Offshore wind farm is a viable solution. But will it trump in 2017?
With the United States using about 18% of the world’s total energy consumption, it’s just right that the country is exploring options to provide power to its consumers. While majority of its energy still comes from fossil fuels, the U.S. is taking steps in forwarding the use of renewable energy. And one of that is through wind farms.
A developer of offshore turbines called Deepwater Wind has teamed up with General Electric (GE) in installing 5 massive wind turbines in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, 30 miles off the coast of Rhode Island. Called the Block Island Wind Farm, it is the first offshore wind farm in North America.
Offshore wind farm (Source: Deepwater Wind/GE)
Offshore wind farm (Source: Deepwater Wind/GE)
Offshore wind farm (Source: Deepwater Wind/GE)
Eric Crucerey, the project manager of the Block Island Wind Farm, said that the turbines will generate 30 megawatts of energy – just the right amount to power every home on Block Island. He said the farm will emit about 40,000 fewer tons of greenhouse gases per year compared to fossil fuels, which is equivalent to 150,000 cars taken off the road.
Both companies have installed the turbines, which are twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty.
