First floating wind turbine powers up
The turbines can be anchored to the seabed at depths of up to 700 metres
The world's first full-scale offshore floating wind turbine has begun a two-year test period off Norway's coast.
Hywind, which was constructed by Norwegian energy giant StatoilHydro and Siemens, is due to run as a pilot for a plan that could one day see renewable energy created by vast farms that can be established in water depths of up to 700 metres.
The turbine has a rotor diameter of more than 80 metres and is anchored to the seabed by wire, as opposed to conventional offshore turbines which are built into the ocean floor.
Albert Goller, Siemens chairman and managing director, said the Hywind turbine opens up "a new world of opportunities" for offshore wind power as the turbines could be placed much more freely than before.
"Because the turbine is constructed on a floating structure, the high costs associated with foundation works for fixed turbines at depths of more than 30-50 metres are eliminated," he explained.
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Siemens estimates that by 2030, roughly 40% of worldwide investments in the power plant market will go into developing renewable energy sources.
Oxford recently became the first city in England to announce plans to build a commercial-scale windfarm on council land and hopes to submit an application by 2011.
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Comments
Hi,
Could you advise, the A to Z procedure relating to the installation of a Wind Turbine on my own land?
I would appreciate any advise on this subject.
My thanks to you.
Brian Fairley.