What is the Most Efficient Way of Generating Electricity?

Recently in the news, there popped up a story about producing energy in a different kind of way. This energy would be produced offshore using the big white windmills we see around here. I found the story to be interesting, so I decided to look into it. 

There are some advantages to making these offshore grids like wind conditions. In the ocean or seas, the wind stays at a steadier wind speed of 12-15 miles per hour. The steadier the wind speed, the better the power output. Instead of having poor wind speeds some days, it would stay more consistent. Also, another advantage would be having closer energy to coastal cities. Coastal cities need more energy because close to half of the population live in coastal cities. It would cut the distance that the energy has to travel by quite a bit. Also, putting the windmills into the ocean would clean up space for other things on land. Lastly, the windmills produce clean energy 

However, with the advantages comes the disadvantages. One major disadvantage to offshore windmills is that the windmills can only be in water that is 200 ft deep or less. Engineers are starting to build ones that are semi-flotatious, which would help solve that problem. Secondly, another major problem would be the cost for the underwater power cables. This problem doesn’t have a definite solution, so there probably isn’t a way to get around it. Thirdly, severe weather like heavy winds or big waves can damage the wind turbines. Storms like hurricanes would prove to be a huge blockade for the power grid.


I think that investing more into offshore wind turbines would be very effective for raising electricity output. However, The dangers of hurricanes and heavy waves are there. I think that engineers would have to put these wind turbines in areas of low hurricane activity. I believe that having renewable energy sources are very important and would be more future proof than burning fossil fuels.


Have you ever heard of offshore wind turbines?

 

Do you think the advantages or disadvantages are greater? Why or why not?

 

https://www.americangeosciences.org/critical-issues/faq/what-are-advantages-and-disadvantages-offshore-wind-farms 

 

https://www.nationalgrid.com/stories/energy-explained/what-offshore-wind-power 

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  • Well not sure why so people commented as I think it's a good topic and your summary is well done! I won't take off for not commenting to the ones posted late last night.

  • I think this is definitely a possible solution for natural energy, however there are some things to worry about with these windmills too. Building these windmills could possibly leave some liter in the ocean. Building these windmills would also require them to burn a lot of fossil fuels. I think the disadvantage may be greater until they really fine tune the process of making them, so we don't pollute while building them.

  • I personally believe that teh offshore turbines are a good start to getting energy in a natural cause. I also think that they are cool. I also feel like people are starting to move away from the fossil fuel problem and are starting to see the true advantage of using natural energy.

  • I have heard of offshore turbines and I think they are very cool. I think that they will help, especially in the future, with getting energy in a more natural way. I feel like fossil fuel burning is starting to become less popular, and cleaner energy sources are starting to become more prevalent. I think that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. I also think that engineers will be able to figure out the weather and powerline parts. 

    • I agree, I think that they are cool. I would've never thought about it if I didn't hear about it. Having more clean energy sources would be better for the earth. I agree with your opinion on the advantages outweighing the disadvantages. It would provide more good.

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