Vertical-axis Wind Turbines could Revolutionize Offshore Wind Power

The world's first offshore wind farm was installed in 1991 off the coast of Vindeby on the Danish island of Lolland. It included 11 turbines with a capacity of 450 kW each, and the project cost 10 million euros. At the time, offshore turbines were considered ludicrous by the electric power industry as they had to operate in salty conditions and have much less power than central power plants. The skepticism changed 6 years later as offshore wind powers produced more energy than land winds. The wind farm produced a total of 243 GWh over 25 years of operation and was decommissioned in 2017 for economic reasons. What has changed since then? Why are we still not making the most of offshore wind? And how can innovative vertical-axis wind turbines make a difference? What are the benefits of offshore wind energy? The wind in the sea is stronger and more constant – it gives more energy on a stable basis. Wherein the wind speed increases the amount of energy non-linearly – you will get it twice as much if the wind starts blowing at a speed of not 20, but 25 km/h. An offshore windmill may operate for up to 50%–60% of the time, compared to only 35% along the coast and even less on the continent.