Offshore Wind Energy vs. Onshore Wind Energy

Wind energy is one of the fastest-growing sources of electricity globally, accounting for over 6% of total electricity supply in 2021. Wind turbines, which convert kinetic energy from wind into electrical energy, can be found both onshore and offshore. In this article, we will compare offshore wind energy and onshore wind energy to understand the differences better.

Offshore wind energy

Offshore wind energy refers to wind turbines placed in bodies of water, such as oceans, seas, or lakes. These turbines are mounted on platforms fixed to the seabed or floating in the water, depending on the water depth. Offshore wind turbines can be much larger than onshore ones, reaching up to 15 MW in capacity compared to onshore turbines that usually range between 1-3 MW.

Advantages

• Better wind resources: offshore winds tend to be stronger and more consistent than onshore winds, resulting in a higher amount of electrical generation.

• More space: offshore wind turbines can be much larger than onshore ones and can be placed further apart, resulting in less competition for wind.

• Less impact on landscapes: offshore wind turbines are not visible from land, which makes them less obtrusive than onshore wind turbines.

Disadvantages

• High costs: installing offshore wind turbines is more expensive than onshore ones. They require special foundations and materials for substructures that can withstand the harsh marine environment.

• Difficult to maintain: offshore wind turbines require more maintenance than onshore ones due to their remote location.

• Difficult to transport: transporting the large and heavy components of offshore wind turbines is challenging, which can increase project costs.

Onshore wind energy

Onshore wind energy refers to wind turbines placed on land. These turbines are usually mounted on a tower, with the blades rotating horizontally, capturing the wind energy.

Advantages

• Lower costs: onshore wind turbines are less expensive to install than offshore ones. The cost of installation is about half of the cost of offshore wind turbines.

• Easy to maintain: onshore wind turbines are easily accessible, which makes maintenance simpler and less expensive.

• Easy to transport: onshore wind turbines are lighter and more compact than offshore ones, which makes them easy to transport.

Disadvantages

• Land use conflicts: onshore wind turbines can be noisy and visible, which can cause conflicts with nearby residents and wildlife.

• Limited wind resources: onshore wind turbines are subject to turbulence and wind shear, which lowers their efficiency and generates less electricity.

• Accidents: onshore wind turbines can pose a risk of accidents or incidents, such as bird strikes or fires, which can impact the environment.

Conclusion

Offshore wind energy and onshore wind energy both have advantages and disadvantages. While offshore wind turbines have better wind resources and a smaller impact on landscapes, they are more expensive and difficult to install and maintain. Onshore wind turbines are less expensive and easier to transport and maintain, but they have lower wind resources and could cause conflicts with nearby residents.

Investing in renewable energy sources like wind power is essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. Therefore, choosing the type of wind energy to develop should consider the environmental and social context, the availability of resources, and the financial aspects.

References

1. IEA. (2021). Renewables 2021: Analysis and Forecasts to 2026. https://www.iea.org/reports/renewables-2021

2. Offshore Wind Europe. (2022). Advantages and Disadvantages of Offshore Wind Energy. https://www.offshorewind.biz/support/guide/onshore-vs-offshore-wind/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-offshore-wind-energy/

3. Energy Sage. (2022). Pros and Cons of Onshore Wind Energy. https://www.energysage.com/renewable-energy/wind/wind-pros-and-cons/