The Danish Energy Agency and the California Energy Commission signed an agreement to extend their cooperation on energy efficiency and offshore wind energy, which began back in 2017. The new partnership runs until 2024 and will also include new cooperation on Power-to-X.
“Denmark is well ahead with the green transition. Both in regard to political framework and technical capacity. It is important that we share our good experiences with those who emit the most CO2 globally. This is where Denmark can really make a difference in the global green transition. Because, when the green measures around the world are speeded up, it will also create opportunities for Danish companies, which excel in green technology,” says Lars Aagard, Danish Minister of Climate, Energy and Utilities.
The United States is among the world’s largest CO2 emitters, but the Biden administration has set ambitious climate goals for the future, in which the state of California plays an important part:
“As one of the largest economies in the world, California is committed to a future with 100% clean energy for all. We are proud to continiously strengthen our efforts on a global level through the renewed agreement with our Danish partners, and I look forward to collaborating in crucial areas such as offshore wind and energy efficiency,” says David Hochschild, California Energy Commission Chairman.
Supporting the land of green opportunities
The US is Denmark’s largest export market and the third largest when it comes to exports of energy technology. The partnership between Denmark and the US began back in 2017, where Danish experiences with energy efficiency and offshore wind are shared to boost the US’ green transition while creating export opportunities for companies specialising in energy technology that contributes to CO2 reductions.
With 1.350 km of coastline, the American west coast holds a great, untapped potential for green energy. The area is estimated to have a total capacity of over 8 GW, which corresponds to power for approx. 4 million American households’ electricity consumption.
In the renewed cooperation, the Danish Energy Agency will help US authorities optimise the legislative framework for offshore wind. Making the processes manageable and lowering risks for investors is crucial in the development of Californian offshore wind, which, due to the great depths of the Pacific Ocean, must be based on new technology in the form of floating wind turbines rather than wind turbines with bottom-fixed foundations.
The collaboration also deals with experiences with developing the necessary infrastructure to utilize wind energy, including developing the electricity grid and the necessary port infrastructure. On the other hand, Denmark can also learn new things from California, for example in relation to floating offshore wind, which is a new, promising area of technology.
The renewed collaboration includes a track to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and energy-intensive industries. This will contribute to achieving California’s goal of CO2 neutrality in 2045.