Energia complete offshore wind farm study in 3 weeks, with Optioneer
Energia needed to quickly decide on the best options for two offshore wind farms. Optioneer helped them find the best export cable routes and grid connections faster and more thoroughly.
150+
Different criteria assessed for each scenario.
200
Connection points studied for two offshore wind sites.
500+
Combinations of Onshore PoC x Landfall x Offshore exit locations studied.
With ambitious government targets to support, Energia needed to progress projects without the danger of major delays or setbacks. These could come from local stakeholder objections, insufficient analysis on route options and a lack of evidence for regulator approval.
Energia is an energy company and renewables developer that’s helping the Irish Government to reach its target of generating 5GW of energy from offshore wind projects by 2030. The company contracted Xodus to undertake cable optioneering on two large offshore wind projects, with Optioneer implemented to support the process.
Xodus was contracted by Energia to compare and rank grid connection options and export cable route(s) based on a desktop study, and to make final recommendations on preferred grid connection points for each project.
However the project was complex with multiple grid connection options as well as unknown wind farm, substation and landfall locations, meaning there were a near infinite number of potential offshore / onshore routing options for the export cable.
This presented a serious challenge to undertake a robust analysis of grid connection points and routing options for export cables with limited resources available and tight deadlines to hit.
The process
Xodus used Optioneer to explore millions of potential route options for export cables, which were assessed against environmental, social, engineering and cost criteria simultaneously. With the first options generated in hours, this helped Energia to engage key stakeholders much earlier in the process.
The platform was used to evaluate environmental impacts and public acceptance issues which Energia could explore with local communities, NGOs, and other key stakeholders at earlier stages.
This provided valuable feedback which could be easily incorporated by updating existing options with instant route updates and changes possible.
Optioneer’s AI engine was also used to study all possible options for grid connection points to offshore and onshore substations, and assess all possible landfall locations to ensure a comprehensive selection process prior to more detailed design on shortlisted options.
Xodus used Optioneer to explore millions of potential route options for export cables, which were assessed against environmental, social, engineering and cost criteria simultaneously. With the first options generated in hours, this helped Energia to engage key stakeholders much earlier in the process.
The platform was used to evaluate environmental impacts and public acceptance issues which Energia could explore with local communities, NGOs, and other key stakeholders at earlier stages.
This provided valuable feedback which could be easily incorporated by updating existing options with instant route updates and changes possible.
Optioneer’s AI engine was also used to study all possible options for grid connection points to offshore and onshore substations, and assess all possible landfall locations to ensure a comprehensive selection process prior to more detailed design on shortlisted options.
The results
Energia, with its optioneering partner Xodus, succeeded in completing a robust selection process for grid connections and cable routes.
The projects saw 7 onshore substations and 9 offshore substation locations shortlisted in a final study which was completed in 3 weeks, helping Energia to accelerate progress on its two wind farms projects.
Energia, with its optioneering partner Xodus, succeeded in completing a robust selection process for grid connections and cable routes.
The projects saw 7 onshore substations and 9 offshore substation locations shortlisted in a final study which was completed in 3 weeks, helping Energia to accelerate progress on its two wind farms projects.
Deliverables achieved for offshore wind development in record time.
Xodus identified as innovators in the space, delivering greater value.
Suitability of Optioneer for export cable optimization confirmed.
With the help of AI software Optioneer, a significant number of routes were evaluated in greater detail than would be possible with traditional engineering approaches, particularly in the offshore domain.
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