Offshore Windpower To Potentially Exceed US Demand

SpuriousLogic writes to mention that a new Interior Department report suggests that wind turbines off US coastlines could supply enough electricity to meet, or exceed, the nation's current demand. While a good portion of this is easily accessible through shallow water sites, the majority of strong wind resources appear to be in deep water which represents a significant technological hurdle. "Salazar told attendees at the 25x'25 Summit in Virginia, a gathering of agriculture and energy representatives exploring ways to cut carbon dioxide emissions, that "we are only beginning to tap the potential" of offshore renewable energy. The report is a step in the Obama administration's mission to chart a course for offshore energy development, an issue that gained urgency last year amid high oil prices and chants of 'Drill, baby, drill' at the Republican National Convention."

Re:Float it

[MyLongNickName]

The obvious problem would be how do you keep it from floating away? I know. We could put an engine on it to counter the push of the wind. The beauty of it is that this engine could be POWERED by the wind.

No, I have never heard of the laws of thermodynamics? Why do you ask?

Re:Floating Cities

[MightyMartian]

I would love to see a future where rich libertarians build floating cities free of the governmental restraints and constraints of the pandering politicians. Live free on the water! No taxes. Everything accomplished by contract. It's like a paradise *sigh*

That is until you're voted off the island.

Yes, please!

[StefanJ]

We can make up for the lost tax revenue by selling them toilet paper at a 1000% mark up.

"the nation's current demand" ... brutal!

[Filter]

That is just awful.

Re:Great Idea!

[Captain Hook]

What, you mean like the million dollar oil rigs which get placed in all sorts of extreme situations?

Re:Makes me wonder about cabling

[Brigadier]

Rush ??? is that you ??

Re:The problem with wind

[KidPix]

Then you get hit by a strong gust, and you're blowing fuses left and right.

Wait, really?

Re:Floating Cities

[Kozz]

It *does* sound like paradise... but do you think we could really get rid of them that easily?

[attn humor-impaired: the preceding was a joke]

Re:Makes me wonder about cabling

[Zordak]

But didn't you watch the excellent, well-researched, highly-factual, non-fear-mongering Jane Fonda documentary "The China Syndrome"? When Three-Mile Island blew up, the nuclear waste melted straight through the earth's core and came out in China, and there was a huge government coverup of the whole thing. Really. Jane Fonda told me so.

None of you brought this up.

[Samschnooks]

With ALL those windmills going, taking the energy out of the wind, eventually, there won't be any more wind. See, the wind hits one set of windmills and slows down; then hits another and slows down further until eventually, no more wind! Then we'll have to set up windmills in the Middle East and we'll be right back to where we are today! It COULD happen!

Re:Unexpected impact?

[rev_sanchez]

I don't consider this a bad thing...

What about when it slows down the earth to the point of being tidally locked with the sun, and you're stuck on the day side?

Then we use solar power on the sunny side to turn the windmills into fans.

Re:Maybe we should test it first?

[Duradin]

When did Canada drop below sea level?

Re:There's wind in them thar.... oceans?

[Haxzaw]

Yes, a weak argument. We might as well live in caves if the terrorists can mess up everything so easily. Wait, they could collapse the caves and we'd truly be screwed. I guess the terrorists have won, I give up.

Re:Makes me wonder about cabling

[Uncle Rummy]

Ok, so now that we've established the reward, what's the risk?

Re:Makes me wonder about cabling

[FooGoo]

Wind causes cancer too. Anyone who has ever gotten cancer has been exposed to it. Not everyone who has gotten cancer has been exposed to the technologies you mentioned. Also, wind enables nuclear and coal power stations to cause more damage. Wind is a scourge and it must be stopped.