This study combines multi-year mesoscale modeling results, validated using offshore buoys with highresolution bathymetry to create a wind energy resource assessment for offshore California (CA). The siting of an offshore wind farm is limited by water depth, with shallow water being generally preferable economically. Acceptable depths for offshore wind farms are divided into three categories: 20...

Offshore winds are generally stronger and more consistent than winds on land, making the offshore environment attractive for wind energy development. A large part of the offshore wind resource is however located in deep water, where floating turbines are the only economical way of harvesting the energy. The design of offshore floating wind turbines relies on the use of modeling tools that can s...

Operation and maintenance play an important role in extracting power from the wind, especially, in offshore wind energy where wind farms are located far off the shore and under harsh weather conditions. Improved operation and maintenance is likely to reduce costs as well as hazard exposure of the employees. Implementation of advanced information technology is thus crucial for operating offshore...

The construction, operation, and removal of offshore wind power facilities have the potential to increase the levels of noise in the surrounding waters. Increased shipping noise can be associated with all phases of the life cycle of wind farms. Pile driving during platform construction can be short-lived but can introduce very high intensity pulses into the ocean. Operational noise, while at a ...

In recent years the amount of electricity produced from wind has grown rapidly. Offshore wind farm is currently seen as a promising solution to satisfy the growing demand for renewable energy source. The main reasons for the rapid development of offshore wind farms includes much better wind resources and smaller environmental impact. However, the current state of the offshore wind farms present...

Offshore wind power provides a valuable source of renewable energy that can help reduce carbon emissions. Technological advances are allowing higher capacity turbines to be installed and in deeper water, but there is still much that is unknown about the effects on the environment. Here we describe the lessons learned based on the recent literature and our experience with assessing impacts of of...

Worldwide growth of offshore renewable energy production will provide marine organisms with new hard substrate for colonization in terms of artificial reefs. The artificial reef effect is important when planning offshore installations since it can create habitat enhancement. Wind power is the most advanced technology within offshore renewable energy sources and there is an urgent need to study ...

Offshore wind power provides a valuable source of renewable energy that can help reduce carbon emissions. Technological advances are allowing higher capacity turbines to be installed and in deeper water, but there is still much that is unknown about the effects on the environment. Here we describe the lessons learned based on the recent literature and our experience with assessing impacts of of...