In the midst of an offshore wind development landscape marked by both rapid growth and a rising sense of uncertainty about supply chains and material costs, K2 Management (K2M), a project advisory and engineering consultancy for the renewable energy industry, recently published “Offshore Energy Yield Predictions — Validation Report 2023,” the largest independent offshore energy yield validation study to date.
As developers expand portfolios to emerging offshore markets, K2M highlights the need to validate energy yield assessment as widely as possible across diverse geographies rather than assume the efficacy of a one-size-fits-all approach. The report underscores industry concerns regarding the universal applicability of energy yield assessment methods originally tailored for smaller onshore turbines, particularly in addressing complex interactions such as wind turbine wakes, which can differ significantly from project to project.
In a sector where confidence hinges on energy yield predictions, the report points out the necessity of ensuring the predictions are precise and backed by proven pre-construction best practice. In an industry susceptible to future shocks, consistent and precise data aims to provide all stakeholders with a reliable benchmark for the entire development process.
Contrary to more optimistic projections prevalent in the market, this approach prioritizes accuracy over inflated numbers. Looser bounds of uncertainty can create higher figures in the short term, but do not work to build long-term trust with investors or bolster a project’s financial and operational longevity, and can derail progress altogether.
“As wind energy grows, we are on a continuous learning curve: We can’t blindly rely on existing models — we need to validate and evolve our methodologies,” said Joel Manning, K2M’s manager and R&D lead — analysis services.
More info info.k2management.com/offshore-energy-yield-predictions-a-validation-guide
