Some Nations Like Wind Power, Others are not so Enthusiastic

zogger

Thu, 08 May 2008 18:15:48 PDT

Oil rich Norway, wanting to maintain a high energy existence, is "floating" an idea for massive deployment of deepwater offshore wind power. Whereas Japan, with huge energy requirements, is only experiencing a very modest growth in wind power, even though several big industries there manufacture the turbines for export.
.."The "Hywind" project, which includes German Siemens AG's wind-power unit, will test the technology and look for ways to cut operating and maintenance costs for the giant turbines to be located in water depths of up to 700 metres."

ed.z.: Off the wall thought..I wonder if anyone has looked at the possibility of a combined unit that did both wave/current generation combined with above the surface wind power? I mean, as long as you are building and installing some huge gadget out there......why not?

Thu, 08 May 2008 18:42:20 PDT

Fri, 09 May 2008 10:32:23 PDT

I like the Oregon model better- and you could put 50 of them in the anchor lines for a big windtower (basically, the generator is underwater- a spring loaded contraption on the anchorline of the bouy. As the bouy moves up and down on the surface, a permanent magnet moves through a coil, genrating about 100MW of power. Not a whole lot- but think of an acre field of such bouys....)

phred14

Fri, 09 May 2008 08:36:46 PDT

Japan, Inc strikes me as being very financially sensible, though not generally industry-driving. When the financials and industry are in the right place, I think you'll see an incredibly rapid energy change in Japan.