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To: Red Badger
The first red flag that I saw was, “.....these arrays are ready for a 50-year service life, as opposed to the 30 years of a single large turbine.....” I have dealt with saltwater corrosion for most of my life. I really doubt that the facility will have a 50 year life.

Not only is there a corrosion issue, there is a marine growth issue. For example on some floating bridges, the cables anchored to the bottom, end up being the perfect location of marine organisms to attach and grow as foods/nutrients are swept past them. On some such anchoring wires, the weight of the organism grows exponential until they have to be scrapped and constantly cleaned. Cleaning is never perfect so once cleaned there is an easier way for the marine organisms to attach again.

Then the next red flag is the whole size thing. During a windstorm at maximum power production the “effective sail area” of the combined wind turbine blades will create quite a moment trying to capsize the floating wind farm. That is something that can be designed for or anchored for, but it will be a big deal. One of the problems in most large wind turbines is breaking or feathering blades during high winds and gusts to prevent over-speed trips.

Don't get me wrong. Given enough money, you can do just about anything. Unfortunately, many things, no matter how desirable can be forced to be economic.

37 posted on 06/11/2021 2:29:00 PM PDT by Robert357
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To: Robert357

Salt water, ice and bird crap, what a combination......


52 posted on 06/11/2021 5:12:13 PM PDT by WellyP (question!)
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