Renewable energy, including offshore wind power, is expected to play a significant role in mitigating climate change and meeting a growing demand on electricity. Fiji, a Small Island Developing Nation in the South Pacific, needs large quantities of additional renewable energy to achieve its NDC goals and has good natural resources for offshore wind power. The purpose of the study is to analyse the technical potential for fixed and floating offshore wind power, identify the most suitable site (s), perform economic feasibility analysesfor different-sized offshore wind farms and determine possible emission reductions from offsetting electricity generation based on fossil fuels. The objectives are achieved through a literature study, interviews, a GIS-based multi-criteria site suitability analysis and feasibility calculations. In the study it was concluded that there is great potential for offshore wind power in Fiji. There are large areas with technical potential for fixed and floating offshore wind power and the most suitable sites, both located in the Bligh waters, have average wind speeds of 8.6 m/s and 8.5 m/s. The potential for offshore wind power was concluded to be large enough for Fiji’s needs, economically feasible and potentially competitive to invest in. The simple payback time would be approximately 13.5 years and the cost of electricity would be 0.13 USD/kWh, which is lower than the feed-in tariff for Fiji’s national grid at 0.15 USD/kWh. Different-sized offshore wind farms and its possible emission reductions could contribute with between 12-37% of Fiji’s NDC goal to reduce emissions from the energy sector by 30% compared to a business as usual scenario as well as contribute to have 99% renewable grid-connected electricity generation by 2030. However, during the study, it was concluded an implementation of offshore wind power in Fiji would require large investments, large capacities of energy storage, frequency regulating services and there are potential environmental and social impacts have to be taken into consideration. There is also a need for further research on how to cyclone-proof offshore wind farms in Fiji. / Förnybar energi, inklusive havsbaserad vindkraft, förväntas spela en avgörande roll för att minska klimatförändringarna och för att möta en ökande efterfrågan på elektricitet. Fiji, en liten önation i Stilla havet, behöver stora mängder ytterligare förnybar energi för att nå sina NDC mål och har bra naturresurser för havsbaserad vindkraft. Syftet med studien är att analysera den tekniska potentialen för fixerad och flytande havsbaserad vindkraft, identifiera de mest lämpliga platserna, utföra ekonomiska lönsamhetsanalyser för olika stora havsbaserade vindkraftsparker och avgöra möjliga utsläppsminskningar genom att avsätta elproduktion baserad på fossila bränslen. Målen uppfylls genom en litteraturstudie, intervjuer, GIS-baserad multikriterie platslämplighetsanalys och genomförbarhetsberäkningar. I studien drogs slutsatsen att det finns stor potential för havsbaserad vindkraft i Fiji. Det finns stora områden med teknisk potential för fixerad och flytande havsbaserad vindkraft och de mest lämpliga platserna, båda belägna i Bligh waters, har genomsnittliga vindhastigheter på 8.6 m/s och 8.5 m/s. Potentialen för havsbaserad vindkraft bedöms vara stor nof för Fijis behov, ekonomsikt genomförbart och potentiellt konkurrenskraftigt att investera i. Återbetalningstiden bedöms vara ungeför 13.5 år och elektricitetskostnaden 0.13 USD/kWh, vilket är lägre än inmatningstaxan till Fijis nationella elnät som är på 0.15 USD/kWh. De 12-37% av Fijis mål om att minska utsläppen från energisektorn med 30% jämfört med ett business as usual scenario liksom bidra till att ha 99% förnybar elnätsansluten elgeneration till 2030. Men, i studien drog också slutsatsen att en implementering av havsbaserad vindkraft i Fiji skulle kräva stora investeringar, stora mängder energilagring, frekvensreglerande tjänster och det finns potentiella miljömässiga och sociala effekter som måste tas i hänsyn. Det finns också behov av ytterligare forskning om hur man kan cyklon-säkra havsbaserade vindkraftsparker i Fiji.

