Could Offshore Wind Help Solve Power Woes in California?
Developing offshore wind projects is not California’s priority right now, but perhaps it should be, because this could potentially help ease some of the challenges that the state is currently experiencing.
And those challenges are many – from the omnipresent threat of earthquakes to widespread forest fires to extreme drought, it’s tough for the Golden State right now. But, new research from Cal Poly and the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) offers some hope.
The Case for Offshore Wind in California
California’s geology and climate characteristics are key drivers of the disaster scenarios the state needs to worry about. And unfortunately, the state’s renewable energy mandate exasperates the misery (50% of the state’s electricity to be powered by renewable sources by 2025, 60% by 2030, and 100% by 2045).
The problem is that solar energy accounts for 22% of the state’s electricity, yet peak demand occurs after the sun sets. But this could be offset by using offshore wind power, which peaks during the evening hours. Additionally, offshore wind blows stronger and more consistently due to the lack of mountains or topological features to interfere with the flow.
In fact, the results of the research back this up. According to one of the researchers, “our results suggest that offshore wind power…is very likely to help supply the daily peak electricity demand when there is little or no solar power in the evening.”
The study concludes that offshore wind will eventually become more valuable than solar or land-based wind sources simply because it generates more power during peak times, especially in the winter, during which the study estimates offshore wind would be 2x-4x more valuable.
So, how exactly did the researchers come to these conclusions? Models were run that calculated average wind speeds throughout the year, at the altitude where the turbines would operate. Special buoys were placed in the ocean that helped translate the calculations into power generation metrics.
Although offshore wind has a way to go before it becomes a reality for California, this study is a great step in that direction. In addition, over 10 firms have applied for leases off the coast. The leasing process has been held up due to studies that are being conducted to determine the environmental impact, as well as the Navy’s insistence that the turbines would negatively impact military operations (but the good news is that the Dept. of Defense has recently decided that it is willing to explore options).
The bottom line is that wind power will eventually become a reality for California. The only question is when.
