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."

Comments

Re:Makes me wonder about cabling

[GPLDAN]

Republican much?

Long distance transport?

[greenlead]

How are they going to get the power from the windmills to the distribution point? High voltage lines lose a percentage of the power as heat. That heat would be radiated into the ocean. Global warming fanatics ought to be up in arms about this.

Re:Makes me wonder about cabling

[Archangel Michael]

Actually, it was probably one of the NIMBY Kennedy's who opposed such a thing because it obstructed their view off Hyannis Port