The wind is a fantastic source of energy, but harnessing wind power is not a novel concept. Since ancient times, wind power has been utilized.

However, the use of wind energy is currently expanding.

Offshore and onshore wind farms are essential to achieving a carbon-free power grid. These range from the numerous wind turbines seen throughout the countryside to the larger projects offshore.

In this article, we will discuss the differences between offshore and onshore wind energy.

KEY TAKEAWAYS ABOUT OFFSHORE AND ONSHORE WIND FARMS:

• Wind is a good energy source, and its use is expanding.

• Offshore and onshore wind farms are essential components of renewable energy sources that can aid in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.

• Onshore wind energy refers to wind turbines built and located on land.

• Offshore wind energy refers to wind farms that are constructed on shallow bodies of water, typically the ocean.

• STEVENS produces power systems and infrastructure for the wind energy producing industry. We are able to collaborate with businesses in all power and energy industries, including wind energy.

Check out our blog What are the main types of renewable energy?

HOW DOES WIND POWER WORK?

Wind power facilities employ turbines to convert wind energy into electricity.

Attached to the blades of the turbines is a motor that harnesses the wind-generated motion of the blades to generate power.

The generated electricity is delivered to a gearbox, which turns the slow rotation of the blades into a quick rotation.

That rotates a drive shaft quickly enough to generate electricity.

Historically, onshore wind turbines were the most often used.

However, as technology has advanced over the past decade, offshore wind farms in deep water have been developed.

WHAT'S ONSHORE WIND ENERGY?

Onshore wind energy refers to wind turbines placed on land as opposed to sea.

Typically, they inhabit areas with low population density and high conservation importance.

COST-EFFECTIVE PROS OF ONSHORE WIND FARMS

Offshore wind turbines are more expensive than onshore ones.

Along with nuclear and solar electricity, they are one of the least expensive renewable energy sources.

Infrastructure and maintenance costs for onshore wind farms are significantly lower than for offshore wind farms.

They often cost half as much as offshore wind energy generation installations.

Investments in onshore wind farms will pay off in as little as two years, all the while providing cost-efficient power for consumers.

BOOSTS LOCAL ECONOMY

Energy firms analyze how their wind farms would assist local economies while they are identifying the ideal sites to construct their farms.

The economic value can be assessed by the revenue generated by onshore farms and local landowners, as well as the number of employment created in the region.

QUICKER INSTALLATION

The installation of onshore wind farms is less expensive and faster.

Onshore wind farms can be developed and ready for business in a matter of months, but other sustainable energy projects can take a while to conceive and be erected.

WHAT'S OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY?

Offshore wind farms are constructed over shallow bodies of open water, typically the ocean.

These regions have higher wind speeds, allowing the farms to generate the greatest energy from the wind.

The phrase "offshore wind" can also be applied to wind turbines located in lakes and fjords.

The majority of offshore wind farms contain wind turbines anchored in shallow sea. As offshore technology advances, however, wind farms will be able to be constructed in deeper oceans.

THE PROS OF OFFSHORE WIND FARMS GENERATES MORE ENERGY

On average, onshore wind turbines generate 1 MW less power than offshore farms.

Offshore wind farms have taller turbines than onshore wind farms, which are height-restricted. This allows for increased energy capture.

Wind speeds offshore are usually always greater than those on land.

This indicates that more energy may be generated at water than on land.

MORE EFFICIENT

Offshore wind farms are believed to generate more electricity than onshore ones.

With fewer turbines, offshore farms can produce the same amount of electricity as onshore farms.

This is due to the fact that winds at sea are stronger and more frequently blow in the same direction than winds on land.

LESS INTRUSIVE

Due to their location at sea, offshore wind farms have fewer environmental repercussions than their onshore counterparts.

There are no buildings or other obstructions that could impede offshore wind turbines.

In addition, they do not alter how cities utilize their property or cause noise pollution.

Offshore wind farms can be larger per square mile than onshore ones since there are fewer impediments and they have a less environmental impact.

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ONSHORE AND OFFSHORE WIND POWER

There are distinctions between onshore and offshore wind turbines, yet they both operate using the same mechanical principles.

The rotor blades of all wind turbines revolve around a horizontal hub.

Each has a transmission and a generator.

When the wind strikes and rotates the blades, kinetic energy is transferred to the gearbox.

Now, the gearbox accelerates the blades' rotation so that it can power the generator.

The generator converts rotational energy to electrical energy.

And ultimately, the energy is distributed to users via the grid.

Regardless of location, wind turbines are made with the identical components.

If offshore and onshore turbines were the same size and the wind speed was the same, they would produce the same quantity of electricity.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ONSHORE AND OFFSHORE WIND POWER

Although the materials and mechanisms of onshore and offshore wind turbines are comparable, there are significant distinctions between the two.

The location of the wind farms is the most visible distinction between the two types of farms.

In fact, the huge disparities in geography and geology between land and water turbines account for the majority of discrepancies in their construction.

Installing onshore wind farms is far less expensive than offshore ones.

For the construction of an offshore wind farm, platforms, underwater cables, connectivity, and additional safety elements are required.

This increases the total cost of installation.

Also, maintenance on offshore farms must be performed by helicopters and ocean-going vessels, which is more expensive than land-based alternatives.

However, onshore wind power isn't as dependable or predictable as offshore wind power.

Before purchasing or leasing land for the building of a wind farm to generate sustainable energy, the terrain and wind currents that the site is exposed to must be thoroughly analyzed.

That in itself can cause complications and add additional costs.

You must also have access to land.

With the world's population growing exponentially and more land being used for housing and agriculture, it is more difficult to find suitable locations for wind farms.

There is ample area in the water, and offshore wind farms have fewer issues with wind power and availability.

This enables them to generate more dependable and efficient energy.

START YOUR WIND FARM PROJECT WITH STEVENS

Wind turbines are often simple to install, whether on land or at sea.

As long as the wind continues to blow, wind energy will remain an essential energy source and a vital topic of discussion.

Researchers anticipate considerable advancements in onshore and offshore wind technologies in the future years and decades.

STEVENS constructs energy systems and facilities for the wind energy producing sector.

With decades of expertise serving clients of all sizes and types, our professional crews have the knowledge and abilities necessary to meet the requirements of energy-sector projects.

Our family of businesses assures that each client can execute projects on time, within budget, and to exact specifications.

We are able to collaborate with businesses in all power and energy industries, including offshore and onshore wind energy.