Three years ago marked the start of a project that would further lead the U.S. towards its independence from fossil fuels. America’s first-ever offshore wind farm began construction three miles off the coast of Block Island, Rhode Island, naturally called the Block Island Wind Farm.

Last month, the project embarked on its final stage of construction, and it remains on schedule to be fully commissioned for this fall.

Rhode Island’s coast endures blustery winds every season, making this project a “no brainer” and an easy way to utilize the coast’s winds as a renewable resource.

Deepwater Wind partnered with General Electric Renewable Energy (NYSE: GE) to bring this intricate operation to life. It’ll feature the industry’s most innovative offshore wind technology, along with a world-class team of workers and specialists.

Deepwater Wind’s CEO Jeffrey Grybowski said this about the final stage of the project:

We’re ready to bring this historic project across the finish line. This is sure to be a momentous summer—not just for this project, but also for the start of a new American industry.

Hooked up to the grid by the end of 2016, the wind farm could supply 90% of the state with power for the next few years. 

Built to Last

This project hasn’t been the easiest to construct. The huge turbines, connected to the ocean floor, consist of spinning fans that are hundreds of feet tall, and they have to endure the strong currents and winds that embrace the coast. 

If you can imagine, constructing a wind farm to stay as stable and solid as possible has its challenges. The surface area of each blade on the turbines is about the same as a football field. Obviously, a huge amount of thought and energy went into protecting the machinery and electronics of each turbine.

For example, if the level of wind reaches an unacceptable speed, then the machine will stop and go on standby. If the temperature goes below 14 degrees Fahrenheit, the machine will automatically go into hibernation.

The foundation for each turbine is anchored 200 feet under the seafloor, providing the turbines with the stability they’ll need against forceful winds and storms that might threaten them and force them to topple over.

A corrosion-resistant coating on all of the building materials for the turbines is probably one of the most crucial features. They need to be built to last and withstand life at sea, so they can provide reliable energy for the years to come. 

Maybe not the easiest project, but definitely worth the work in the long run. 

The Future for Offshore Wind Farms 

GE and Deepwater Wind aren’t the only companies that are trying to build wind farms off the coast of the U.S. The Department of Energy estimates about 80% of the country’s power demand comes from coastal states, and it has pledged up to $40 million to help coastal city-dwellers get their energy needs from a source that’s a little closer to home.

According to the International Energy Agency, global offshore wind generated an estimated 25 TWh in 2014, which was 20% higher than 2013.

Having wind farms and turbines at sea takes advantage of a better wind source than what’s available from onshore wind turbine sites. Also, offshore turbines can achieve more full-load hours and avoid long transmission lines than onshore sites.

This makes offshore turbines more attractive for coastal countries with land-based resources located far inland, such as China, several European countries, and the U.S. 

The U.S. has prime real estate for offshore wind farms. Right now, New Jersey and Virginia have offshore wind farm projects in development.

And after the construction of the Block Island Wind Farm, Deepwater Wind plans to build a wind farm called Deepwater ONE. This farm will be farther out to sea, and it’ll provide 30 times the power of the Block Island farm.

The West Coast is also working on its own offshore wind projects. The Department of Energy has funded a floating wind farm company in Oregon, and a company called Trident Winds is constructing a wind farm off the coast of California’s Morro Bay, which is projected to supply 20 times the power of the Block Island Wind Farm.

Rhode Island’s governor Gina M. Raimondo had this to say:

Projects like the Block Island Wind Farm are the future not only of Rhode Island’s economy, but the whole country’s economy… With this project, Rhode Island continues to position itself as a leader and an innovator in the industries of the future.

Offshore wind farms will play a huge role in renewable energy in the years to come. The U.S. Energy Information Administration has projected that renewable energy sources will grow from 38% in 2015 to 45% in 2025. And with the help of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan, that statistic will grow even larger.

Until next time,

Jennifer Clark
Pro Trader Today