Seite - 125 - in Water, Energy, and Environment - A Primer

8.4.2.4 Offshorewind Offshorewind (OSW) involves the location ofwind turbines in offshore waters, whether near-shore shallow waters, relatively low-depth waters above continental shelves, or deeper waters further offshore. It draws on a large energy resource and has the potential, when widely deployed, to address two critical needs: the need for new sources of electricity that are renewable, indigenous, and carbon-free, and the need to stimulate economies and create jobs. I believe it to be themost important emerging renewable energy technology. Becauseofthehigherwindspeedsandsteadierwindsoffshore, OSW power plants can produce considerably more electricity than their onshore equivalents – increasing averagewind speed by 15% increases available power by 52%. OSWplants, given their coastal locations, would be in close proximity to large population centerswith high average electricity costs, important Figure8.13 Transportingawind turbineblade (Source:HusonMedia). Renewableenergy 125