As an Energy Strategist focused on advanced energy solutions, I’m very excited about the historic floating wind turbine, the first in the U.S., which recently entered the waters off the coast of Maine. However, while much of the focus has been on the 65-foot tall Volturn prototype, I thought it would be useful for readers to take a closer look at similar endeavors led by technological innovation that may also soon be placed offshore and connected to the power grid.

It’s actually pretty amazing to think that the U.S. doesn’t have offshore wind power, especially considering the success this energy source has had overseas. Yet the wake-up call climate change has brought to our towns, cities and states in recent years has only amplified the need for a more complete energy solutions to mitigate reliance on antiquated energy infrastructure and power supplies. This has put some strong sails into the argument to move forward with offshore wind right here in the U.S. especially since many of the proposed development sites are extremely close in geography to some of the country’s largest areas for electricity consumption (see below list of upcoming projects given the green light by the DOE to demonstrate next-generation offshore wind technologies). Also, boosting the case for offshore wind here in the U.S. was the launch of the Smart from the Start wind energy initiative by the U.S. Dept of the Interior to facilitate siting, leasing and construction of offshore projects extension along theAtlantic. Another positive for the space was the protection tax credit (PTC) being extended at the end of 2012 by Congress by one year.

Extending the PTC was a step in the right direction but investors need more assurances that there is truly a long-term agenda to embrace wind. This seems like a no-brainer considering the enormous possibilities for power generation that recent studies are highlighting. For example, according to the U.S. Energy Department, “Offshore wind is a large, untapped energy resource, with the potential to generate 4,000 gigawatts of clean electricity, support up to 200,000 manufacturing, construction, operation and supply chain jobs across the country and drive over $70 billion in annual investments by 2030”.

To put the 4,000 gigawatt figure into perspective, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) put a report out less than one year ago which stated, the U.S. produced a total of 1,800 Gigawatts of solar (GWh), both solar PV and concentrated solar in 2011. Therefore, its not just hot air to say offshore wind power is likely to be a bigger part of our energy future than even solar power. This very idea is something I first highlighted here back in March (see here).

What new innovations and technologies will make offshore wind power more efficient?

• Vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) designs don’t need control systems like horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWT). That means less maintenance is required for a VAWT design. Plus as you can see from the image above, VAWT designs have a lower center of gravity and thus better stability prospects than HAWT. Because of the curved design of a VAWT, there is a better chance to capture wind direction versus HAWT.

• New simulation software (cleanweb technology) to improve turbine designs so they can have greater wear and tear over time from wave and wind impacts. This will allow engineers to create more futuristic designs that can have greater overall performance at further sea depths and further offshore. A specific example of using technology to advance offshore wind is InVest, an open source platform which is used to predict energy production and the value of wind energy.

• Speaking of designs, look for a move towards 2-blade systems (i.e. China’s Envision Energy) over 3-blade ones. 2-blade systems are more aerodynamic. They employ lighter designs, require less resources to build and will lower production costs while actually boosting energy capture potential. Another design gaining attention is the Windlens project in Japan which featured a curved ring around the rotator blades to boost energy generated. One thing is for sure, the evolution of lighter, stronger rare earth minerals will find their way into future offshore wind designs to help durability and weight reduction.

• Pittsburgh-based Bayer Material Science is working on chemical coatings to lower the expected ice buildup on the turbine blades in the cold winter Lake Erie location.

• The University of Maine plans to deploy the turbines on spar buoys, which collects vital geographic suitability data to reduce overall project costs through the use of laser beams, light detection and ranging systems. This system is know as LIDAR and was created by the University of Maine in partnership with NRG Systems, AWS Truepower, Leosphere SAS and the Physical Oceanography Group. Another technological advancement related to weather is the Lockheed Martin Wind Tracer. The Wind Tracer will be used for the Atlantic City project and it will incorporate the first commercial use of the, the world’s strongest long-range weather radar.

So now let’s take a look at some other offshore wind projects in the works. Below is an interactive map created by the Department of Energy (DOE) which was released late in 2012 in a report titled “Accelerating Offshore Wind Development”.

 

Upcoming offshore wind projects and developers:

• Atlantic City, New Jersey: Fisherman’s Atlantic City Windfarm, LLC (construction start in 2013; to be commissioned by end of 2014); 25 megawatts (MW) – 5 turbines.
• Virginia Beach, Virginia: Virginia Electric Power through Dominion Power of Richmond; 12 MW – 2 turbines Alstom Power, an international wind turbine manufacturer/equipment service supplier involved with Dominion for this project along with KBR Inc.
• Lake Erie, 7 miles offCleveland,Ohio Coast: Lake Erie Development Corp. of Cleveland,Ohio; 27 MW – 9 turbines expected to be commissioned in 2015; Siemens is among the partners for this project.
• Stamford, Connecticut – (Gulf of Maine off Boothbay Harbor): Statoil North America; 12 MW – 4 turbines.
• Coos Bay, Oregon: Principle Power, Inc. of Seattle,Washington; 30 MW – 5 turbines; this project is proposed to be located 3 miles outside of state jurisdiction and under federal law to avoid any issues with the fishing community.
• Port Isabel, Texas: Baryonx Corporation ofAustin,Texas; 18 MW – 3 turbines; Texas A&M University is the academic partner on this project. Siemens andTexas-based Keppel-Amfels are involved in design along with Offshore Design Engineering of Britain.

By John Licata – Blue Phoenix