Diploma Thesis Defense by Mr Nikolaos Tsarknias
Thesis Title: «Sustainable siting and energy assessment of floating wind farms in Crete»
Thursday 10 June 2021, at: 11:00, Venue: https://tuc-gr.zoom.us/j/85331150160?pwd=d3dFYXZ4R3QyNkwvSDZNZXloUW1vdz09
Meeting ID: 853 3115 0160
Password: 848313
Examination Committee
- Professor Theocharis Tsoutsos (advisor)
- Professor Dionysia Kolokotsa
- Assistant Professor Androniki Tsouchlaraki
Abstract
Wind energy is a promising renewable energy source, in the way towards human dependence from fossil fuels. According to 2020 data, 11% of EU’s electric energy is produced from the wind at a time when interest in investing in green energy is constantly growing. However, most of wind potential is located at the sea and mainly in great depth areas where the installation of fixed wind turbines is unfeasible. Floating wind farms technology, which can be deployed at deep waters, could take advantage of this high potential in order to produce clean energy.
The aim of this study is to define the most suitable areas for the installation of floating wind farms in the sea of Crete and to evaluate them according to their energy characteristics. To achieve this goal a methodology based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is developed.
According to the developed methodology, available areas for installation are initially defined. These locations are determined after the exclusion of areas based on criteria that arise from the Greek framework and the state of the art. The criteria used for the elimination of unsuitable locations are called exclusion criteria. Available areas are further evaluated based on criteria related to energy, techno-economic, environmental, safety and project nuisance factors, in order to determine the most suitable areas for the installation of floating wind farms. Three areas are defined as the most suitable, all of which are located in the Lassithi Regional Unit, confirming the important role that this area can play in the production of clean energy. Finally, the energy characteristics of the three most suitable areas are determined for the purpose of energy evaluation.
The study, based on the developed methodology, achieves to determine the suitability of all marine areas of the region of Crete regarding the installation of floating wind farms. In addition, the important energy role that floating wind farms can play in the case of Crete is emphasized, as the use of only the most suitable areas can cover up to 56% of the energy needs of the island.
Keywords: Floating wind farms, RES Sitting, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Marine energy, Crete
