A Win for Wind
4 minute read
Two new U.S. large-scale commercial offshore wind projects are moving forward
Offshore wind has incredible benefits including reducing reliance on fossil fuels
Drawbacks of offshore wind can be mitigated with research and new technologies
On May 11 of this year, the federal government approved the United States’ first large-scale commercial off-shore wind farm. Just a few weeks later, the Biden administration came to an agreement with the Department of Defense to identify sites for another off-shore wind farm near the Pacific Coast. These moves will play a crucial role in working toward the administration's goal of generating 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035.
These new projects are an exciting step in the right direction in the fight against the climate crisis. Wind energy is one of the fastest-growing energy sources in the world. The United States has the potential to produce 7,200 terawatt-hours (TWh) of energy from offshore wind, almost twice the amount of energy the country used in 2019.
Benefits of Wind Power
The most obvious and arguably greatest benefit of wind power is that it doesn’t emit greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. In 2019, about 84 percent of the world’s energy came from combusting fossil fuels -- oil, coal, and natural gas. These forms of energy produce significant amounts of air pollution that contribute to climate change, while also harming the health of people and the environment. Increased use of wind power can lessen the world’s reliance on fossil fuels and slow climate change.
Onshore wind farms are an important piece of the transition to carbon-free electricity, but offshore wind farms are more efficient energy producers because of the strength and consistency of winds over the ocean. Turbines placed in an area with 15 mile-per-hour winds will produce 50 percent more energy than those placed in an area with 12 mile-per-hour winds.
Another benefit of offshore wind is its potential for job creation. It is important to move away from fossil fuels while not leaving behind the workers who were employed in the oil and coal industries. Many of those workers can be retrained as wind turbine technicians -- one of the fastest-growing jobs in the United States.
Potential Drawbacks
Just like with every other source of energy, offshore wind has some disadvantages. However, the pros far outweigh the cons, and most of the cons can be mitigated. Birds sometimes collide with turbines, for instance, causing injury or death. But there are ways to reduce bird mortality in relation to turbines, including considering migratory routes before constructing wind projects, using flashing lights instead of continuous ones, and painting the blades in patterns to give a visual warning.
Noise pollution from surveying, construction, and operation of wind turbines poses another concern for wildlife. Marine organisms can become distressed and confused from the sound of construction or the low frequency noise from the turbine blades. However, one company recently announced they developed a technology that can reduce the noise from drilling by 90 to 95 percent. Investment in technologies like this will reduce harm to marine organisms.
Finally, some people, especially those who own coastal property, are concerned about the aesthetics of offshore wind. They argue that turbines “ruin” the natural beauty of the ocean. However, the beauty of turbines is in their function and purpose. They represent progress toward a healthier and safer world for everyone.
“The United States has a goal of generating 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035.”
Image by Unsplash
Conclusion
The potential drawbacks don’t mean we shouldn’t invest in offshore wind. We should analyze the risks and implement solutions that minimize harm and maximize clean energy production.
The Biden administration and many other governments around the world have made promises to reduce emissions in order to slow the rate of climate change. Seeing renewable energy projects like offshore wind farms finally moving forward is a sign of positive change.
