Offshore wind and infrastructure

Balmorel: Power system model | July 2019 - April 2020

On behalf of Ørsted, Ea Energy Analyses has carried out a study on synergies between substantial offshore wind power buildout and the increasing need for a transmission grid to support a decarbonized European energy system.

The study models a decarbonisation of Europe towards 2050, based on assumptions derived from the European Commission’s 1.5 TECH-scenario, and carried out using the power system model Balmorel.

The modelling considers different options and costs of connecting the European offshore wind potential to the load centres. Additionally, effects of P2X-demand, which play an important role in the European Commission’s vision for the European energy system, are modelled and analysed.

The study shows levels of offshore wind deployment, comparable to those found by the European Commission in the 1.5 Tech scenario and underlines the importance of transmission grid expansion to realise an efficient power system development. Combining offshore wind with transmission in a meshed offshore grid can contribute to decreasing the total investments in infrastructure. In addition, CO-optimization of the location of P2X-plants, offshore wind and a meshed offshore grid leads to system benefits and reduces transmission capacity needs, thereby contributing to a lower cost of decarbonizing Europe.