EirWind

Title: EirWind
Start: 1^st Aug 2018
End: 31^st July 2020
Research Partner/Host: MaREI, the SFI Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine, ERI, UCC, Ireland
Industry Partners: DP Energy Ireland, Equinor ASA, Enerco Energy, Statkraft Ireland, Brookfield Renewable Ireland, EDP Renewables, SSE Renewables, Simply Blue Energy, ENGIE, and Electricity Supply Board (ESB)
Principal Investigators: Dr Valerie Cummins and Dr Jimmy Murphy
Project Manager: Dr Nguyen Dinh

Introduction

EirWind is a MaREI Centre industry-led collaborative research project, aimed at developing a blueprint for offshore wind development in Ireland. This two-year, multidisciplinary project focused on:-

The development of Geographic Information Systems, data gap analysis, new data layers and recommendations for data in the study of strategic areas for offshore wind, off Ireland’s east, south and west coasts (WP2).

Improvement of cost optimization tools and cost reduction solutions, in order to develop an advanced approach to planning for bottom fixed and floating offshore wind scenarios in Ireland (WP3).

Review the challenges associated with consenting offshore wind projects and make recommendations for stakeholder engagement, including fisheries. Assess seabird vulnerability and review impacts on fisheries and marine mammals (WP4).

Identify options for route to market for offshore wind in Ireland (WP5).

Research synthesis (WP6).

Work Packages

Research Team

Work package 2: Data management for site evaluation

Prof. Andrew Wheeler (WP Leader)
Dr Jared Peters, Postdoctoral Researcher
Felix Butschek, GIS Researcher
Ross O’Connell, MSc researcher (Former member)
Tiny Remmers, GIS Research Assistant (Former member)

WP3: Development optimisation for Cost Reduction

Dr Jimmy Murphy (WP Leader)
Dr Fiona Devoy McAuliffe, Senior Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr Cian Desmond, Research Fellow
Dr Frances Judge, Postdoctoral Researcher
Mr Prasad Gade, Senior Software Engineer (Former member)
Rachel Chester, Research Engineer (Former member)

WP4: Governance and Biological

Dr Valerie Cummins (WP Leader)
Dr Mark Jessopp (WP Co-Leader, Biological)
Dr Declan Jordan (WP Co-Leader, Socio and Spatial Economics)
Yvonne Cronin, Researcher
Dr Sarah Kandrot, Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr Mitra Kami Delivand, Senior Postdoctoral Researcher
Michael Sweeney, Researcher
Dr Anne Marie O’Hagan, Senior Research Fellow (Adjunct member)
Zoe O’Hanlon, Researcher (Adjunct member)
Dr Emma Jane Critchley, Postdoctoral Researcher (Former member)
William Hunt, Researcher (Former member)

WP5: Markets, infrastructures and economic benefits

Dr Paul Leahy (WP Leader)
Dr Eamon McKeogh (Energy Market and Storage Technical specialist)
Dr Nguyen Dinh (WP Co-Leader)
Jochelle Laguipo, Researcher
Pedro Pereira, Researcher
Barry Bambury, Researcher

WP6: Synthesis

Dr Valerie Cummins (WP Co-Leader)
Dr Jimmy Murphy (WP Co-Leader)
Dr Eamon McKeogh (Consultant)
Dr Nguyen Dinh, Senior Research Fellow

Deliverables

EIRWIND DELIVERABLES

The following deliverables (D) and milestones (M) have been achieved (by 11^th of June 2020):

WP1: Project management

M1.1.1 Project consortium meeting in Cork, 30^th August 2018
M1.1.2 Project consortium meeting in Cork, 29^th November 2018
M1.1.3 Project consortium meeting in Dublin, 31^st January 2019.
M1.1.4 Project consortium meeting in Cork, 02^ndMay 2019.
EirWind Networking Event, 10th June 2019
D1.1 Interim MaREI project admin report
M1.2.1 Project consortium meeting in Cork, 27^th August 2019.
M1.2.2 Project consortium meeting in Cork, 28^th November 2019
M1.2.3 Project consortium meeting in Cork, 11^th March 2020
M1.2.4 Project consortium meeting (virtual), 28^th May 2020