As part of the transition towards a fully sustainable energy system, green hydrogen shows great potential to decarbonise several hard-to-abate sectors. To provide the fossil-free electricity required for electrolysis, offshore wind power has emerged as a suggested option. In this report, four scenarios using different electrolyser placements and technologies are compared and applied in a 30-year case study considering a 1 GW offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea. The scenarios are evaluated through the optimisation of electrolyser capacities, full system modelling and simulation, a techno-economic assessment, as well as a literature review of technological readiness, safety aspects and operational considerations. It is shown that a range of installed capacities offers only slight differences in levelised costs and that the optimal sizes to a large part depend on future electrolyser cost developments. A 1:1 sizing ratio between electrolyser capacity and maximum available power is not suggested for any of the studied configurations. Further, the simulations indicate that electrolyser inefficiencies constitute 63.2–68.5% of the total energy losses. Power transmission losses are relatively small due to the short transmission distance, while the power demands of several subsystems are nearly insignificant. Onshore H2 production using an alkaline electrolyser system is highlighted, offering the highest system efficiency and largest hydrogen production, at 55.93% and 2.23 Mton, respectively. This setup is further shown to be the most cost-efficient, offering a levelised cost of hydrogen at 3.15 €/kgH2. However, obstacles in the form of social and environmental concerns and regulations are seemingly larger compared to the scenarios using offshore electrolysis. Further, rapid future cost developments for electrolysers are likely to strengthen the case for offshore and PEM electrolyser configurations. A range of research opportunities are highlighted to fill the identified knowledge gaps and enable further insights. / Como parte de la transicion hacia un sistema energético totalmente sostenible, el hidrógeno verde muestra un gran potencial para descarbonizar varios sectores en los que es difíciles de conseguir. La energía eólica marina ha surgido como una opción para suministrar la electricidad libre de fósiles necesaria para la electrólisis. En este informe se comparan y aplican cuatro escenarios que utilizan diferentes ubicaciones y tecnologías de electrolizadores en un estudio de caso a 30 aoñs que considera un parque eólico marino de 1 GW en el Mar Báltico. Los escenarios se evalúan mediante una optimización de la capacidad de los electrolizadores, la modelización y simulación de todo el sistema, una revisión bibliográfica de la disponibilidad tecnológica, teniendo en cuenta los aspectos de seguridad y las consideraciones operativas. Se demuestra que una gama de capacidades instaladas ofrece sólo ligeras diferencias en los costes nivelados y que los tamaños óptimos dependen en gran medida de la evolución futura de los costes de los electrolizadores. No se recomienda una relación de tamaño de 1:1 entre entre la capacidad del electrolizador y la potencia máxima disponible. Además, las simulaciones indican que las ineficiencias del electrolizador constituyen entre el 63,2% y el 68,5% de las pérdidas totales de energía. Las pérdidas de transmisión de energía son relativamente pequeñas debido a la corta distancia de transmisión, mientras que las demandas de energía de varios subsistemas son casi insignificantes. Destaca la producción de H2 en tierra utilizando un sistema de electrolizador alcalino, que ofrece la mayor eficiencia del sistema y la mayor producción de hidrógeno, con un 55,93% y 2,23 Mton respectivamente. Además, este sistema es el más rentable, con un coste nivelado del hidrógeno de 3,15 €/kgH2. Sin embargo, los obstáculos sociales, medioambientales y normativos parecen ser mayores que en el caso de la electrólisis en alta mar. Además, es probable que la rápida evolución de los costes de los electrolizadores refuerce las configuraciones de electrolizadores marinos y PEM. Se destacan en el documento una serie de oportunidades de investigación con el fin de completar el estado del arte identificado.

