A FRESH LOOK AT OFFSHORE WIND OPPORTUNITIES IN MASSACHUSETTS

摘要

The utilization of offshore winds for generating electricity was first proposed in the early 1970's,specifically in regards to Massachusetts, by Prof. William Heronemus, a naval architect at the Universityof Massachusetts. Subsequent studies commissioned by the federal government concluded that offshorewind development anywhere would be unlikely. More recently, a number of European countries havebegun to devote substantial effort to the development of their offshore wind resource. Now, with supportfrom the Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources, attention is being focused once again on theMassachusetts offshore. It is now apparent that significant opportunities exist for offshore wind in NewEngland. In a region whose inland resource is concentrated on ridges, where access may be difficult orexpensive, the offshore resource holds the potential to provide substantial amounts of renewable energy tothe region. The offshore regions contain relatively large areas suitable for ocean floor mounted windturbines, as well as even larger areas which could be suitable for (as yet undeveloped) floating turbines.On the other hand, the region is also the site of large marine sanctuaries, and there are many othercompeting uses for the coastal waters. This paper reviews the extent of present offshore resourceestimates and other issues related to the development of the resource, including water depths, regulatoryand environmental issues, weather related issues, and the existence of the support infrastructure foroffshore wind development.