See:
<http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy10osti/45889.pdf>http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy10osti/45889.pdf
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2010/09/nrel-says-offshore-wind-could-power-the-u-s-four-times-over
This is for the oceans and Great Lakes.
QUOTE:
"The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory
(NREL) announces the release of a new report that assesses the
electricity generating potential of offshore wind resources in the
United States.
According to the Assessment of Offshore Wind Energy Resources for the
United States, 4,150 gigawatts of potential wind turbine nameplate
capacity (maximum turbine capacity) from offshore wind resources are
available in the United States. The estimate does not describe actual
planned offshore wind development, and the report does not consider
that some offshore areas may be excluded from energy development on
the basis of environmental, human use, or technical considerations.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, in 2008 the
nation's total electric generating capacity from all sources was
1,010 gigawatts. . . ."
This is similar to offshore wind resources in the North Sea, that
could produce a lot more power than Northern Europe consumes.
Offshore wind tends to be more steady, strong and reliable than wind
on land. The capacity factor is higher.
- Jed
