After successfully launching numerous onshore projects, the U.S. wind industry is looking into utilizing its offshore energy potential. But issues with money, politics, transportation, and other schematics, this is easier said than done. “It’s taking its time,” as Sara Mallo of Rotor Clip puts it. The company has been part of the offshore industry in Europe and says the market is catching on slowly in the U.S. as well.
Some companies are already looking ahead, sharing their thoughts and plans at the AWEA 2010 North American Offshore Wind Conference in Atlantic City. For one, Gamesa will launch their G11X, a 5-MW offshore turbine in 2013, a progression of their G10X onshore turbine.
REpower is also planning to lunch their MM100, 1.8-MW offshore turbine exclusively for the North American market. The company also shows off their 6M offshore turbine of 6.15-MW.
The offshore wind market is not exclusive to turbine manufactures, many of the attendees and exhibitors’ interests lie within the component manufacturers, turn-key energy consultants, site selection tool providers, and federal, state, and local economic and energy development departments.
The buzz is there’s a great opportunity for offshore wind development, even though it is yet to reach its infancy. By this time next year, while the turbines off the coast of Cape Cod or in the freshwaters of Lake Erie begin to generate energy, offshore projects should be in development throughout North America.
Filed Under: Turbines
