Comments on: Germany, Denmark’s Renewable Energy Transition Empowering Offshore Wind (Part of Largest Infrastructure Investment Program in Europe Since World War II)

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:37:00 +0000

I’m sure you realize that we’re creating environment and sanctuary with turbine footings.

Installing the concrete piers does cause some environmental disruption but once in they serve as artificial reefs, allowing many organisms a place to attach and this, in turn creates a food source for other organisms. A fairly bare sea floor is turned into a much more productive space while very little of the sea floor, itself, is changed.

(The rule of thumb with onshore wind is that 2% of the farm area is used for turbine footings. The other 98% remains for original use.)

Additionally, these wind farm areas will not be scrubbed clean with drag nets and will not see the sort of industrial scale fishing that is wiping out so much of our ocean life. Drift nets and long line fishing isn’t going to be happening among wind towers.

If the wind farm is of adequate size it could serve as refuge and nursery for species being heavily impacted by commercial fishing.

Perhaps you could take a look at the size of these offshore wind farms and give us your assessment of how well they might work compared to some of the no-fish areas we’ve established around the world in order to support sea life?

Perhaps we should consider doing additional ‘artificial reef’ work in between the towers? Create a thriving community to replace some of what we are destroying by burning fossil fuels?

I’d like to hear from a marine biologist, get their input as to how, if possible, we turn offshore wind farms into something very positive for the sea. (In addition to reducing the CO2 that is acidifying and heating our oceans.)

By: StephanieS

StephanieS — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 07:56:00 +0000

My only worry from a marine biologists perspective is that, after wrecking so many land based ecosystems, we are now looking at destroying our oceanic ecosystems. Offshore habitats are already fragile and by changing the underwater environments we threaten marine species that live there. I have conducted environmental impact assessments in the past that are so-called essential in the planning consideration process of such undertakings as offshore windfarms, but despite the drastic implications detailed in these reports, nothing was actually considered.

I do understand that we need to find more ways of generating renewable energy, but in the process there are so many animals that could die because of it. It’s just a shame that no one seems to care.

By: Denmark Aims for 50% of Electricity from Wind by 2020 - CleanTechnica

Denmark Aims for 50% of Electricity from Wind by 2020 - CleanTechnica — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:24:48 +0000

[…] As already reported on CleanTechnica, Denmark recently approved the construction of two large wind farms at Kriegers Flak and Horns Rev. […]

By: Mike Straub

Mike Straub — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:25:00 +0000

As populations grow, and fossil fuels cost rise, turning to the oceans as an energy source will prove more and more important. And no, this is not about drilling underneath the water, it’s about using what’s naturally available too us. Wind, waves, and temperature. No more looking to the seas to see oil tankers delivering energy fuels, instead lets tap into what we’ve got locally. It won’t solve all our energy needs right away, but it’s a step in the right direction.

To learn more about using the temperature difference in shallow and deep water to create power, and clean water, check out The On Project.

http://www.theonproject.org/?utm_source=cleantechnica&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=mscomment