Floating offshore wind turbines will be the initial focus of a new agreement between the U.S. and the U.K. as international talks convene in London this week to accelerate the deployment of clean energy technologies.
The talks will be co-chaired by U.K. Energy Secretary Edward Davey and U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu. The two nations will agree to collaborate on the development of floating wind technology designed to generate power in deep waters currently off limits to conventional turbines but where the wind is much stronger, the U.K.'s Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) says.
The collaboration on floating offshore wind power will ensure that both countries align their resources to maximize the impact for both countries. It will also enable the sharing of best practices and expertise. Ultimately, it is hoped that this approach will result in more cost-effective, higher-yield floating wind power technologies, the DECC adds.
"Floating wind turbines will allow us to exploit more of our wind resource, potentially more cheaply," Davey explains. "Turbines will be able to locate in ever deeper waters, where the wind is stronger, but without the expense of foundations down to the seabed or having to undertake major repairs out at sea."
"The U.K. and U.S. are both making funding available for this technology, and we're determined to work together to capitalize on this shared intent," he adds.
