Wind on the Waves: Floating Wind Power Becoming a Reality

Dec. 11, 2017

It may seem like something out of a science fiction story, but researchers and engineers are finding ways to create platforms that float while giving top-heavy wind turbines enough stability to operate effectively. Tethered to the sea floor, floating foundations allow wind turbines to operate in areas where water depths may be greater than 165 feet. Floating foundation technologies make offshore wind feasible in locations, including California (where nearly 95% of the available offshore wind resource has a depth greater than 60 meters), Hawaii, and Maine. This blog is part of a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) series that explores offshore wind technical challenges that are different in the United States than in other countries.

In related news, Principle Power and Redwood Coast Energy Authority signed a memorandum of understanding for the development of a floating wind project offshore Humboldt County, California. According to a 2016 report by the DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the greatest potential for renewable electricity generation in the area is deep water offshore wind. According to the report, if Humboldt’s capacity were fully developed, it could supply 20 times the total electricity consumption of Humboldt County. Humboldt’s most promising sites for offshore wind development are approximately 15 to 20 miles offshore in deep water, so the turbines would be mounted on floating platforms.