WP2: Data management for site evaluation

D2.1 Data Resources Assessment—Phase 1 (Data Requirements, Gap analysis and Strategic Plan)
D2.2 Field Measurement Plan 1
D2.3 Data Set Release 1 (Open GIS), in accordance with data standards, and as per the requirements of the industry partners.
M2.1 Review & Revision of Progress & Work Plan
M2.2 Interim Data Report
D2.4 Data Resources Assessment—Phase 2 report on 3-4 development zones
D2.5 Field Measurement Plan 2

WP3: Development optimisation for Cost Reduction

M3.1 First round of scenario building workshops (for each study site)
D3.1 Initial issues report on Offshore Wind farm Development in Ireland.
M3.2 Second round of scenario modelling consultations (for each study site).
M3.3 Review & Revision of Progress & Work Plan
D3.2 Modelling tool description (after completion of development) and application to various scenarios at generic site locations on east, south and west coasts.
D3.3 Report on optimization analysis in relation to zone development.

WP4: Governance and Biology

D4.1 Stakeholder map.
D4.2 Report – Recommendations for innovation and best practice in support of approaches to stakeholder engagement in the study areas.
D4.3 Comparative analysis of regulatory regime Ire/Scotland
D4.4 Stakeholder Perceptions Report 1
M4.1 1st report 1 of stakeholder engagement and perception studies
M4.2 Review & Revision of Progress & Work Plan.
D4.6 Interim report on models for community co-ownership (including best practice in terrestrial and international cases)
D4.7 Stakeholder Perceptions Report 2.
M4.3 2nd report of stakeholder engagement and perception studies
D4.10 Socio-economic study
M4.4 Methodology outline and scenario identification on mitigation of impacts of offshore wind farms on seabirds
D4.11 Initial report on methodology for the assessment of seabird vulnerability to offshore wind farms in Ireland
D4.12 Initial results for the assessment of seabird vulnerability to offshore wind farms in Ireland
D4.13 Impacts from Offshore Wind Farms on Marine Mammals and Fish – A review of the current knowledge
M4.5 Final outputs on seabird vulnerability mapping
D4.14 Final report on impacts of offshore wind farms on seabirds and marine mammals

WP5: Markets, infrastructures and economic benefits

D5.1 Markets report-Identification of new and Future Markets
D5.2 Cost/Benefit and risk analysis report.
D5.3 Infrastructures and Storage Report 1
D5.4 System Services Report 1
D5.5 Demonstration Pilots design and recommendations 1
M5.1 Report delivery
M5.2 Review & Revision of Progress & Work Plan
D5.7 Enhanced review of electrolyser and power-to-gas technologies with a focus on variable operation and system services
D5.9 Report on the existing and developing interconnectors and their capacity strategies

WP6: Synthesis

D6.1 EirWind Outreach Plan
D6.2 Methodology for blueprint for sustainable development of offshore wind in Ireland.
M6.3 Review & Revision of Progress & Work Plan
M6.2 Technical Advisory Feedback Meeting for project synthesis report consultation

Project Outputs

Final project reports

V.N. Dinh, V. Cummins (Editors) (2019). D1.2. Project mid-term summary report. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3948230

J. Peters, A. Wheeler, T. Remmers, V. Cummins (2018). D2.1. Data Resources Assessment—Phase 1 (Data Requirements, Gap analysis and Strategic Plan). http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3948292

J. Peters, A. Wheeler (2018). D2.2. Field Measurement Plan 1. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3948316

J. Peters, A. Wheeler, V. Cummins. D2.4. Data Resources Assessment—Phase 2. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3948330

J. Peters, V. Cummins, A. Wheeler (2020). D2.5. Parameter Importance Survey Results and GIS Weights.
http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3956218

R. Chester et al. (2018). Deliverable D3.1 Initial Issues in the Development of Offshore Wind in Ireland https://www.marei.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Deliverable-D3.1-Initial-Issues-in-the-Development-of-Offshore-Wind-in-Ireland.pdf

Y. Cronin, V. Cummins (2019). D4.2. Recommended Innovation and Best Practice Stakeholder Engagement. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3947963

Z. O’Hanlon et al. (2019). Deliverable D4.3 Regulatory Report – A Comparative Insight of Irish and Scottish Regulatory Frameworks for Offshore Wind Energy – An Expert Perspective. https://www.marei.ie/wpcontent/uploads/2020/04/EirWind.D4.3_Comparative-study-Scoland-Ireland-offshore-wind_FINAL_12June.pdf

