The wind resource of your location is crucial for the ultimate success of your planned wind project. Pondera can assist you in determining the most efficient strategy to reduce the uncertainties in that wind resource. Whether that will be with measurements, modelling or a combination, we will work with you from the beginning of the project to determine the best steps to take, looking at the project’s phase, specifications, budget and timelines.
To determine the wind resource and the subsequent AEP, we can use an onsite wind measurement campaign, existing wind speed measurements from the vicinity, model data or the SCADA data from existing wind turbines. For complex projects, the use of LiDAR (wind measurements based on laser beams) in combination with meteorological measuring masts and modelling might be needed. By smartly combining existing data sources and new wind measurements, uncertainties in the energy yield calculation can be significantly reduced in the course of a project under development. Our experience stretches from simple model data or WMO-station based reports, to guiding government commissioned offshore measurement campaigns. We are happy to support your project, just get in touch! If you would like more information about wind resource assessments, please contact Erik Holtslag (088-PONDERA) or email e.holtslag@ponderaconsult.com
For The Netherlands only: Subsidy applications for wind energy
The Dutch government stimulates the production of renewable energy financially with the Sustainable Energy Production Incentive Scheme (SDE+). This subsidy scheme compensates for the difference in cost between green and grey energy. This scheme applies to various categories of renewable energy, including wind and solar energy.
For wind energy, there are several categories:
- wind on land
- wind on connecting flood defences
- wind on land one-on-one replacement
- wind-in-lake
- wind on land transitional arrangements
There is also wind speed differentiation within the first categories; the subsidy amount is partly based on the wind speed at the project site. The maximum amount for which a grant can be requested depends on the municipality in which the project is carried out. Projects in municipalities with a higher wind speed (i.e. better energy yield) receive a lower subsidy amount than locations with a lower wind speed.
In order to apply for the SDE subsidy, a wind report is required. This report determines the expected kilowatt-hour production and the maximum full-time load hours of the project for which funding can be applied for. Specifically, the location data, the technical turbine specifications, the local wind data, the gross energy yield calculation and a P50 value calculation for electricity production are included. The P50 value refers to the expected net production, with the probability of 50% being achieved
Pondera meets the criteria set by the Dutch government and has in the past drawn up many such reports on behalf of initiators, municipalities, provinces and financial institutions.
