California is planning floating wind farms offshore to boost its power supply – here’s how they work

[Elderberry]

Watts Up With That? by Matthew Lackner 7/17/2021

Northern California has some of the strongest offshore winds in the U.S., with immense potential to produce clean energy. But it has a problem. Its continental shelf drops off quickly, making building traditional wind turbines directly on the seafloor costly if not impossible.

Once water gets more than about 200 feet deep – roughly the height of an 18-story building – these “monopile” structures are pretty much out of the question.

A solution has emerged that’s being tested in several locations around the world: making wind turbines that float. In fact, in California, where drought is putting pressure on the hydropower supply and fires have threatened electricity imports from the Pacific Northwest, the state is moving forward on plans to develop the nation’s first floating offshore wind farms as we speak.

So how do they work?
Three main ways to float a turbine

A floating wind turbine works just like other wind turbines – wind pushes on the blades, causing the rotor to turn, which drives a generator that creates electricity. But instead of having its tower embedded directly into the ground or the sea floor, a floating wind turbine sits on a platform with mooring lines, such as chains or ropes, that connect to anchors in the seabed below.

More: https://wattsupwiththat.com/2021/07/17/california-is-planning-floating-wind-farms-offshore-to-boost-its-power-supply-heres-how-they-work/


Three of the common types of floating wind turbine platform.

[Hoodat]

As if their electricity prices aren't high enough already.  Offshore wind may be the most costly way to generate electricity.

[PeteS in CA]

Those look like enviro-disasters - real ones, not chimeras - in search of a site to happen.

[Wingnut]

Oh yeah/  That'll work. 

[catfish1957]

I am convinced an army for Forest Gumps have infliltrated our R & D ranks.

[GtHawk]

Seems to me Germany was going gangbusters on offshore wind farms and ran into problems, one that I am sure California will also have had to do with the grid. And apparently you just can't count on the wind.

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/german-renewables-use-knocked-by-lower-wind-output-2021-06-28/

[rangerrebew]

Have they made contingency plans for what happens if they get in the way of a Hollyweird  star's yacht?

[Idiot]

Watts Up With That? by Matthew Lackner 7/17/2021

Northern California has some of the strongest offshore winds in the U.S., with immense potential to produce clean energy. But it has a problem. Its continental shelf drops off quickly, making building traditional wind turbines directly on the seafloor costly if not impossible.

Once water gets more than about 200 feet deep – roughly the height of an 18-story building – these “monopile” structures are pretty much out of the question.

A solution has emerged that’s being tested in several locations around the world: making wind turbines that float. In fact, in California, where drought is putting pressure on the hydropower supply and fires have threatened electricity imports from the Pacific Northwest, the state is moving forward on plans to develop the nation’s first floating offshore wind farms as we speak.

So how do they work?
Three main ways to float a turbine

A floating wind turbine works just like other wind turbines – wind pushes on the blades, causing the rotor to turn, which drives a generator that creates electricity. But instead of having its tower embedded directly into the ground or the sea floor, a floating wind turbine sits on a platform with mooring lines, such as chains or ropes, that connect to anchors in the seabed below.

More: https://wattsupwiththat.com/2021/07/17/california-is-planning-floating-wind-farms-offshore-to-boost-its-power-supply-heres-how-they-work/


Three of the common types of floating wind turbine platform.

Wait until the mother earth lovers see these beautiful (ugh) turbines on the horizon from their multi-million dollar mansions.  I used to kind of tolerate the turbines, now I can't stand them.  They are EVERYWHERE here...not to mention solar farms that seem to go on forever.