As part of the transition towards a fully sustainable energy system, green hydrogen shows great potential to decarbonise several hard-to-abate sectors. To provide the fossil-free electricity required for electrolysis, offshore wind power has emerged as a suggested option. In this report, four scenarios using different electrolyser placements and technologies are compared and applied in a 30-year case study considering a 1 GW offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea. The scenarios are evaluated through the optimisation of electrolyser capacities, full system modelling and simulation, a techno-economic assessment, as well as a literature review of technological readiness, safety aspects and operational considerations. It is shown that a range of installed capacities offers only slight differences in levelised costs and that the optimal sizes to a large part depend on future electrolyser cost developments. A 1:1 sizing ratio between electrolyser capacity and maximum available power is not suggested for any of the studied configurations. Further, the simulations indicate that electrolyser inefficiencies constitute 63.2–68.5% of the total energylosses. Power transmission losses are relatively small due to the short transmission distance, while the power demands of several subsystems are nearly insignificant. Onshore H2 production using an alkaline electrolyser system is highlighted, offering the highest system efficiency and largest hydrogen production, at 55.93% and 2.23 Mton, respectively. This setup is further shown to be the most cost-efficient, offering a levelised cost of hydrogen at 3.15 €/kgH2. However, obstacles in the form of social and environmental concerns and regulations are seemingly larger compared to the scenarios using offshore electrolysis. Further, rapid future cost developments for electrolysers are likely to strengthen the case for offshore and PEM electrolyser configurations. A range of research opportunities are highlighted to fill the identified knowledge gaps and enable further insights. / Como parte de la transición hacia un sistema energético totalmente sostenible, el hidrógeno verde muestra un gran potencial para descarbonizar varios sectores en los que es difíciles de conseguir. La energía eólica marina ha surgido como una opción para suministrar la electricidad libre de fósiles necesaria para la electrólisis. En este informe se comparan y aplican cuatro escenarios que utilizan diferentes ubicaciones y tecnologías de electrolizadores en un estudio de caso a 30 años que considera un parque eólico marino de 1 GW en el Mar Báltico. Los escenarios se evalúan mediante una optimización de la capacidad de los electrolizadores, la modelización y simulación de todo el sistema, una revisión bibliográfica de la disponibilidad tecnológica, teniendo en cuenta los aspectos de seguridad y las consideraciones operativas. Se demuestra que una gama de capacidades instaladas ofrece sólo ligeras diferencias en los costes nivelados y que los tamaños óptimos dependen en gran medida de la evolución futura de los costes de los electrolizadores. No se recomienda una relación de tamaño de 1:1 entre entre la capacidad del electrolizador y la potencia máxima disponible. Además, las simulaciones indican que las ineficiencias del electrolizador constituyen entre el 63,2% y el 68,5% de las pérdidas totales de energía. Las pérdidas de transmisión de energía son relativamente pequeñas debido a la corta distancia de transmisión, mientras que las demandas de energía de varios subsistemas son casi insignificantes. Destaca la producción de H2 en tierra utilizando un sistema de electrolizador alcalino, que ofrece la mayor eficiencia del sistema y la mayor producción de hidrógeno, con un 55,93% y 2,23 Mton respectivamente. Además, este sistema es el más rentable, con un coste nivelado del hidrógeno de 3,15 €/kgH2. Sin embargo, los obstáculos sociales, medioambientales y normativos parecen ser mayores que en el caso de la electrólisis en alta mar. Además, es probable que la rápida evolución de los costes de los electrolizadores refuerce las configuraciones de electrolizadores marinos y PEM. Se destacan en el documento una serie de oportunidades de investigacin ócon el fin de completar el estado del arte identificado.

Nas últimas décadas, a fonte eolielétrica é a que sinaliza maior crescimento mundial dentre as demais. A curva de aprendizagem tecnológica do setor mostra queda do custo entre 15% a 20% a cada 3 anos. Países ativos no setor eólico se esforçam pela meta de 12% de participação na produção elétrica mundial em 2020. A contribuição da geração eolielétrica offshore é fundamental para essa meta, pela proximidade aos centros de carga, com ganhos de eficiência, de escala e reduzido impacto ambiental e visual. Apesar do crescimento do parque gerador nacional em 2006, há carência na produção no curto prazo. Contraditoriamente, há ventos abundantes para geração eolielétrica e o prévio arcabouço industrial que seria necessário para desenvolver o setor. Apesar do incentivo governamental (PROINFA), o setor eólico brasileiro ainda não decolou como esperado. O objetivo deste trabalho é reforçar o debate sobre a importância da diversificação da matriz, em prol da estratégia de segurança do suprimento energético nacional e da redução da emissão de gases de efeito estufa. Em