Y. Cronin, V. Cummins (2019). D4.4. Public Perception of Offshore Wind Farms Report Part 1. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3948009

Y. Cronin, E. Wolsztynzki, V. Cummins (2020). D4.7. Public Perception of Offshore Wind Farms Report Part 2.
https://www.marei.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/D4.7_Public_Perception_of_Offshore-Wind_Farms_Report_Part2.pdf

F. Judge, V. Cummins, A. O’Hagan, J. Murphy (2020). D4.8. Study on State bandwidth for offshore wind. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3947916

S. Kandrot, V. Cummins, D. Jordan (2020). D4.10. Socio-Economic Study
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3948015

E. Critchley, M. Jessopp (2019). D4.12. Initial results for the assessment of seabird vulnerability to offshore wind farms in Ireland. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3948454

W. Hunt, M. Jessopp (2019). D4.13. Impacts from Offshore Wind Farms on Marine Mammals and Fish – A review of the current knowledge. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3948460

E. Critchley, M. Jessopp (2019). D4.14. Final report on impacts of offshore wind farms on seabirds. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3948474

T. R. Evans, R. Ballinger, V. Cummins (2020). D4.15. Evaluating Offshore Wind Governance in the Irish Sea using the Policy Arrangements Approach: Lessons for the Republic of Ireland

Y. Cronin, V. Cummins, (2020). D4.16. Media Content Analysis. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3948044

N. Dinh, P. Leahy, V. Cummins, E McKeogh (2018). D5.1. Identification of new and future markets for offshore wind and hydrogen energy. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3948125

J. Laguipo, P. Leahy, V.N. Dinh, E. McKeogh (2019). D5.4. System Services Report 1. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3947973

B. Bambury, P. Leahy, V.N. Dinh, E. McKeogh (2020). D5.6. Projections for future levels of wind curtailment for market arrangements.

P.H. Todesco Pereira, P. Leahy, V.N. Dinh, E. McKeogh (2019). D5.7. Enhanced Review of Electrolyser and Power-to-Gas Technologies with a Focus on Variable Operation and System Services. http://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.3948084

J. Laguipo, P.H. Todesco Pereira, B. Bambury, P. Leahy, V.N. Dinh, E. McKeogh (2020). D5.8. Recommendation on role of government and funding mechanisms for infrastructure development.

P.H. Todesco Pereira, P. Leahy, V.N. Dinh, E. McKeogh (2020). D5.9. Report on the Existing and Developing Interconnectors and Their Capacity Strategies. http://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.3948124

J. Laguipo, B. Bambury, P. Leahy, V.N. Dinh, E. McKeogh (2020). D5.10. Full Economic analyses.

V.N. Dinh, P.H. Todesco Pereira, P. Leahy, E. McKeogh (2020). D5.11. Demonstration Pilots design and recommendations 2.

V.N. Dinh, V. Cummins, J. Murphy, E. McKeogh (2019) D6.2. Literature and Methodology for a Blueprint of Sustainable Development of Offshore Wind in Ireland. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3948113

V. Cummins, E. McKeogh (editors) (2020). D6.4. Synthesis /Blueprint 2 for Phased Approach to Sustainable Development of Offshore Wind in Ireland.

C. Desmond, F. Butschek, (2020). D6.6. EirWind Offshore Development Zones and Pathways Interviews Summary. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3935607

