Offshore wind power seems to make sense. As the oceancurrent comes to the shore it brings wind with it. So turbines being place offshore to turn that wind into energy also seems to make sense.It makes sense in the east where states from North Carolina to Maine “are working on plans for offshore wind power.” According to experts out west, the main problem is topography. Whereas the East Cost has a long continental shelf, the West Coast drops off sharply just beyond the line, making it difficult to establish turbines.
As Kate Galbraith wrties for the New York Times’ Green Inc., another problem is power prices. The cost of electricity in California is about average, but this makes offshore wind projects less economical. Because there are large expanse of land on the West Coast that hasn’t been developed, these areas might be targeted for turbines before the coats. Additionally, projects off California do have to take into consideration earth quakes and other potential natural disasters.
Still, one West Coast project is moving forward in British Columbia, and there are still hopes for California. “David Olsen, coordinator of the California Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative, said the West Coast could eventually benefit from improving technology.
To read the Green Inc post click here.
Posted: 10/09/09
