Introduction of Wind Energy Technologies

1. Wind Turbines: These are like giant fans with blades that turn in the wind. The turning blades generate electricity.

2. Types of Wind Turbines:  Some have blades that spin horizontally (like a pinwheel), while others have blades that spin vertically. The horizontal ones are more common.

3. Offshore Wind Farms:  Some wind farms are built in the sea to capture more wind. They are called offshore wind farms.

4.  Storing Wind Energy: Because the wind doesn't blow all the time, we use batteries and storage systems to save extra electricity when the wind is strong. This helps to keep a steady supply of power.

5. Smart Systems: Wind turbines are now smart. They can adjust how they work based on how fast the wind is blowing and how much electricity is needed.

6. New Designs: People are always finding better ways to build wind turbines. They use new materials and designs to make them work better and cost less.

Wind energy is a growing and sustainable way to produce electricity by using the natural power of the wind.

Taiwan's Potential Wind Power Types

1. Wind Turbines:

   - Reason: Taiwan's geographical location makes it an ideal location for wind power generation. Situated in the subtropical and tropical convergence zone, Taiwan boasts abundant wind resources, particularly in its surrounding seas. The installation of wind turbines can fully utilize these natural wind resources, providing Taiwan with clean and renewable energy.

2. Various Types of Wind Turbines:

   - Reason: Taiwan has advanced technology and engineering expertise in the field of wind power generation. Horizontal-axis wind turbines are the most common form, with their technological maturity and reliability well-validated, making them one of Taiwan's primary choices for wind power development.

3. Offshore Wind Farms:

   - Reason: Taiwan is located in the active typhoon zone of the Pacific Ocean, with rich wind energy resources in its maritime areas. Offshore wind farms can fully utilize these abundant wind resources while reducing reliance on land-based resources and minimizing impacts on terrestrial environments.

4. Storing Wind Energy:

   - Reason: Wind power generation is characterized by intermittency, requiring storage systems to stabilize power supply. Taiwan has begun researching and investing in energy storage technologies, such as battery energy storage systems and pumped hydro storage, to address the fluctuations of wind power generation and ensure a stable power supply.

5. Smart Systems:

   - Reason: Modern wind turbines are equipped with smart systems that can adjust operation modes based on wind speed and power demand. These smart systems can improve the efficiency of wind turbines and better integrate them into the power grid to meet the diverse energy demands.

6. New Designs:

   - Reason: Taiwan has been actively seeking innovative wind power generation technologies and designs to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize environmental impacts. Utilizing new materials and technologies, such as lightweight materials and more efficient blade designs, can make wind power facilities more sustainable and competitive.

The Distribution of Offshore and Onshore Wind Power Generation in Taiwan

2. Moderate Water Depth: 

The waters off the west coast have relatively shallow depths, which is advantageous for the construction and operation of offshore wind farms. In contrast, the deeper waters off the east coast present technical and economic challenges for offshore wind farm development.

3. Flat Terrain: 

The west coast region boasts relatively flat terrain, facilitating the installation of onshore wind turbines. Conversely, the mountainous and complex terrain of the east coast increases the difficulty of constructing onshore wind power facilities.

Comparing the Number of Offshore Wind Turbines to Onshore Wind Turbines

Reasons of Onshore Wind Outnumbers Offshore in Taiwan

Cost, Infrastructure, and Regulation Drive Onshore Dominance

1. Cost Factors: 

The construction of onshore wind farms is relatively less expensive compared to offshore wind farms. Onshore wind farms do not require the construction and maintenance of facilities at sea, thus making them more economically feasible in terms of investment and operational costs.

2. Technology and Reliability: 

Onshore wind power generation technology is relatively mature with a longer development history, hence garnering more trust. Conversely, offshore wind power faces technical challenges related to the marine environment and higher equipment requirements, leading to a slower pace of development.

3. Planning and Permitting Regulations: 

The planning and permitting regulations for onshore wind power generation are relatively simplified, resulting in a faster process and reduced construction risks. In contrast, offshore wind power development involves more complex regulatory and permitting procedures, leading to slower development progress.

Offshore Wind Poised to Eclipse Onshore in Future Energy Landscape

Factors Driving the Surge: Technology Advancements, Greater Capacity, and Environmental Benefits

1. Topographical Constraints:

   - Onshore wind power generation is constrained by topography, particularly in regions like Taiwan where rugged terrain limits suitable locations for wind turbine installation.

   - Offshore wind power, however, is not subject to such topographical constraints as offshore areas offer broader expanses for potential construction.

2. Technological Advancements:

   - Continuous advancements in offshore wind power technology, including turbine design, marine engineering, and remote operation capabilities, result in decreasing costs and improving efficiency.

   - These technological advancements enable offshore wind power to be developed on a larger scale in the future, surpassing onshore wind power.

3. Utilization of Offshore Space:

   - The available space in offshore areas far exceeds that of onshore regions, and offshore wind speeds tend to be higher and more stable.

   - By capitalizing on offshore space, future offshore wind power projects can accommodate more wind turbine installations, thus increasing both the total number of turbines and overall electricity generation capacity.