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Hydro/Ocean/Tidal/Offshore Wind PowerOverviewHarnessed water power is one of the world’soldest renewable energy sources. Hydropoweraccounts for more capacity than any otherrenewable source today. At RETECH 2009, hydroinnovators presented on the changing manner inwhich developers are harnessing the power ofwater—and offshore wind. As technology opensnew areas to offshore development, nationalleaders in ocean, wave, tidal energy, andoffshore wind convened in Las Vegas to discussthe field’s successes, challenges and visionslooking forward.ConsensusNew technologies are bringing changes tooffshore energy generation, with innovatorsrising to the challenge of providing clean energyto America’s growing coastal cities. With minimalenvironmental impact, developers are findingnew ways to harness water’s abundant kineticpotential—and changing the way the world thinksabout hydroelectric power.Offshore Wind EnergyThe benefits of offshore wind energy arenumerous.Burton Hamner, President of Grays HarborOcean Energy Co. LLC, described the benefits ofoffshore compared with traditional landturbines. To start, offshore turbines enjoy areduced load turbulence blowing at a highermean rate on a steadier basis and mitigatingsome of the intermittency issues of traditionalwind. Offshore wind is also more aestheticallybenign. Commonly located about ten miles fromshore, turbines present a small visual impactand no bird impacts. With good siting optionsoffshore from high volume load centers,offshore wind enjoys increased transmissionoptions compared to traditional wind that rely onheavily loaded lines. Lastly, offshore wind farmsavoid constraints on turbine size—larger turbinescan be more economical to use, generatingmore power and but not easily transportableby land.Offshore turbines enjoy a reduced loadturbulence blowing at a higher mean rateon a steadier basis and mitigating some ofthe intermittency issues of traditional wind.– Burton Hamner, President of Grays Harbor OceanEnergy Co. LLCThere is a list of eight criteria for developingoffshore wind and wave farms.Burt Hamner also offered eight criteria forevaluating a site’s feasibility for offshore wind:American Council On Renewable EnergyExecutive Summary Report 32