive wind power capacity development, accompanied by the typical trials
and tribulations brought about by ever-increasing contributions of wind
power to the nations' electricity supply. But on March 11, 2011, an earth-
quake of the coast of Japan triggered a tsunami which rammed into a com-
plex of aging nuclear reactors located in Fukushima, Japan. he ensuing
nuclear disaster had an enormous impact on German nuclear power policy.
Almost immediately after the disaster in Japan, Chancellor Angela Merkel,
who herself is a physical chemist, announced plans to expedite a phase-out
of all 17 of Germany's nuclear reactors and replace them with renewable
energy.
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As a irst step, the government announced immediate closure of
eight older nuclear power plants.
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In response, orders for new wind power
projects have increased and new capacity added in 2011 climbed to 1,870
M W.
Since then, a three-year revision to the Renewable Energy Sources Act
that was passed on July 8, 2011 relects the intent of the German govern-
ment to accelerate renewable energy development, in general, and ofshore
wind energy speciically. Keeping in line with the EU Renewable Energy
Directive for 2020, it sets a minimum goal of 35% renewable energy contri-
bution to the electricity supply by 2020, rising to at least 50% by 2030, 65%
by 2040, and 80% by 2050. In order to meet these targets, the ofshore wind
turbine tarif has been increased from €0.13 per kWh to €0.15 per kWh and
an early starter bonus, for ofshore wind projects that are commissioned by
