Offshore Wind Farm Meaning, Locations, Advantages and Disadvantages

The meaning of offshore wind farm is any power plant that is equipped with multiple (wind) turbines for capture and conversion wind energy, in order to generate electricity [2]. This article discusses offshore wind farm meaning, locations, advantages and disadvantages, as outlined below;

-Offshore Wind Farm Locations

-Advantages of Offshore Wind Farms

-Disadvantages of Offshore Wind Farms

-Importance of Offshore Wind Energy Development using Wind Farms

-Conclusion

Offshore Wind Farm Locations

Offshore wind farm locations include; Belgium, China, Denmark, Germany, United Kingdom, and United States.

The table below shows offshore wind farm locations in the world (operational as of 2023), alongside their names and year(s) of commissioning;

The largest wind farm in the world as of 2023 is Hornsea Project Two (or Hornsea 2) wind farm, located in the United Kingdom, with a capacity of approximately 1.39 GW.

Advantages of Offshore Wind Farms

Advantages of offshore wind farms are;

1). Access to large amount of wind energy

2). Minimal environmental impact

3). May be combined with other renewable energy systems like wave converters

4). Relatively simple concept

5). Low maintenance requirement

6). Job creation

Disadvantages of Offshore Wind Farms

Disadvantages of offshore wind farms are;

1). High capital cost

2). Susceptibility to ocean wave damage

3). Effect on marine ecosystems

4). Higher complexity than land-based wind farms

5). More maintenance required than land-based wind farms

Importance of Offshore Wind Energy Development using Wind Farms

The importance of offshore wind energy development is based on its role and prospect toward sustainable development in social, environmental and economic areas [1].

Social importance of offshore wind energy development can be traced to its positive potential toward the quality of life of people in society, through facilitation of innovation, supply of energy, and job creation among others.

Environmental importance of offshore wind energy has to do with its position as a form of renewable and clean energy, so that it is capable of playing a role in the mitigation of unfavorable environmental impacts of electricity generation and energy harnessing activities.

Economic importance of offshore wind energy is based on its ability to support fossil fuels as an energy resource for economic activities, facilitate energy transition, green economy development, decarbonization of the economy, and sustainability of production.

Conclusion

Offshore wind farm means the assemblage of multiple wind turbines to form a single renewable energy system for capturing wind energy in ocean terrains.

Locations of offshore wind farms in the world are; Belgium, China, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, United Kingdom, and United States.

Advantages of offshore wind farms are; access to surplus wind energy, minimal environmental impact, flexibility, simplicity, and role in job creation.

Disadvantages or negative effects of offshore wind farms are; high capital cost, wave damage susceptibility, effect on marine ecosystem and relative complexity.

The importance of offshore wind energy development using wind farms, can be evaluated from the viewpoint of its alignment with many of the social, environmental and economic principles of sustainable development.

References

1). Keivanpour, S.; Ramudin, A.; Kadi, D. A. (2017). "The sustainable worldwide offshore wind energy potential: A systematic review." Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy 9(6):065902. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5009948. (Accessed 6 February 2023).

2). Nikitas, G.; Bhattacharya, S.; Vimalan, N. (2019). "Chapter 16: Wind Energy: in the book Future Energy (3rd Edition): Improved, Sustainable and Clean Options for Our Planet." Future Energy (3rd Edition): Improved, Sustainable and Clean Options for Our Planet. Elsevier. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102886-5.00016-5. (Accessed 5 February 2023).