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Wind energy: German research warns of the risk of building offshore wind farms close to each other and efficiency could drop by up to 25%

Published 08/06/2021 às 09:57
wind energy solar energy energy offshore wind farms
Photo by Shaun Dakin on Unsplash

Wind farms close to each other can harm offshore wind power generation

The use of clean energy is growing worldwide. As a result, new investments by governments and companies in the sector will continue to grow on the planet over the next few decades. However, it is necessary that investments are made correctly, in which scientific studies are fundamental for the best choices. A recent study proposed an important factor that can harm offshore wind power generation due to the proximity of wind farms. 

A study led by Naveed Akhtar, da Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, from Germany, points out that the production of offshore wind energy can be harmed due to the proximity of offshore wind farms to each other. The study took place in Germany, where it has offshore wind farms that are equivalent to 8 nuclear power plants. However, as space at sea is limited, it is sometimes necessary to install power plants close to each other.  

wind energy solar energy energy offshore wind farms
Image of an offshore wind tower. Photo: Pixabay

The study released by Nature Scientific Reports points out that the braking effect results in low wind patterns on a large scale. The researchers noticed a reduction of between 20 and 25% of the electricity production in the neighboring wind farms. The wind farm can be up to 40 km away.  

The study took a total of 10 years to observe winds on Mars from northern Germany. The research used the COSMO-CLM model, which is also widely used by meteorological services, to calculate the average speed over 10 years. 

"Our results clearly show that we will face a pattern of reduced winds at sea, which show greater intensity during stable weather conditions, normally the case in March and April. In stormy weather, on the other hand – especially in November and December – the atmosphere is so mixed that wind farm wake effects are relatively small.”, the researchers said in a press release. 

Scientists will also begin to study the effects of offshore wind farms on sea life.

Scientists will also begin to study what effect reduced winds have on marine life and how it affects them. The world is expected to increase the use of wind energy to gigantic numbers in the coming decades. In the United States, for example, President Biden announced the construction of the country's first large offshore wind farm. 

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Fabio Lucas Carvalho

Journalist specializing in a wide range of topics, such as cars, technology, politics, shipbuilding, geopolitics, renewable energy and economics. I have been working since 2015 with prominent publications in major news portals. My degree in Information Technology Management from Faculdade de Petrolina (Facape) adds a unique technical perspective to my analyses and reports. With over 10 thousand articles published in renowned media outlets, I always seek to bring detailed information and relevant insights to the reader. For story suggestions or any questions, please contact me by email at flclucas@hotmail.com.

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