rumo a esse objetivo, são colocados argumentos com abordagem ampla e com abordagem específica. Na abordagem ampla, esta pesquisa propõe uma maior inserção da fonte eólica na matriz elétrica nacional como uma das opções a serem consideradas de maneira mais relevante nas táticas de diversificação da matriz, a exemplo do que já fazem países com maior abundância de gás natural que o Brasil, como o Reino Unido. Sob um ponto de vista específico, a investigação exemplifica possibilidades de contribuição da fonte eolielétrica, na sua versão offshore, para as táticas de diversificação da matriz nacional que se entendem importantes, a exemplo do já fazem países com maior predominância da fonte hidráulica que o Brasil, como a Noruega. O método utilizado para se alcançar o objetivo desta dissertação envolve os seguintes passos: (1) esclarecer quanto aos principais aspectos do setor energético a nível mundial e o problema ambiental que está vinculado à produção de energia por fontes fósseis; (2) esclarecer quanto aos aspectos do desenvolvimento de sistemas eolielétricos onshore no Brasil e no mundo e também do desenvolvimento de sistemas offshore em países de interesse; (3) explorar exemplos de articulação dos sistemas eólicos offshore com projetos de produção de energia fóssil em ambiente marítimo, como forma de produzir sinergia útil a ambos os setores; (4) analisar e debater sobre as propostas do governo brasileiro para o futuro da matriz elétrica do país; (5) propor algumas possibilidades de desenvolvimento de sistemas eólicos offshore no Brasil, partindo de pequenos projetos-piloto. Caso as propostas deste trabalho se tornem realizadas, os resultados para este país líder em energia limpa e renovável seriam: a criação de valor nas operações offshore de produção de energia fóssil, o ganho de aprendizagem sobre a tecnologia eólica, o alívio parcial da oferta energética para centros litorâneos no curto prazo; a racionalização do uso, transporte e dependência externa do gás natural; a dinamização dos Mecanismos de Desenvolvimento Limpo (CDM / MDL) e de novos mercados e empregos para a indústria. / In the last decade wind power source was the fastest-growing energy source. Technological learning curves for this sector fall down by a 15% a 20% rate each 3 years. Countries which are committed with wind power are running after the target of 12% wind into the worlds electrical production by 2020. The contribution of the offshore wind power (OWP) source is fundamental on covering such target, due to the proximity to load centers, efficiency & scale savings and reduced environmental and visual impact. Although the growth of the Brazilian power generation system in 2006, there is a gap on fulfilling demand in the short run. Nevertheless, Brazil has abundance of winds suitable for power generation, as a previous industrial framework, necessary on developing this sector. Even that a governmental program has come (PROINFA), wind power sector has not risen as expected yet. The goal of this thesis is to reinforce the debate about the importance on diversifying the Brazilian power matrix, towards the strategy of energy security supply as the reduction of greenhouse gases emissions. On reaching such a goal, this thesis states arguments by a generic approach and also by a specific approach. In the generic approach, it proposes a larger share for wind into the Brazilian electrical matrix as one of the options that should be considered in a more relevant manner for the tactics of diversifying the electrical matrix, following the example given by countries with larger abundance than Brazil regarding on natural gas production, as it is the case of the United Kingdom. In the specific approach, this investigation exemplifies possibilities of contributions from the OWP for the tactics of diversifying the matrix, following the example given by a country with higher predominance than Brazil regarding on using large hydropower as the main national power source, which is the case of Norway. The method taken for reaching the thesis goal involves the following steps: (1) to clarify on some aspects regarding energy production and its respective environmental problem related to the greenhouse gases emissions;(2) to clarify some aspects about the development of wind energy systems in Brazil and in the world and also some aspects about the development of OWP projects in selected countries; (3) to explore examples of articulation between OWP systems with offshore fossil energy production systems, in order to argue about the synergy that is possible between them; (4) to analyze and debate about the Brazilian governments proposal for the electrical matrix in the long run; (5) to propose some possibilities of developing OWP systems in Brazil, starting by small-scale pilot projects. If the case the propositions of this thesis come true in the future, the earnings for this country, which a world leader in clean & renewable energy, would be the following: value creation into the offshore fossil energy production; growth of learning about the OWP technologies; the partial relief of power supply for the coastal load centers; rationalization on the use, transport and foreign dependence of natural gas resources; pushing dynamics for Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM), as for industrial markets and employment.

