Technology

Air moving over the blades of a turbine creates aerodynamic lift  causing the rotor  and blades to rotate.  Wind sensors   can detect the optimal direction for the turbine to point, allowing the turbine’s yaw controller to turn the blades into or away from the wind. Each turbine has a generator that converts the mechanical power of the blades in motion into electricity, which is then transmitted through subsea cables. The service life of a wind turbine is at least 20 years.

The amount of electricity produced depends on wind speed, turbine size, and the arrangement of the turbines. Offshore wind turbines typically generate more energy per hour than land-based turbines due to their larger size and higher wind speeds. Similar to land-based turbines on utility scale wind farms, the height of an offshore wind turbine tower is about 80 meters (262 feet). Offshore turbines have larger rotors than land-based turbines,  reaching  90- 107 meters (295-351 feet) in diameter, about the length of a football field. In 2009, the average capacity of an offshore wind turbine in Europe was around three megawatts (MW), and the capacity of future turbines is expected to increase to five MW.

At different depths, turbines require different types of bases for stability. A monopile base is a single column, six meters (20 feet) in diameter, and is installed in water up to 30 meters (98 feet) deep. In water 20-80 meters (66- 262 feet) deep, turbines use a base with a tripod or a steel jacket for stabilization.