UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE - Wind Energy Network

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Research – the Indian Ocean
Dr L R Chary of AMET Maritime University is
leading research into wind power potential
on a number of small islands and this could
open up a wider Indian Ocean Study.
A wind monitoring station will track wind
power and, with small islands dotting
the continental rims of this huge ocean
this research could have wider impact.
The Indian Ocean accounts for over half
container traffic and, 40% of offshore oil
and 70% of all energy passes through it.
Wind energy next
Assistance
As with all power sources India needs
help on the business model – finance,
technology and operational support.
Going into deeper waters and setting
up floating wind turbine platforms will be
a challenging proposition for India. Dr
L R Chary’s team at AMET are looking
at how best to reduce O&M (Operation
Maintenance) costs of offshore wind
farms from the baseline of 23% for Indian
installations. For example, wind turbines
with contra-rotating rotors for offshore
wind farms to effect economy of scale.
Ministry Renewable Energy
Group (MNRE)
Dr LR Chary sits on the MNRE Group
working on Policy on renewables. To
reduce dependence on fossil fuel-based
power stations with a huge carbon
footprint, low and no carbon sources are
being prioritised. India proposes to add
at least 4500 MW through offshore wind
energy once the policy is in place. This
policy is being heavily influenced by EU
experience and this opens up significant
opportunities for UK PLC.
Maximising potential
The Indian wind energy industry needs
International partners to maximise huge
potential; to plug technology gaps and
explore wider synergies with oil/gas fields.
Given the busy ocean, other areas such
as shipping lanes and the impact of hostile
monsoon weather/sea conditions need
better understanding. In parallel, India has
a lot to offer in terms of smaller, scaleable
solutions.
For example, speaking at the Wind Power
2011 seminar in India Steve Sawyer,
General Secretary of the Global Wind
Energy Council (GWEC) highlighted a
small wind-solar hybrid system that is ideal
for the fast growing market for efficient,
cost-effective and sustainable sources of
energy for local communities. And as UK
PLC considers opportunities in India, we
need to look wider at the Indian Ocean as
a whole.
Rob Bell is CEO of Archomai, Visiting
Reader at Aberdeen Business School
and, a Member of the AMET Maritime
University Advisory Board, India.
Rob Bell
Archomai
www.archomaico.uk
www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
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