Nas últimas décadas, a fonte eolielétrica é a que sinaliza maior crescimento mundial dentre as demais. A curva de aprendizagem tecnológica do setor mostra queda do custo entre 15% a 20% a cada 3 anos. Países ativos no setor eólico se esforçam pela meta de 12% de participação na produção elétrica mundial em 2020. A contribuição da geração eolielétrica offshore é fundamental para essa meta, pela proximidade aos centros de carga, com ganhos de eficiência, de escala e reduzido impacto ambiental e visual. Apesar do crescimento do parque gerador nacional em 2006, há carência na produção no curto prazo. Contraditoriamente, há ventos abundantes para geração eolielétrica e o prévio arcabouço industrial que seria necessário para desenvolver o setor. Apesar do incentivo governamental (PROINFA), o setor eólico brasileiro ainda não decolou como esperado. O objetivo deste trabalho é reforçar o debate sobre a importância da diversificação da matriz, em prol da estratégia de segurança do suprimento energético nacional e da redução da emissão de gases de efeito estufa. Em rumo a esse objetivo, são colocados argumentos com abordagem ampla e com abordagem específica. Na abordagem ampla, esta pesquisa propõe uma maior inserção da fonte eólica na matriz elétrica nacional como uma das opções a serem consideradas de maneira mais relevante nas táticas de diversificação da matriz, a exemplo do que já fazem países com maior abundância de gás natural que o Brasil, como o Reino Unido. Sob um ponto de vista específico, a investigação exemplifica possibilidades de contribuição da fonte eolielétrica, na sua versão offshore, para as táticas de diversificação da matriz nacional que se entendem importantes, a exemplo do já fazem países com maior predominância da fonte hidráulica que o Brasil, como a Noruega. O método utilizado para se alcançar o objetivo desta dissertação envolve os seguintes passos: (1) esclarecer quanto aos principais aspectos do setor energético a nível mundial e o problema ambiental que está vinculado à produção de energia por fontes fósseis; (2) esclarecer quanto aos aspectos do desenvolvimento de sistemas eolielétricos onshore no Brasil e no mundo e também do desenvolvimento de sistemas offshore em países de interesse; (3) explorar exemplos de articulação dos sistemas eólicos offshore com projetos de produção de energia fóssil em ambiente marítimo, como forma de produzir sinergia útil a ambos os setores; (4) analisar e debater sobre as propostas do governo brasileiro para o futuro da matriz elétrica do país; (5) propor algumas possibilidades de desenvolvimento de sistemas eólicos offshore no Brasil, partindo de pequenos projetos-piloto. Caso as propostas deste trabalho se tornem realizadas, os resultados para este país líder em energia limpa e renovável seriam: a criação de valor nas operações offshore de produção de energia fóssil, o ganho de aprendizagem sobre a tecnologia eólica, o alívio parcial da oferta energética para centros litorâneos no curto prazo; a racionalização do uso, transporte e dependência externa do gás natural; a dinamização dos Mecanismos de Desenvolvimento Limpo (CDM / MDL) e de novos mercados e empregos para a indústria. / In the last decade wind power source was the fastest-growing energy source. Technological learning curves for this sector fall down by a 15% a 20% rate each 3 years. Countries which are committed with wind power are running after the target of 12% wind into the worlds electrical production by 2020. The contribution of the offshore wind power (OWP) source is fundamental on covering such target, due to the proximity to load centers, efficiency & scale savings and reduced environmental and visual impact. Although the growth of the Brazilian power generation system in 2006, there is a gap on fulfilling demand in the short run. Nevertheless, Brazil has abundance of winds suitable for power generation, as a previous industrial framework, necessary on developing this sector. Even that a governmental program has come (PROINFA), wind power sector has not risen as expected yet. The goal of this thesis is to reinforce the debate about the importance on diversifying the Brazilian power matrix, towards the strategy of energy security supply as the reduction of greenhouse gases emissions. On reaching such a goal, this thesis states arguments by a generic approach and also by a specific approach. In the generic approach, it proposes a larger share for wind into the Brazilian electrical matrix as one of the options that should be considered in a more relevant manner for the tactics of diversifying the electrical matrix, following the example given by countries with larger abundance than Brazil regarding on natural gas production, as it is the case of the United Kingdom. In the specific approach, this investigation exemplifies possibilities of contributions from the OWP for the tactics of diversifying the matrix, following the