The Danish/European wind energy industry gathered in Odense, Denmark at the end of November for 'Wind Energy Denmark 2024'. The overall message was clear, Green Power Denmark writes on its website: we must continue to challenge ourselves and each other in all parts of the value chain, as international competition is only getting stronger. A necessary step forward is a broader definition of 'innovation': system integration and thinking will be key.
“If we maintain the status quo, others will overtake us, simply because of their size. That is why we must challenge ourselves and each other all the time. We must constantly reinvent our products.”
Competition
“Europe is still struggling to find answers, especially with regard to China,” said Jan Hylleberg, CEO of Green Power Denmark. He is looking forward to hearing what the European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, will do in the next 100 days, because energy policy – including research, development and demonstration – is “critical” for Europe’s competitiveness and security of supply, now and in the long term.
"We are global players, but Denmark is still important in research, development and demonstration. We have a close cooperation with the universities and we must continue to do that – and continue to create chances," argued Steffen Poulsen, Head of the Offshore Direct Drive Platform at Siemens Gamesa.
Companies based in Denmark are still very good at producing nacelles, blades, towers and foundations, Hylleberg said, and are also adept at coordinating transport, installation and infrastructure. By securing and developing the entire value chain, Denmark can continue to play a role in a tough, global market with tight margins.
“The definition of innovation needs to be broadened. Innovation is not just about blades and gearboxes – innovation is also about interconnectors, hybrid solutions and the electrification of society.”
Cooperation
Danish renewable energy developers, wind turbine manufacturers and many other players are eagerly awaiting the end of a current 3 GW Danish offshore wind tender.
Denmark believes that the projects in the Danish part of the North Sea could coincide with many others if other European countries, such as Germany with Nordsee cluster B of 900 MW, take their plans seriously.
“There could be 47 GW on the grid from now until 2030. The Danish projects will therefore have to compete with many others with the same timeline,” stressed Rikke Winther Nørgaard, CCO of the research institute Aegir Insights, which closely follows the offshore plans and realization.
“We need to ensure that our testing facilities are deployed where they provide the greatest value. We also need to get better at moving from thinking in terms of technology to a broader systems perspective.”
What could be improved?
What Denmark can do more in research, development and demonstration is evident in a series of annual recommendations from the Danish Renewables Alliance (formerly Megawind). A number of broadly composed working groups describe the advice for 2025 and beyond – from optimisation at the individual turbine level and standardisation to sustainability requirements and sector integration with Power-to-X.
Read more about this in the Danish: Recommendations for a climate-neutral energy system - Annual Research and Innovation Agenda | Danish Renewable Energy Alliance (DAFRE) . (English translation available.) In this publication, Green Power Denmark presents its view on how we can create a climate-neutral society as quickly as possible. 'Capacity expansion', 'sustainability' and 'system optimisation' are three key concepts.
