Offshore wind has evolved to the point where it is a self sustaining and profitable industry in areas of the UK and Europe/Scandinavia where about 5000 or so of them are operating and thousands more going up.How many years to recoup the cost of an assembly this huuuuuge? Or is it tax credits (etc.) that make these things "affordable"?
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American Experiment has been a leader in exposing the fact that wind turbines only last for twenty years, and after that time the turbines must be torn down as part of the decommissioning process. We have also detailed how wind turbine blades cannot be recycled, and must be stored in landfills.
The fact that it is too expensive to dispose of wind turbine blades in a landfill should be front page news, because we’re going to have thousands of blades to get rid of in the near future. In fact, the Energy Information Administration shows Minnesota has some of the oldest wind turbines in the country, meaning this problem will present itself sooner than later.
I'm wondering if the support for that pylon is equal distance under ground to keep that thing standing? The wind forces at times must be immense."Is that a massive pylon in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"
Said nobody........ever.
Inaccurate on some points.....Fiberglas structures are recycled all the time. The turbines used in the offshore farms are designed for a 25 year service life, so that’s close to the 20 referenced in that article.Just saw this:
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Argus Leader: Sioux Falls Landfill Tightens Rules After Minnesota Dumps Dozens of Wind Turbine Blades
American Experiment has been a leader in exposing the fact that wind turbines only last for twenty years, and after that time the turbines must be torn down as part of the decommissioning process. We have also detailed how wind turbine blades cannot be recycled, and must be stored in landfills...www.americanexperiment.org
Two snips:
And:
If the article is correct, then wind turbines are a real environmental problem when their parts (at least, the blades) head off-site for disposal.
Are they? Don't know much about this sector so curious to hear thoughts....
--- End of line (MCP)
Here is a sampling of typical foundations for offshore wind turbines. The loads are indeed large but manageable..obviously.If I may ...
I'm wondering if the support for that pylon is equal distance under ground to keep that thing standing? The wind forces at times must be immense.
Who's minding the store when it comes to these things? Are there patrol boats on the watch 24/7 to make sure some group doesn't come along and blow it all up? I imagine to cripple any power plant in the nation would take some serious fire power. What would it take to knock one of these out? Or replace it afterward?
Learn something new everyday. I'd also image those supports are of significant weight.Here is a sampling of typical foundations for offshore wind turbines. The loads are indeed large but manageable..obviously. View attachment 140522
Learn something new everyday. I'd also image those supports are of significant weight.
Got some research and reading to do then to play catch-up.The latest in "hot" offshore technology are floating turbines. The prototpye farm, HYWIND, off Scotland, has been a success and now countries that do not have coastal shelves are moving out to start offshore wind projects. Portugal, for example, and Spain. Our own west coast states are also looking at floating wind farm options.