Full force: The floating wind farms far out at sea
Harnessing one of nature’s mightiest forces, wind turbines need to be well-placed. And by well-placed, what we actually mean is somewhere really, really windy.
Whether that’s onshore, offshore, or at the highest of heights, the gustier, the better. But for really strong winds, you need to be far out at sea. This poses a problem for offshore turbines, whose foundations only reach down 60 metres. Enter: the floating wind turbine.
With 80% of potential offshore wind found above deeper waters, installing these turbines means more renewable energy can be generated. The world’s first floating wind farm was set up by Equinor in 2017 off the coast of Aberdeenshire. Last year, it had already broken the world record for maximum output.
By opening up huge swathes of ocean to generate electricity, these floating turbines can help speed up the transition from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources. The Global Wind Energy Council has described these turbines as “one of the key game-changers” for the industry.
As with many climate mitigation measures, cost is a challenge. Floating offshore wind farms cost about double that of their fixed offshore counterparts, but they could reach cost parity by 2030. There are also many competing designs out there. There’s the waffle-shaped frame dotted with blades, turbines on cylinders, turbines on triangular semi-submersible platforms, and more.
It’s hard to know which will come out strongest, but when that happens, the energy generating potential is huge.