European offshore wind industry taking off | 35 comments (35 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: France does not believe in offshore wind (yet) (4.00 / 2)

Is that true of the Mediterranean as well (though clearly the wind resource in the Mediterranean pales in comparison with that in the Atlantic).

En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jan 18th, 2010 at 08:48:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Mediteranean (none / 1)

nresources are obviously not relevant to be represented on the main offshore wind map...

http://www.wind-eole.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Downloads/Offshore/European_Offshore_Wind_Map_2009.pd f (larg-ish pdf)

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (etg@eurotrib.com) on Mon Jan 18th, 2010 at 09:29:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mediteranean (4.00 / 4)

Actually, ther wind resource is rather good in the French Mediteranean:

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (etg@eurotrib.com) on Mon Jan 18th, 2010 at 09:32:55 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mediteranean (none / 1)

Yes, but the ocean floor doesn't help. On the Atlantic it would, though.

En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jan 18th, 2010 at 09:37:22 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mediteranean (none / 1)

That would be thanks to the Mistral and Tramontane.
I have lived near Marseille a couple of years back: it is a windy country.

by Bernard (bernard) on Mon Jan 18th, 2010 at 12:06:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mediteranean (none / 0)

I did too, and it makes me wonder if there is such a thing for this as too much windstrength.

When it blows hard, I can't imagine a 80km/h windgust is exploitable. But, maybe it s...

The Hun is always either at your throat or at your feet. Winston Churchill

by r------ on Mon Jan 18th, 2010 at 04:16:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mediteranean (none / 0)

The wind resource is great. The difficulty onshore is to find locations that don't disturb people, and offshore to find somewhere not too deep and not to close to shore.

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (etg@eurotrib.com) on Mon Jan 18th, 2010 at 04:30:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: France does not believe in offshore wind (yet) (none / 1)

In fact it looks like the French Atlantic coast should support offshore wind just like the North Sea, unlike the Mediterranean basis or, curiously, the Iberian Peninsula's Atlantic coast.

(source: US Geological Service bathymetry map for Europe)

En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jan 18th, 2010 at 09:34:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Better data? (4.00 / 2)

I'm still looking for a better map, because there's a rather big difference for offshore wind between 20-40m depths and 50-100m depths...

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (etg@eurotrib.com) on Mon Jan 18th, 2010 at 09:55:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Better data? (4.00 / 2)

Google is my friend. Let's see...

From ifremer.fr:
*Morpho-bathymétrie de la Méditerranée Occidentale

*North-East Atlantic

From PlanetaryVisions.com.

From JustMagic.com: Google Ocean - LOL

En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jan 18th, 2010 at 10:09:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Better data? (none / 1)

That's still a 100m resolution.

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Mon Jan 18th, 2010 at 10:18:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Better data? (none / 0)

I think that's it for quick google searches for public domain data. I don't know whether this is any better.

En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jan 18th, 2010 at 10:21:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Better data? (none / 1)

Here is a 10m-resolution map of the Mediterranean coast of France. Doesn't seem good: a rather steady fall to about 100m depth right from the shore, no plateaus higher than -100m. So off-shore wind would be possible only in the nearest band beyond the shore.

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Mon Jan 18th, 2010 at 01:51:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Better data? (4.00 / 6)

This map is a perfect example of why offshore wind is such a good fit for the North and Baltic Seas. The largest pool table in the world.

While the US has three very long coasts, much of it is similar to this section of France, and is the reason why current offshore wind may be limited there. The difference is the US has a Saudi Arabia worth of undeveloped onshore, even if that entails significant transmission cabling and costs.

Another possibility looms in the near future. Floating designs are already being tested, and more are on the drawing boards.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Mon Jan 18th, 2010 at 02:17:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Better data? (none / 1)

Crazy Horse:

Another possibility looms in the near future. Floating designs are already being tested, and more are on the drawing boards.

Could these floating designs also incorporate wavebob technology to create combined wind and wave power generators?

notes from no w here

by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot male dotty communists) on Mon Jan 18th, 2010 at 02:59:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Better data? (4.00 / 2)

I'm not familiar with this technology, even after checking the website, but it's doubtful it would be used on a stationary or floating foundation, as the wind turbines need to remain relatively stable. A site electrical grid could possible be used together, if the power is compatible.

What an involved way of saying i don't really know. But the reasons for doubt must be addressed.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Mon Jan 18th, 2010 at 03:33:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Canyons (4.00 / 3)

The submarine canyons visible on that map are magnificently displayed - a perfect example to show that rivers don't always stop at the shore.

by Nomad (Bjinse) on Mon Jan 18th, 2010 at 04:23:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Canyons (4.00 / 3)

Isn't that particularly the case in the Meditterannea where the shore was much, much farther a few millions years ago ? Those canyons were dug by rivers before the shore, if I remember correctly.

Un roi sans divertissement est un homme plein de misères

by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Tue Jan 19th, 2010 at 03:23:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]

True (4.00 / 2)

It's indeed thought that many of the dramatic Meditteranean submarine canyons were largely shaped through intensified river erosion, because of the Messinian salinity crisis, some 5-6 million years ago - whereas the erosional forces of rivers are thought not to have been as dramatic for the rest of the world.

by Nomad (Bjinse) on Tue Jan 19th, 2010 at 03:50:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]

European offshore wind industry taking off | 35 comments (35 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Top Diaries

Trmp and Energy Reality

No More Equality Under the Law, the End of Isonomy in...

Generating a toxic discourse that's not really about ARINS

Energy (and Other) Events Monthly - May 2025

Recent Diaries

Criminal Enterprise Called NATO - R2P Civilians

Trump's Victory Plan for Ukraine

UK-EU Deal: The Anti-Trump Side Letter

Dutch "Left" Will Not Be Silenced!

BrEnter In the Offing?

America Supports Nakba 2, Transport to Hell

Trmp and Energy Reality

Preaching Policy Contra Russia @Atlantic Council

Arab Side Letter :: Solve the Gaza Crisis Now

Ukraine Not Invited to June NATO Summit

Stop Bloodshed, Invest In Peace

Trump: Sanctions Are Self Defeating

City Agriculture - May 13, 2025

Major Shift Powers in Mena - West Asia

China Trade Deal: Repair 4 Years of Biden Neglect

Trump: Zelensky Should Agree to Direct Talks w Putin

IDF Sniper Murderer of Shireen Abu Akleh Named

Rift Trump w Netanyahu Deepens

MAGA Freaked Out on Election Leo XIV

A Deal of the Century In the Making .. Again

Occasional Series