Can America's first floating wind farm shake off environmental concerns?

The Guardian ^ | July 31, 2016 | Matt Weiser

[rockinqsranch]

The deep waters off the coast of California could become home to the country’s largest offshore wind energy project and a test case for a technology that is still in its infancy.

[abclily]

All of these expensive clean energy projects are money laundering schemes for the democratic party.

[rockinqsranch]

“All of these expensive clean energy projects are money laundering schemes for the democratic party.”

Yes they are. Good post.

[BroJoeK]

KamperKen: " If one drives past a wind farm one will notice that most are not spinning since most failed some time prior and were abandoned in place."

On a windy day in your typical windmill farm of, say, two dozen wind turbines, I typically see all but two or three turning, suggesting operating rates approaching 90%.

The windmill industry says you can expect annual maintenance costs on newer turbines around 2%, or $80,000 on a $4,000,000 windmill.
Over its 25 year life, that would mean repairs totaling $2,000,000.

How much to they earn?
I can't say, numbers not readily available, but conventional wisdom says that without government subsidies, windmills are losers economically.

To which the industry responds that government subsidies for wind turbines are no greater than those subsidies provided other energy sectors.

Take your pick.

[ROCKLOBSTER]

the industry responds that government subsidies for wind turbines are no greater than those subsidies provided other energy sectors

Depends on what the meaning of the word "subsidy" is. Is is a tax break, or an outright grant?

Of course "the industry" is all RAT...so they're probably lying.

[BroJoeK]

Thanks.
This source says the wind power subsidy is $.022 per kilowatt hour, which is almost 50% above electricity's wholesale price of $.05.

By contrast, the "subsidy" for oil works out to about $.60 per barrel, or around 1%.
So, 50% subsidy for wind turbines vs. 1% for oil... ??

I've been trying to work out a rough idea of the economics.
Let's see, if a large new wind turbine (let's suppose 3 megawatts) costs, say, $4 million to build, and $80,000 per year to maintain, how much income does it generate.

Well, this source estimates they average 16 hours per day, which I think produces $2,400, or $876,000 per year, plus another $385,000 in subsidies.
So, if loan payments on $4 million over 20 years are $210,000 per year, and who knows what other costs...
Of course, if they only average eight hours per day, that could get dicey.

So, it might work, especially with tax payers kicking in a real nice Christmas bonus. ;-)