Wind farms can be built offshore (out at sea). There is more wind energy at sea than there is on land. The electricity the farms produce is sent back to the land along underwater cables.

 

 

 

 

 

 

These homes use electricity generated by offshore wind power.

One of the most reliable places for wind is at sea. There are few obstacles at sea so the wind is smoother and less turbulent than on land. The first offshore wind farm in the USA could begin generating electricity in 2009. It is called the Cape Wind Project. If it is built, it will be located in Nantucket Sound off Cape Cod in Massachusetts.

 

 

 

 

Offshore wind farms are built using special equipment.

Calm weather is needed to build offshore wind farms. Only shallow coastal waters are suitable for offshore wind farms. In the future, floating and deeper-water wind farms may become possible.

  1. Radar is used to help decide where to position the steel piles.
  2. The steel piles are driven into the sea bed to support the turbine. The piles are coated with specialized resins and paint to stop them rusting, and painted brightly so that ships can easily see them.
  3. The nacelle and rotor blades are placed on top of the steel piles.
  4. The turbine is linked by underwater cables to an offshore transformer.

Divers are used to install the cables. A cable carries the electricity from the transformer back to shore.