TAIPEI, , Dec. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In the 5+2 industries currently targeted for development in Taiwan, green energy technology is a key development item. Policies are strongly promoting the offshore wind power industry within the green energy industry. In order to assist Taiwan in the implementation of offshore wind power, this year, a wind power forum was jointly hosted by TUV Rheinland and the Taiwan Wind Turbine Industry Association . TUV Rheinland specially invited one of its foreign experts on offshore wind power safety assessments from Risktec Solution to share information on topics such as offshore wind power life-cycle risk management and analysis, international wind power standards, underwater infrastructure certification, as well as implementation and planning of offshore wind power industrial localization in Taiwan. These specialized topics brought new perspectives to a captivated audience.
The world is entering an era where clean energy is causing revolutionary changes. The power grid is undergoing a transformation as countries across the globe seek to achieve zero emissions for power systems before the year 2050. Due to the uncertainty of the global power market, along with changes in renewable energy policies in various nations, the outlook for the wind power industry can be unpredictable. The one thing that is certain is that wind power will continue to play a significant role in energy systems in the future.
According to a survey conducted by the international organization 4C Offshore, 18 of the top 20 best offshore wind power sites in the world are located within the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan's promotion of wind power can contribute to efforts in achieving a non-nuclear homeland, outstanding wind farms in the Taiwan Strait, and stimulating development of emerging industries. This is the reason that as part of the Taiwan's 4-Year Wind Power Implementation Plan, an additional 652MW of power generation from land and offshore wind power sources is expected to be in place by the year 2020. The mid-to-long-term plan is to achieve cumulative power generation capacity of 4200MW by the year 2025, realizing the vision for energy transformation and a green economy.
As a key energy source for the future, risk management throughout the entire wind power life cycle is essential to ensuring wind farms remain in regular, efficient operating condition. Risk management for offshore wind power projects requires detailed identification of risks and implementation of risk-specific measures for processes such as transportation, geological surveys, construction, and installation involved in ocean wind power projects. Hazards contributing to ocean risks include working at heights, lifting operations, transportation of personnel, flammable materials, pressurized systems, maritime transport, and structural failure, amongst other factors. Safety is key in ocean wind power, and identifying risks and knowledge of risk management systems will maximize production and profit while minimizing unplanned shutdowns.
Offshore wind power policies have been implemented in the hope of stimulating development in three major industries: wind turbine production, maritime construction, and wind farm operations and maintenance. As Taiwan's offshore wind power sector has only recently emerged, issues such as wind power technology, talent, and bank financing pose certain challenges. Since working on an ocean wind farm entails significant risk, the unique work and living environment can have a great impact on the health and safety of those employed. Grueling physical labor, frequent working at heights for prolonged periods, exposure to extreme heat and extreme cold, limited personal space, and significant periods away from one's family can have pronounced impacts on employees' mental and physical health. This is the reason why risk assessment focused on occupational and operational safety are absolute necessities for the welfare of those working on ocean wind farms, including periodic environmental inspections and physical exams.
TUV Rheinland excels in comprehensive life-cycle services within the wind power field, from site selection and design to operation of wind farms. As an increasing number of corporations enter the wind power market across the world, safety considerations related to wind turbines, steel structures, and components will become an important threshold. Certification of wind turbines and related components is conducted upon the basis of the IEC 61400 series and related German standards and guidelines such as the DIBt and GL guidelines. TUV Rheinland offers expert inspections, summation check analyses for land and ocean wind farms, quality and safety certification for wind turbines, and assistance in ensuring safe, highly efficient wind power operations and maintenance. As offshore wind power construction continues to surge in Taiwan, the effective reduction of construction risk holds substantial social and economic significance.
