CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sep 19, 2006 -- UPI

 

U.S. scientists say it might be possible to build 400 huge far-offshore wind turbines to power several hundred thousand onshore homes.

The scientists say that would be possible by using platforms to float the turbines 100 miles out to sea, where winds are strong and steady, yet the turbines could not been seen from shore.

Today's offshore wind turbines usually stand on towers driven deep into the ocean floor. But that works only in water depths of about 50 feet or less. Proposed installations are therefore typically close enough to shore to arouse strong public opposition.

The idea of placing windmills on floaters and moving them far offshore came from Massachusetts Institute of Technology Professor Paul Sclavounos. He estimates building and installing his floating support system should cost one-third as much as the type of truss towers now planned for deep-water installations.

Another advantage would be the ability to move the wind turbines, he said, noting that if a company serving the Boston area needed more power for New York, it could unhook some of the floating turbines and tow them south.

The research is supported by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

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