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

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

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

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

Israel Aims a Political Ban on Dutch Institutions

Nakim Terror: Taking the Holocaust to Palestinians

PMQ House of Commons and Israeli War Crimes

Bill Bradley on Russia and NATO

Friedrich Merz Humiliated In 1st Vote

Rogue States Destroying the United Nations

Last Resort: Trump Slaps Erdogan On His Shoulder

Trump Hard Work Reversing JCPOA Decision

WWII Commemoration and Today's Genocide

VE Day Winston Churchill 1945

Trump on How to Undermine Nuclear Talks w Iran

WWI and Global Peace Movement

Occasional Series