example given by a country with higher predominance than Brazil regarding on using large hydropower as the main national power source, which is the case of Norway. The method taken for reaching the thesis goal involves the following steps: (1) to clarify on some aspects regarding energy production and its respective environmental problem related to the greenhouse gases emissions;(2) to clarify some aspects about the development of wind energy systems in Brazil and in the world and also some aspects about the development of OWP projects in selected countries; (3) to explore examples of articulation between OWP systems with offshore fossil energy production systems, in order to argue about the synergy that is possible between them; (4) to analyze and debate about the Brazilian governments proposal for the electrical matrix in the long run; (5) to propose some possibilities of developing OWP systems in Brazil, starting by small-scale pilot projects. If the case the propositions of this thesis come true in the future, the earnings for this country, which a world leader in clean & renewable energy, would be the following: value creation into the offshore fossil energy production; growth of learning about the OWP technologies; the partial relief of power supply for the coastal load centers; rationalization on the use, transport and foreign dependence of natural gas resources; pushing dynamics for Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM), as for industrial markets and employment.

The aim of this thesis is to evaluate different repowering alternatives from the viewpoint of increasing power production from existing offshore wind farms (OWF), as some of the first commissioned OWFs are approaching the end of their expected lifetime. The thesis presents a literature review of components and financial aspects that are of importance for repowering of OWFs. In the literature review, risks and uncertainties regarding repowering are also lifted and analysed. The thesis contains a case study on Horns Rev 1 OWF, where three different repowering scenarios are evaluated by technical and financial performance, aiming to compare the cost of repowering alternatives. The design of the case study is based around previous studies of offshore repowering having focused mainly on achieving the lowest possible levelized cost of energy (LCoE) and highest possible capacity factor, often resulting in suggested repowering utilizing smaller wind turbines than the existing ones. In order to evaluate the financial viability of repowering alternatives, the software RETScreen Expert was used to estimate the annual energy production (AEP) after losses and calculate the net present value (NPV) and LCoE for lifetime extension and full repowering utilizing different capacity wind turbines. Input values from the literature as well as real wind resource measurements from the site was utilized to achieve as accurate results as possible. The result of the case study shows that repowering of OWFs have the possibility of providing a very strong business case with all scenarios resulting in a positive NPV as well as lower LCoE than the benchmarked electricity production price. Although the initial investment cost of the different repowering alternatives presented in this thesis still are uncertain to some extent, due to the lack of reliable costs for repowering alternatives, this thesis provides a base for further research regarding the repowering of OWFs.

Recognizing the imperative transition towards renewable energy sources to combat climate change, this study explores the outlooks for offshore wind power in Norway, a country endowed with extensive coastlines and favourable wind conditions. The thesis sets out to support decision-making processes by synthesizing contemporary research and applying context-specific insights to the southern half of the Norwegian economic zone (NEZ) into a comprehensive Spatial-Multi-criteria Analysis (SMCA). Through meticulous research, sub-criteria relevant to the geographical information systems-based SMCA are identified across four major categories: Wind, Techno-economic, Environ-mental, and Social considerations. Through the adoption of the Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) framework, the analysis generates suitability maps for all identified sites within the NEZ, facilitating a ranking procedure for both floating and bottom-fixed sites. By, among else, incorporating potential grid connection points and distance to suitable ports, this thesis offers a novel contribution to the limited body of literature on offshore wind power SMCA in the NEZ. Additionally, through state of the art data sets on mammal presence and cumulative impact on seabirds, the study not only advances the academic discourse on offshore wind power planning but also offers practical tools for policymakers and industry practitioners. The findings underscore