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Offshore Windpower To Potentially Exceed US Demand
SpuriousLogic writes to mention that a new Interior Department report suggests that wind turbines off US coastlines could supply enough electricity to meet, or exceed, the nation's current demand. While a good portion of this is easily accessible through shallow water sites, the majority of strong wind resources appear to be in deep water which represents a significant technological hurdle. "Salazar told attendees at the 25x'25 Summit in Virginia, a gathering of agriculture and energy representatives exploring ways to cut carbon dioxide emissions, that "we are only beginning to tap the potential" of offshore renewable energy. The report is a step in the Obama administration's mission to chart a course for offshore energy development, an issue that gained urgency last year amid high oil prices and chants of 'Drill, baby, drill' at the Republican National Convention."
Huh.
Large valuable floating masses of copper and other metals in international waters. Either lightly guarded-- or a large ongoing cost for security.
A critical part of the nations electrical generation in international waters.
Makes sense to me!
What could go wrong?
She was like chocolate when she drank... semi-sweet at first and then increasingly bitter.
So ... how exactly are we going to overcome the whole "International Waters" problem? Specifically, the areas with the largest amount of wind power are the same areas that the United States, China, and Russia could all conceivably lay claim to.