Posted by Jonathan Adler:
Lake Erie Wind Farm:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_01_07-2007_01_13.shtml#1168620842
There is [1]increasing interest in a potential offshore wind farm in
Lake Erie. While there are sea-based wind turbines in Europe,
proposals for such projects of the U.S. coast have been blocked, often
by the same folks who call for greater investments in alternative
energy sources (see, e.g., the [2]ill-fated Cape Wind project off of
Massachusetts). As a result, a Lake Erie wind project has the
potential both to be the first offland wind project in the U.S., as
well as the first fresh water wind project in the world. All offshore
wind projects to date have been built in salt water.
In my conversations from local wind energy experts, I've learned that
a fresh water wind farm might present unique design challenges.
Constructing ocean-based wind turbines is rather easy, in large part
because constructing ocean-based platforms is nothing new. Engineers
know how to address the problems caused by currents, corrosion, and
inclement weather. In fresh water, however, the potential problems are
different. As the shallowest of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie's depth is
a definite plus from a construciton standpoint. On the other hand, the
surface of Lake Erie can freeze. Also, as I understand it, drifting
ice on the surface can build up substantial momentum, and present
different problems than ocean waves. As reported in the story to which
I linked above:
Engineering challenges include anchoring towers in a lake that's 50
to 60 feet deep. The towers would stretch 240 feet or more above
the water and hold rotating blades that, tip to tip, are longer
than a football field. The towers must withstand waves and winter
ice.
But encountering the difficulties would generate unique research
and development, potentially making the region a hub for off-shore
wind power, said Richard Stuebi, the Cleveland Foundation's energy
expert.
If VC readers know more about this subject, I would be interested to
learn their perspectives on the engineering challenges of such a
project, and how they might be overcome.
References
1.
http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1168594872278740.xml&coll=2
2. http://www.capewind.org/
_______________________________________________
Volokh mailing list
[email protected]
http://lists.powerblogs.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volokh
