Tour Leader 

Our Route

Questions and Answers We Asked During the Visit

Q01. Due to the varying sea water densities, different currents with varying directions and temperatures exist in different maritime regions. Additionally, the costs of offshore foundations using Monopile, Jacket, and Tripod technologies are quite high. Has Siemens made any other improvements or developed alternative technologies specifically addressing marine erosion, or have they developed any new technologies in this regard?

When conducting foundation engineering, they use paint (unlike the paint we typically use on land) that is resistant to seawater and rust. This paint is usually applied thicker because the marine environment demands higher standards. They choose specific paint formulas based on factors such as seawater salinity and regularly maintain the foundations to ensure their durability.

Iron components underwater rust much slower compared to those on land because seawater can provide protection. This means the foundations fixed on the seabed are more durable, but they still regularly inspect the thickness of the foundations to ensure safety. Typically, these foundations can last 30 to 50 years without significant rust issues.

However, if inspections reveal insufficient thickness of the foundations, replacement is necessary rather than repair. Repairing underwater is relatively complex and challenging, and may not achieve the desired results. Therefore, they regularly conduct underwater thickness tests and decide whether replacement is needed based on the test results to ensure the safety and stability of offshore facilities.

Q02. In recent years, Taiwan has been committed to promoting offshore wind power generation. Although these turbines are built at sea and do not cause noise pollution to humans, the "underwater noise" generated during construction and operation has an undeniable impact on local marine ecology. For example, offshore wind farms located in the coastal areas along the west coast overlap with the habitat of the endangered Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins. Does your company have any ongoing research and development of related technologies to reduce the damage of offshore wind power generation to marine ecology?

When installing these foundations, we will definitely take some measures, especially in cases like Yunlin, where construction is carried out at sea. If foundation piling is necessary, we will have dedicated observation teams on-site, such as whale-watching teams. These teams and personnel from relevant departments will patrol when we begin construction. If they notice activities like whale swallowing, dolphins, or similar species in the nearby area, they will immediately notify us to stop work or postpone piling to ensure the welfare of these animals. This will certainly have some impact on construction, I cannot say it won't, but we will strive to take measures to protect and minimize the impact on these animals. These measures require significant investment from the company to ensure that our work does not adversely affect the surrounding environment. Additionally, during the installation of wind turbines, we typically do not affect these animals as our construction areas are usually outside of their activity ranges. Of course, in places like regulated areas, we must adhere to the animal protection guidelines set by relevant departments, which is a requirement we must strictly follow.

Conclusion After Visiting SIEMENS Gamesa Renewable Energy S.A.

Through this visit, we have gained a deeper understanding of the challenges and advantages facing wind power generation. During the visit, we delved into the importance of wind power technology in the energy industry and its position in the field of renewable energy. While many proprietary structures and operational principles remain confidential, this on-site visit has provided us with a profound understanding of the process and technological features of wind power generation. We engaged in discussions with professional engineers to understand the challenges and technological breakthroughs in designing, constructing, and maintaining wind turbines. Simultaneously, we gained further insights into the solutions derived from these challenges and the driving force behind the continuous innovation and advancement of wind power technology. This visit has provided us with a valuable opportunity to expand our understanding and perspectives on wind power generation, igniting our enthusiasm for exploration and research in the field of renewable energy.