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OES Newsletter Editorial |
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During my travel to the Oceans’09 conference in Bremen I was impressed by the number of windmills I saw generating power, especially in the coastal areas of Germany and Denmark. This observation started me thinking about the potential of renewable energy sources such as wind energy. I did a little research on the subject when I got home and discovered that the United States has an abundant potential for generating wind energy, both onshore and offshore. I found a great deal of information at http://ocsenergy.anl.gov/guide/wind/index.cfm. One study by the US Department of Energy found that it would be feasible to have 20% of the country’s electrical capacity powered by wind energy by 2030. Most of the progress in this arena has been concentrated in onshore installations and as a result the cost per kWh of wind generated electricity dropped from about $.40 to $.04 over the last 20 years. Offshore wind energy is still more expensive because there are additional engineering challenges. The point here is that over the next several years wind energy as a technology and an industry will experience significant growth because the cost is reaching levels where it can start to compete with other energy sources. This growth will spawn multiple industries associated with the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the wind generating systems and support
What opportunities do you see around you for advances in ocean related science and industry? Send me your comments, opinions, and experiences so I can share them with the rest of our community. E-mail me at j.gant@ieee.org. Jim Gant |
In this issue you will find coverage of the Oceans ’09 conference that was held in Bremen, Germany in May 2009. The conference was a great success at many levels. You will also find news items about people and committees in the OES that are actively engaged in the work of promoting the art and science of ocean engineering around the globe. You will also see a lot of emphasis on student activities because they represent the future of the OES and we place a great deal of emphasis on encouraging their participation.
equipment as well as the requisite power transmission infrastructure. This growth potential represents an opportunity for scientific research and engineering development that OES members can participate in. The opportunities are defined, to a great extent, by the engineering challenges that currently exist in transitioning the technology from onshore installations to offshore installations. One challenge is the greater complexity in foundations and structures that are required because most of the best locations for offshore wind generators are in water depths greater than 30 meters and must be capable of withstanding greater forces from both wind and waves. The structures now envisioned are more akin to deep water oil platforms than shore based structures. Improvements to anchoring techniques and structures should find a ready market. Another challenge is to efficiently convert, condition, control, and transmit the power from where it is generated to where it is consumed on shore. Various approaches to transmission are being considered including the more traditional methods using transformers and underwater cables as well as alternative methods like using the electricity produced by the wind generator to liberate hydrogen gas from seawater via electrolysis and then transporting the hydrogen gas to shore. Because the wind is intermittent, features must be built into the system to properly regulate the power and handle periods of both low and high generating capacity and balance that variable supply with the variable load of the grid. Many of these features already exist in traditional transmission systems but they can be optimized to the unique environment of offshore wind generation. Another challenge is how to best address the various environmental concerns associated with wind generators. These include:|
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