The Department of Interior is researching wind in the Gulf of Mexico and the impact wind turbines could have on oil rigs used by the oil and gas industry in the region as it is developing plans for offshore wind off the coasts of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
According to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the Department of Energy and private industry promoted the use of larger turbines and rotors. The oil and gas industry could prove to be a logical step, as it looks for new business ventures as the country moves away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy sources, including wind power.
“In (the) Gulf Of Mexico, offshore wind stabs at (the) heart of oil and gas territory. The Gulf of Mexico is finally ready for its offshore wind power closeup, and the State of Louisiana is ready to pounce,” Tom DeRosa, vice president of North American Sales at KORE Power, said in a June 10 tweet.
One solution has been to utilize taller wind turbine towers. According to CleanTechnica, this does not solve all of the issues, including political struggles. However, the website points out that the taller towers are positioned to take advantage of stronger and steadier winds and can be equipped with larger blades to take advantage of the increased winds.
While Louisiana may be ready to move forward, CleanTechnica noted that former President Donald Trump’s policies did not favor wind power. However, during that time the Energy Department continued to pursue taller towers and larger turbines and blades despite the administration’s policies.
While wind energy can be harvested offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, energy needs often are elsewhere in the country. Plans to harvest offshore power generated by the wind turbines likely will meet with some resistance, with CleanTechnica pointing out in its report that the federal government leases offshore areas, creating legislative obstacles to using the power in other regions of the country.
