Offshore Wind Farms

night0wl · #1 (**permalink**) 05-03-2010

First...let me start off with this:

Now, I'm a HUGE proponent of wind energy...have a wind-gen for Jendai myself (gotta mount it, next project on the list).

But this seriously gives me the heebie-jeebies. Bad enough for the gulf sailors to have to avoid oil derricks spread out across the gulf...but now New Englanders are going to have to deal with this! Imagine having to go around or weaving through if you're caught in a storm.

Not to mention the collision risk on long offshore passages where the crew is exhausted and not keeping good watch.

Net net, I think this is a win...but for us sailors, this may be one more thing to be wary of (and sued for if we make a human

Hesper · #2 (**permalink**) 05-03-2010

I hear ya, but there are worse things out there. The fish traps off the Sakonnet River in RI caught me completely unawares on my delivery trip. You couldn't see them until you're pretty close and I stared at them for a long time before figuring out what they were. At least you can see the windmills.

Take another look at the photo. In the overall scheme of things, they take up a very small area. Also a damned sight better than the LNG terminal they wanted to put in the middle of Long Island Sound.

kd3pc · #3 (**permalink**) 05-03-2010

at least they don't foul the water when they fail...

here on the chesapeake, pound net poles are everywhere, across channels, etc.

If they are truly efficient power makers, and don't pollute....

dave

sailingfool · #4 (**permalink**) 05-03-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by night0wl

...! Imagine having to go around or weaving through if you're caught in a storm.

Not to mention the collision risk on long offshore passages where the crew is exhausted and not keeping good watch. ...

I don't think there's much need for these worries.

These windmills in Natucket Sound are going to be in MLW of 1-6 feet or so, so there shouldn't be too many sailboats dodging amongst the towers. Plus any drowsy sailors arn't likely to hit the towers due to all the other treacherous shallows fetching them up them before they reach Horsehoe Shoal.

In the panoply of the many heart-stopping marine hazzards in Nantucket Sound, these towers don't have a shot at breaking the top ten.

PS - the "pipe" by can "WR" is the remains of a sunken yacht...

AdamLein · #5 (**permalink**) 05-03-2010

What happens when they explode and spread millions of gallons of fresh air all over the place? Who will pay for cleaning that up? The taxpayers, that's who.

Plumbean · #6 (**permalink**) 05-03-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamLein

What happens when they explode and spread millions of gallons of fresh air all over the place? Who will pay for cleaning that up? The taxpayers, that's who.

The best response I've heard yet . . .

jarcher · #7 (**permalink**) 05-03-2010

They really do spoil a beautiful view, make a lot of noise and generate a relatively low amount of power compared to a nuke plant.

AdamLein · #8 (**permalink**) 05-03-2010

I'm not sure I agree with the view-spoiling part... I've always found the ones littering the California countryside to have a sort of serene mystique to them. Sort of like a modern version of the moai of Easter Island, all facing the same direction, standing vigilant over the wastes...

As for the noise, how far away can you hear them?

As for inefficiency, I think that's the biggest strike against them. How much time does it take to generate the energy you could have purchased for the price of construction and maintenance? By some estimates, it might be forever.

Minnewaska · #9 (**permalink**) 05-04-2010

I don't mind the sight of the turbines, they are like Modern Marvels.

However, the economics are highly suspect and they seem like a huge monument to the green movement, rather than a wise use of taxpayer funds to solve the core problem. We need clean, efficient, low cost energy to sustain the expansion of humans on this planet. We are absorbing power at an exponential rate to population growth and, unless you vote to halt technology in place or progress in undeveloped countries, we will continue to do so. One out of three is a loser.

That said, I do not think they will be a navigation problem.

jcalvinmarks · #10 (**permalink**) 05-04-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamLein

What happens when they explode and spread millions of gallons of fresh air all over the place? Who will pay for cleaning that up? The taxpayers, that's who.

Agreed, but lest anyone think these things are 100% safe, have a peek at this:

YouTube - Windmill/turbine going wild and finally break

I'm all for alternative energy, if it works. But I suspect if it was really a viable option for producing energy, someone would have started this process without having the Federal government strong arm their way into it.