C. Desmond, F. Butschek, (2020). D6.7. EirWind Offshore Development Zones and Pathways Interviews Analysis.

Peer reviewed papers

J.L. Peters, T. Remmers, A. J. Wheeler, J. Murphy, V. Cummins (2020). A systematic review and meta-analysis of GIS use to reveal trends in offshore wind energy research and offer insights on best practices. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 128, URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.109916
Z. O’Hanlon, V. Cummins(2020). A Comparative Insight of Irish and Scottish Regulatory Frameworks for Offshore Wind Energy – An Expert Perspective. Marine Policy Vol. 117. URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2020.103934
S. Kandrot, V. Cummins, D. Jordan(2020). Economic and employment impacts of offshore wind for Ireland: a value chain analysis. International Journal of Green Energy (https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/ljge20/current) (conditionally accepted)
P.H. Todesco Pereira, V. N. Dinh, P. Leahy, E. McKeogh, J. Murphy,V. Cummins (2020). Fuel cells suitability for zero-emission hydrogen-fuelled Crew Transfer Vessels (CTV): Technology review and recommendations. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (submitted).
V.N. Dinh, P. Leahy, E. McKeogh, J. Murphy, V. Cummins(2020) Development of a viability assessment model for hydrogen production from dedicated offshore wind farms. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (In press) URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.04.232
V.N. Dinh(2020). Viability of hydrogen production from a dedicated offshore wind farm-underground storage in the Irish Sea in 2030. IOP journal conference series: Materials Science and Engineering. URL: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1757-899X/736/3/032009

Conference Presentation and Posters

(*=Speaker)

J.Peters*, T. Remmers, A. Wheeler (2019). Data resource assessment for offshore wind development in Ireland—preliminary results and strategies for the future (Presentation). Wind Energy Science Conference (WESC), Cork, 17 – 20 June 2019, EirWind Mini-symposium: Offshore wind in Ireland. URL: https://www.wesc2019.org/abstracts
F. Devoy McAuliffe*, J. Murphy (2020). Reducing lifecycle and supply chains costs for Irish offshore wind farms. Offshore Wind 2020 Conference. 01 July. https://www.offshorewind.energyireland.ie/
R. Chester, J. Murphy, V.N. Dinh* (2019). Initial Issues in the Development of Offshore Wind in Ireland (Presentation). Wind Energy Science Conference (WESC) Cork, 17 – 20 June 2019, EirWind Mini-symposium: Offshore wind in Ireland. URL: https://www.wesc2019.org/abstracts
S. Kandrot*, V. Cummins, D. Jordan(2019). Supply chain modelling of employment potential in the Irish offshore wind sector (Presentation). 47th Regional Science Association International (RSAI) British and Irish Section Conference, Cambridge UK, 18th July 2019. (http://www.rsai-bis.org/conference-programme1.html)
S. Kandrot*, Y. Cronin, M. Kamidelivand, E.J. Critchley, W. Hunt, D. Jordan, M.J. Jessopp, V. Cummins(2019). Social and biological considerations for offshore wind development in Ireland (Presentation). Wind Energy Science Conference (WESC), Cork, 17 – 20 June 2019, EirWind Mini-symposium: Offshore wind in Ireland. URL: https://www.wesc2019.org/abstracts
Y. Cronin*, V. Cummins (2019). Understanding Public Perception of Offshore Wind Farms in Ireland (Poster). Wind Europe Conference and Exhibition. Bilbao, 02 – 04 April 2019, URL: https://windeurope.org/confex2019/conference/posters/
M. Kamidelivand *, V. Cummins, J. Murphy J (2020). Offshore Wind and Fisheries – Key Stakeholder Engagement to Support Co-existence (presentation). Environmental Interactions of Marine Renewables (EIMR) 2020 Conference, April 21st-23rd 2020, Section 5: Marine policy and society. https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/research-enterprise/events-and-seminars/eimr/eimr-2020/
V.N. Dinh* and V. Pushpoth (2019). Viability of hydrogen production from a dedicated offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea in 2030 (Presentation), Energy Security and Chemical Engineering Congress (ESChE), Penang, Malaysia, 17-19 July 2019. URL: https://esche.ump.edu.my/index.php/en/
J Laguipo*, P Leahy, E McKeogh, V. N. Dinh (2019). Developing offshore wind to hydrogen infrastructure in Ireland – costs, benefits and risks (Presentation). Wind Energy Science Conference (WESC) Cork, 17 – 20 June 2019, EirWind Mini-symposium: Offshore wind in Ireland, URL: wesc2019.org
V.N. Dinh* (2018). Hydrogen Production to Support the Development of Offshore Wind. Irish Wind Energy Researchers Network Seminar (Invited Presentation), Cork, 12 December 2018. URL: https://community.ieawind.org/iwern/home
V. Cummins* (2020). The Eirwind Project (Invited Presentation). Irish Wind Energy Research Network – Offshore Wind Webinar. URL: https://community.ieawind.org/iwern/home
V. Cummins* (2019). The Role of Research and Innovation in building capacity for Blue Growth: The Eirwind Project (Invited Presentation). Irish Marine Industry Showcase: Smart Maritime and Offshore Wind, Cork, 11 June 2019. https://www.ouroceanwealth.ie/oow-summit
V.N. Dinh*, J. Murphy, V. Cummins (2019). Methodology for Blueprint of sustainable development of offshore wind in Ireland (Presentation). Wind Energy Science Conference (WESC) Cork, 17 – 20 June 2019, EirWind Mini-symposium: Offshore wind in Ireland. www.wesc2019.org
V. Cummins* (2018). EirWind Project (Invited Presentation). Norwegian Offshore Wind Workshop Ireland, Dublin, 4-5 December 2018. URL: https://offshore-wind.no/event/workshop-ireland-2/.
T. Remmers*, J. Peters, A. Wheeler (2019). Co-designing opportunities towards the development of Irish Offshore wind Energy (Presentation). European Space Agency Living Planet Symposium. Milan, 13 – 17 May 2019 https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Living_Planet_Symposium

