Ocean Wind Becomes The Next Frontier

Offshore Wind Moves Into Energy’s Mainstream

Stanley Reed, February 7, 2017 (NY Times)

“…[O]ffshore wind, once a fringe investment, with limited scope and reliant on government subsidies, is moving into the mainstream [and developers say it is the next New Energy frontier]…Offshore wind has several advantages over land-based renewable energy, whether wind or solar. Turbines can be deployed at sea with fewer complaints than on land, where they are often condemned as eyesores…But the technology had been expensive and heavily dependent on government subsidies, leaving investors wary. That is now changing…Turbines today are bigger, produce much more electricity and are deployed on much larger sites than in the past. The result is more clean power and extra revenue…The number of major players has also expanded, creating more competition. A joint venture of Vestas, the Danish turbine maker, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan, is now competing with Siemens, which had long dominated the market for building offshore turbines. Others, like the American giant General Electric and Chinese manufacturers, are also jumping into the game…Companies are developing specialized vessels and improving installation techniques (taking a cue from the oil industry), cutting construction timetables…” click here for more

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