Off Shore Wind Power: A Promising and Scalable Future Electricity Source

Abstract

Existing statistical data on the sources of global electricity generation show that the world has been very slow to adopt renewable sources of electricity generation to replace our over reliance on fossils for such generation. Most modeling agrees that over the next 30 years, global demand for electricity will at least double meaning there is a requirement to bring an additional 3 TW of electrical generation on line. Ideally these new forms of electricity generation should be renewable and sustainable. It is in that context where we examine the feasibility of OFF shore wind and its capability of delivering this required 3 TW. On balance, there is reason to be optimistic in this approach. This optimism is largely based on the relatively rapid deployment of OFF wind facilities, primarily lead by the UK beginning in 2013 with the completion of the London Array. In addition, OFF shore deployment in 2013 used individual 3.6 MW turbines whereas by 2023, 12 MW turbines will likely become the unit turbine per OFF shore array, This is a significant increase in the scalability of this technology and a global commitment to eventually produce and install 10,000 12 MW turbines on an annual basis will reach the target goal of 3 TW. Here, we examine various logistical and material limitations that could possibly hinder the deployment of OFF shore arrays and conclude such potential obstacles can be overcome, although innovative transport and assembly infrastructure will be needed for the 107-m long blades that comprise a 12 MW turbine. The relatively high capacity factor of OFF shore windfarms (40–50%) favors this technology over solar PV which has a much lower capacity factor. Furthermore, nuclear power has a history of relatively slow build out and it’s very unlikely that this build out could be ramped up so that nuclear is a significant component of the required 3 TW; but in fact, since this can all be achieved through OFF shore wind, there is no real need for that alternative. As such, OFF shore wind production has a very bright future ahead of it and this should guide the necessary worldwide investment needed to help bring a new era of sustainability to the planet.