New wind energy technology

Thema:
New technology wind

Offshore wind energy will experience significant growth in the coming decades, both technologically and in the amount of capacity installed. The sector expects many innovations in offshore wind energy in order to achieve the stringent targets. The goal for 2030 is to almost double the installed capacity in the Dutch section of the North Sea, from the previously planned 11 GW to 21 GW. An installed capacity of between 40 and 75 GW is foreseen for 2050. As a research organisation specialising in this field, TNO is committed to help make this a reality.

New concepts

For example, offshore wind development will continue at an unabated pace and will require new technologies and methodologies which do not as yet exist, or for which there is at present no valid business case. This is why we are researching concepts such as floating wind turbines, vertical axis turbines and airborne concepts, but also robotisation and digitalisation. To further support the rapid development of offshore wind energy, experimental validation plays a very important role.

International frontrunner

TNO is an international leader in wind energy, developing and validating new technologies. Wind energy is one of the pillars of energy transition, so it is essential that it remains affordable, and to ensure that it can be easily integrated into our energy system. These developments contribute not only to accelerating energy transition, but also create new opportunities for our business community, which has traditionally had a strong presence in offshore and maritime activities. In this way, sustainability goes hand in hand with new commercial activity and employment.

Floating wind farms

Our expertise in the development of floating wind farms is of huge interest internationally. By designing floating wind farms cost-effectively, our country has, potentially, a promising export product. Worldwide, there are many coastal areas where the wind blows from the sea, but which are too deep for structures such as those in the North Sea, where the wind turbines are secured into the seabed. Together with the industry and our knowledge partners, we are working on solutions to make floating wind turbines on a large scale a possibility.

Automating maintenance

TNO is investigating how offshore inspection and maintenance tasks can be further automated using new technologies, such as augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR), and robotics in combination with fast network connections. In the future, it is quite conceivable that drones with robots will fly to the wind turbine to carry out maintenance.

Measuring and validating

Wind turbines are becoming larger in order to reduce the cost of wind energy. Designers are constantly pushing the limits of aerodynamics, causing forces and loads to increase exponentially. With the increase in size, measurement and validation become of even greater importance. TNO provides a unique combination of expertise in wind, aerodynamics, sensors and models.

Get inspired

8 resultaten, getoond 1 t/m 5

Switch to the hybrid energy system

Informatietype:
Webinar
17 February 2023
1 aflevering

How will our future electricity grid remain stable and affordable? Watch the webinar from 1 February 2023 and get an insight into the technological and societal solutions for our future energy system.

Offshore wind under pressure

Informatietype:
Webinar
31 December 2022
1 aflevering

Offshore wind energy is growing enormously, but this growth comes with challenges. To maximize the value of large volumes of wind energy in the future energy system, we need to ensure feasible business cases for developers.

Profitability offshore wind in 2030 not self-evident

Informatietype:
News
17 November 2022

A new TNO study reveals that offshore wind will not be profitable in all cases. Using several scenarios, TNO investigated the feasibility of offshore wind energy in 2030.

Digitisation improves the design and maintenance of wind farms

Informatietype:
Article

For the design of wind turbines and the subsequent efficient operation of wind farms, TNO uses the latest digital technologies.

Wind measurements and validation techniques

Informatietype:
Article

Before a wind turbine is launched onto the market, it must be approved. TNO is one of the few bodies authorised to carry out these certification measurements.