Comments on: Floating Wind Turbines Get Lift from UK & US Partnership

By: University of Barcelona’s NEW wind prospecting balloon - CleanTechnica

University of Barcelona’s NEW wind prospecting balloon - CleanTechnica — Thu, 31 May 2012 11:52:36 +0000

[…] add to the overall cost. In deeper water, foundations to the ocean bottom are not practical and floating platforms are considered an attractive alternative. The University of Barcelona is also considering a cheaper […]

By: Precious Metals from Nautilus Minerals: a New Frontier - CleanTechnica

Precious Metals from Nautilus Minerals: a New Frontier - CleanTechnica — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:16:44 +0000

[…] power for the operations will be provided by conventional means, but we can anticipate a time when floating wind turbines or OTEC may be moved to a site and provide power for the operation. This may cut power costs and be […]

By: RobS

RobS — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 01:06:00 +0000

Ah I see, you were talking about pylon based near shore systems vs floating deepwater, I agree in that comparison the cost differential is much smaller but the political benefits of positioning further offshore and even completely out of sight of land is huge.
As far as cost it is a no brainer, economies of scale and new tech R&D are seeing steady price declines, whilst international markets and increasing awareness of the cost of externalities are seeing steady rises in costs of fossil fuel alternatives, it’s the old man A leaves Las Vegas heading west at 80mph and Man B leaves LA heading east at 75 mph scenario, it’s not a matter of if the two meet but when.

By: Zachary Shahan

Zachary Shahan — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:06:00 +0000

Oh, i see where the confusion is. The “difficult-to-construct foundations” referenced in the article were *offshore* wind turbine foundations, not onshore foundations. Certainly, offshore wind is still more expensive than onshore wind. Whether or not they can get the offshore costs down enough to produce a net benefit from the strong, steady winds is yet to be seen. But i’m hopeful.

By: Smithersrob

Smithersrob — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 23:42:00 +0000

I’m not saying offshore wind has no future I think it has a big one, I just think it’s a simple fact that any system to moor, keep upright and keep floating a turbine in deep water will always add a layer of complexity that doesn’t exist onshore. Add to that the device has to survive and be maintained in the marine environment where access for maintenance is also more difficult.

If you disagree could you explain what it is about land based turbine foundations that are expensive or difficult to construct? And if offshore wind installations are cheaper why do the US and UK consistently report LCoE’s for offshore wind 2-2.5 times onshore wind?

By: Zachary Shahan

Zachary Shahan — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:25:00 +0000

we’ll have to diverge on this one and, of course, see what they can come up with.

By: 김민우

김민우 — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:20:00 +0000

As you know, they have to reduce the vibration to install Floating Wind Turbines on the sea. Because, it makes many kinds of problems! The vibration’s caused by wind, waves and external forces. New Floating Body Stabilizer for Floating Wind Turbines has been created in South Korea. The Floating Body Stabilizers generate drag force immediately when Floating Wind Turbines are being rolled and pitched on the water. Recently, this Floating Body Stabilizer’s using to reduce the Vibration of Floating Solar Panels in South Korea. You can see New Floating Body Stabilizer videos in YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moO–q5B92k, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA_xFp5ktbU&feature=youtu.be. Anyways, very interesting. Thanks.

By: Robs

Robs — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:09:00 +0000

“Additionally, removing the need for expensive, difficult-to-construct foundations could potentially save a lot of money”

Zachary as you know I’m a clean energy enthusiast but even I have to challenge that one. No one can seriously think that a pad of concrete will ever be more complicated or expensive then any of the possible methods of mooring, keeping afloat and keeping upright a wind turbine offshore