For many years, wind turbines at sea have been producing significant quantities of electricity for a large range of countries across the globe.With the construction of on-shore wind turbines on the rise, should we be looking into the construction of more off-shore wind farms?
Coastal wind energy is usually much more reliable and of a greater force than in land wind energy.
This coastal energy is far greater due to the open spaces the wind is able to use. The sea is flat, until you come to land, this gives wind energy a large open, clear path, where it can gain energy before hitting a land mass.
Have you ever noticed how hurricanes lose their energy once they reach land mass?
This is an extreme example, but it helps to illustrate the effect that a land mass has on the force of the wind.
The wind we receive as a result of our weather patterns is one of the most powerful natural energy sources on our planet.
Off-shore wind turbines usually generate more energy than on-shore turbines, however, this isn't true in every scenario.
Wind turbines constructed on land can generate just as much energy as off-shore wind turbines. The deciding factor on a turbines efficiency lies in the placement of the turbine.
Coastal wind turbines are the preferred option, yet the costs involved in constructing a turbine out at sea are far greater than building a turbine on land. There are also many dangers associated with off-shore construction.
Wind turbine developments on land are quite commonly met with anger from local residents.
This is primarily down to the "NIMBY" factor, which for those of you who don't know, is a term for the phrase "not in my backyard".
Most people love the idea of receiving their energy from a natural energy source, yet how many of those people would like a wind turbine overlooking their home?