First offshore Wind mill is the Vindeby which was installed in the year 1991 in Denmark. Since then dramatic technical advancements were taken place. The big offshore wind energy farm as on 2012 is located in United Kingdom which produces 367 MW power called Walney Wind farm. London Array Wind farm is the High capacity wind farm which is expected to produce 630 MW power by this year. More high capacity offshore wind farms are in pipeline.

How Offshore Wind Energy Work

Offshore Wind Turbines Consists Tower, Blades, Rotor & Hub, Drive, Gear box, Generator and Power Converters. The 3D presentation Video on How offshore Wind Turbines Work is available here.

Wind Power Offshore Substations – WIPOS are also built in tapping the offshore wind energy and transforming. This includes a hi tech helipad parking facility at the top of the Substation. Watch the Technology involved here.

The foundations, Cost incurred in setting up a offshore wind turbine and various technical aspects are dealt in the article just read the article in the Journal of the Institute of the Marine Engineers India

Offshore Wind Energy – Pros

Offshore wind energy is the Clean Source of energy. There is no Green House gas emissions involved like in the case of fossil fuels.

Offshore Wind Speeds is high when compared to on shore wind speeds.

Wind velocity is consistent which increases the capacity utilization factor when compared to onshore wind mills.

Offshore Wind Mills Major Concerns

Cost The cost of offshore wind mills turbine is 50% more than the cost of onshore wind turbines.

The Shipping Transport may affect due to the installation of wind farms. Alternate routes for transport are to be identified.

Marine Life & Fishing gets affected.

Energy Transmission Infrastructure is costlier.

Maintenance of this type of offshore wind turbines is difficult. Maintenance crew has to reach the production site in a boat with safety precautions and has to attend the problems.

Global Leaders in Offshore Wind Mill Manufacture

Presently Siemens holds the top rank in implementation of off shore wind energy projects. They manufacture and supply large scale off shore wind turbines. Other Players include Vestas, RE Power systems – Part of Suzlon energy, Areva.

Offshore Wind Energy in India

India’s coastal line consists of 7517 km which gives immense opportunities to trap the off shore wind energy potential. Offshore wind farms can be developed in coastal states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal.

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