Outreach

J. Peters et al. (2019). Policy Brief – Data for Offshore Wind in Ireland, URL: https://www.marei.ie/wpcontent/uploads/2020/04/D2.1_policy_brief_bleed_PartnerNames_FINAL.pdf
J. Murphy(Interview), The Business Post, 07 April 2019. Making waves in offshore wind energy. https://www.businesspost.ie/focus-on/making-waves-offshore-wind-energy-440997
Y. Cronin, V. Cummins (2020). MaREI survey reveals public support for offshore windfarms. https://www.siliconrepublic.com/machines/marei-survey-eirwind-public-attitude-windfarms-ireland
V. Cummins(Interview), Irish Tech News, 17 June 2019. Presenting the EirWind Project at WESC 2019. URL: https://irishtechnews.ie/presenting-the-eirwind-project-at-wesc-2019/
V. Cummins (Interview), Irish Examiner, 11 June 2019. Ireland emerging as attractive market for offshore wind. URL: https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/ireland-emerging-as-attractive-market-for-offshore-wind-929987.html
V. Cummins(Interview), The Independent, 09 June 2019. Power giants in wind-to-hydrogen study. URL: https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/power-giants-in-windtohydrogen-study-38194282.html
D. Jordan, The Irish Examiner, 04 February 2019. Offshore wind can blow many benefits our way. URL: https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/business/offshore-wind-can-blow-many-benefits-our-way-902042.html
E.J. Critchley, M.J. Jessopp, V. Cummins (2019). Policy Brief – Assessing seabird vulnerability to offshore wind farms in Ireland (Resulted from Deliverable 4.11 – Initial report on methodology for the assessment of seabird vulnerability to offshore windfarms in Ireland). URL: https://www.marei.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Policy-Brief-Assessing-seabird-vulnerability-to-offshore-wind-farms-in-Ireland.pdf
P. Leahy, V. Cummins, E. McKeogh, N. Dinh (2019). Report from EirWind’s Grid & Marine Spatial Planning Workshop. URL: https://www.marei.ie/wpcontent/uploads/2020/04/EirWind_GridMSP_Workshop_Public-Report_FINAL_07June.pdf
EirWind response to Public Consultation on National Marine Planning Framework Baseline Report submitted to Ireland’s Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government on 14th December 2018. URL: https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/public-consultation/files/responses/110_eirwind.pdf
V.N Dinh, J Laguipo, P Leahy, E McKeogh (2019). Information Brief – Introduction to hydrogen (Resulted from the deliverable D5.1 – Markets report-Identification of new and Future Markets). URL: https://www.marei.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Information-Brief-Introduction-to-hydrogen.pdf

Media

Dr Val Cummins featured in the RTE Series 10 Things to know: Offshore Wind Season 5 Episode 1 Part 3:

Gallery

EirWind Webinar

EirWind Q&A Booklet

EirWind Slide Deck

EirWind Blueprint for Offshore Wind in Ireland 2020 - 2050

Offshore wind is a “Game Changer” for Ireland. EirWind release 30-year strategy for offshore wind in Ireland which can be read HERE

Meet Our Team

MaREI has over 200 researchers across 13 partner institutes in Ireland working with 75 industry partners focussing on the energy transition, climate action and the blue economy. MaREI delivers excellent research with societal impact by supporting industry, informing policy and empowering society.

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