the complexity of offshore wind farm siting, highlighting the impor-tance of a balanced consideration of various criteria to ensure sustainable and economically viable energy production. Significantly, amongst sites suitable for floating foundations, Ves-tavind A emerges as the prime location for wind farm development. The bottom rankings, however, are claimed by different sites depending on which weighting schema is applied. For future studies on the topic, important building blocks include incorporating data on seabed conditions such as geology and sloping into the SMCA alongside including more sub-criteria linked to met-ocean conditions (e.g., cut-out periods of the wind turbines caused by extreme weather). / Mot bakgrund av den globala omställningen till en alltmer grön energimix utforskar denna studie utsikterna för havsbaserad vindkraft i Norge, ett land med vidsträckta kustlinjer och gynnsamma vindförhållanden. Uppsatsen syftar till att stödja beslutsprocesser genom att sammanställa samtida forskning och tillämpa insikter anpassade till den södra halvan av Norges ekonomiska zon (NEZ) i en omfattande rumslig analys. Slutprodukten blir en relativ rangordning av en uppsättning områden som alla, enligt norska myndigheter, lämpar sig för installation av havsbaserad vindkraft. Genom noggrann efterforskning identifieras olika faktorer (subkriterier) som anses rel-evanta för den rumsliga analysen, dessa delas up i fyra övergripande kategorier: Vind, Tekno-ekonomiska faktorer, Miljöaspekter och Sociala aspekter. Med hjälp av en särskild viktningsmodell, där faktorerna ställs mot varandra och prioriteras utifrån deras relativa betydelse, genereras lämplighetskartor för alla platser inom studieområdet. Denna process ligger sedermera till grund för den ovannämnda rangordningen och görs både för platser som är tänkta för flytande och bottenfast havsbaserad vindkraft. Genom att bland an-nat inkludera potentiella anslutningspunkter till elnätet och avstånd till hamnar, som speficifkt lämpars sig för vindturbininstallationer, bidrar detta forskningsarbete med nytt innehåll till den vetenskapliga litteraturen. Därtill kan studien, utöver att bidra till den akademiska diskursen, komma att fungera som ett praktiskt verktyg för beslutsfattare och yrkesverksamma inom industrin. Resultaten påminner läsaren om komplexiteten i placeringen av havsbaserade vindkraftverk, vilket bekräftar vikten av en balanserad beaktning av olika kriterier. Detta för att kunna säkerställa att nya energiprojekt presterar bra utifrån ett miljömässigt och socialt perspektiv samtidigt som den ekonomiska lönsamheten säkras. Sett till de områden som studien utreder framstår Vestavind A som det bäst lämpade området för utveckling av havsbaserad vindkraft. De lägsta placeringarna upptas emellertid av olika platser beroende på hur de olika kriterierna viktas. Några förslag på hur denna studie kan utvecklas för att fortsatt kunna bidra till nya insikter inom forskningsområdet är att inkludera data om bottenförhållanden (exempelvis geologi och lutning) i den rumsliga analysen, samt att addera subkriterier med en naturlig koppling till meteorologiska aspekter såsom avbrottsperioder för vindturbiner till följd av extremväder.

The permitting process is an integral part of the successful expansion of offshore wind and renewable energy in the European Union. Many permit process studies, to date, have focused on limited methods and criteria and have been a comparison of two countries. This thesis was written in collaboration with a steering group’s work on an updated marine synthesis report in the Swedish Energy Agency and Swedish Environmental Protection Agency’s joint research programme, Vindval. It compares the permitting process and its effectiveness in 4 EU countries (Germany, Denmark, Scotland, and Sweden) with special emphasis on the acoustic impacts of wind turbine construction. 6 Key criteria that determine the outcome of a successful permit application were analysed: a) permit process maps b) quantity of actors c) consultation times d) ecological and environmental impact e) “planning vs permitting” and e) handling of acoustic impacts on marine mammals. Sweden’s process was found to be the most cumbersome and ineffective among the 4 countries. Germany, Denmark, and Scotland have streamline processes, in part due to the successful employment of a ‘one-stop-shop’ mechanism. It is recommended that Sweden create a similar, singular, and centralized ‘one-stop-shop’ authority that has the power to dictate permitting processes. If the country is to meet its goal of 100% renewable energy by 2040, permitting policy should include: flexible permitting for rapidly changing technology, endorsement of continuous dialog between authorities, a limit on consultation time, the removal or amendment of municipal vetoes, and have clear demarcation of worthwhile explorable zones reserved for offshore wind.