Offshore wind energy harvested from wind turbines has proven to be a reliable energy source in regions such as Europe, where they highly utilize it. While offshore wind energy has been operational for decades now, it is rapidly growing in popularity. Many countries, including the United States, have future projects of offshore wind energy harvesting. Below are some insightful facts you need to learn about the offshore wind energy technologies. 

Wind energy has to be converted to electricity.

Most of us only see the offshore wind turbines at sea and assume all they do is generate electricity. The wind turbine blades are connected to a drive shaft, which converts the physical energy into electricity via a shaft generator. The wind turbines are usually strategically placed in the sea to take advantage of the high and speedy winds, translating to more energy.

Larger wind turbines can be beneficial.

Naturally, offshore wind turbines are large, but they are getting larger. They are transported to the sea through ships and barges. That enables the engineers to construct giant wind turbines that can generate more electricity. Working at sea presents its share of challenges, such as using heavy machinery like a leveling tool, heavy cranes and excavators, etc. But, after the turbines are set up, energy generation is continuous. The use of handling equipment also makes the work easier. 

Wind turbines can be taller than you think.

Surprisingly, the wind turbines you see are at an average height. They can be taller than that. That is to utilize more uninterrupted wind speeds at high levels. Engineers can scale up the wind turbines up to more than the Washington monument’s height, with the blades getting larger up to the length of a football pitch.

The US is expected to implement offshore wind energy projects.

There have been offshore wind energy projects underway in the US Department of Energy. The ministry works closely with the industry to research and address challenges unique to the US offshore wind energy generation, such as hurricanes. That’s in efforts to ensure the environmental impacts, logistical challenges, permission and installations, infrastructure, and other factors related to offshore energy technology are well addressed before anything else.

Offshore wind turbines utilize undersea electricity cables.

You may be wondering how the wind turbines can transmit electricity to the land through the water without any harm. The wind turbines use undersea cables buried in the seafloor to transmit electricity. It then connects to the electricity channel centers, which then prioritize where the electricity goes. Then, they channel it to the electricity grid that distributes it to businesses, homes, and other institutions.

Some offshore wind turbines can float.

Many companies have been putting more effort into making wind turbines more sustainable, hence developing floating wind turbines. They are useful in deep waters and are an innovative technology when it comes to offshore wind turbines.

We need offshore wind energy now more than ever.

Offshore wind energy is renewable and reliable. Today, there is more technology that facilitates almost everything; hence power needs are increasing each day. Offshore wind energy is an excellent way to supplement other energy sources and help in the growth of technology.

conclusion

Offshore wind energy technology is developing, and many countries are gradually adopting it to help meet their energy needs.