What distinguishes onshore and offshore wind turbines?

There are 2 main types of onshore windturbines, horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT) and vertical acis wind turbines (VAWT). The predominant sort is HAWT since they offer higher efficiency in stable wind conditions. HAWTs should be more effictive in unstable conditions, however the economics remain uncertain. Furthermore, onshore windturbines have a lower CAPEX compared to offshore thanks to easier access. Offshore, while being more expensive, produce more energy per installed capacity. Wind conditions at sea allow to produce up to 100% more energy for a given wind turbine.

Offshore wind turbines have seen a massive growth, quite literally, over the last five years. In 2018, the largest operational offshore wind turbines had a rotor diameter of 164 meters and a rated capacity of 8.8 MW. These were installed in demonstration facility. Now, in 2023, the largest operational offshore wind turbine has a rotor diameter of 260 meters and a rated capacity of 16 MW.

Onshore windturbines are generally smaller then their offshore counterparts, due to reglementory constraints. The NIMBY (not in my backyard) concept plays a big role in and nearby residential areas. In order to tackly this issue, several companies develop micro windturbines, often with a vertical axis (VAWT). These turbines are cheaper, and can sometimes produce energy at lower windspeeds. Their overall efficiency is most often lower then that of the classical horizontal axis (HAWT). As a general rule of thumb, in order to drive the cost of energy down you want: 1) Stable wind conditions and 2) Wind turbines as big as possible.

Three aspects to it, one, definitely it's costlier, both initial and ongoing, so that's negative for it, second, there could be environmental concerns related to on-shore which makes a good option, so positive for it and third, technical factor which makes it stand entirely separated is capacity factor which could be substantially higher as compared to on-shore wind or solar, other two prominent RE's, so very positive for it. So just need to check where does it and in fact does it fit in resource adequacy considering cost and environmental concerns.

Onshore Wind Turbines: Pros: - Cost-effective installation. - Easier maintenance and accessibility. - Shorter permitting process. - Potential local employment opportunities. Cons: - Aesthetic concerns and local opposition. - Limited to regions with suitable land availability. - Possible noise pollution concerns. Offshore Wind Turbines: Pros: - Stronger and more consistent wind speeds. - Minimized land use conflicts. - Closer proximity to urban areas. - Reduced transmission losses. Cons: - Higher upfront costs. - Complex logistical challenges. - Longer transmission distances.

Major difference is cost, where onshore is cheaper than the offshore wind but offshore gives other pros over onshore. Offshore give you more energy and can be made bigger to grab more wind power in sea, they have less environmental impact as they are far away from local population. On the other hand, onshore have less maintenance cost and less capital cost. Also it is quicker to install and maintain. Both will play important role in less carbon energy and countries should invest more in them.

🏞️ Onshore Turbines: • 💰 Cost-Effective: Generally involve lower initial costs. • 🛠️ Easier Maintenance: Accessibility simplifies upkeep. • 🏡 Local Impact: Closer to communities, potentially impacting land use. 🌊 Offshore Turbines: • 🌐 Greater Output: Exploit consistent offshore winds for higher energy production. • 🚢 Specialized Infrastructure: Necessitate unique ships and equipment. • 📈 Scalability: Allow for expansive wind farms, overcoming onshore space limitations. 💡 Key Considerations: • ⚖️ Balancing Costs: Onshore’s cost efficiency vs. offshore’s enhanced output. • 🌍 Sustainability Goals: Aligning turbine choice with environmental objectives. • 🔄 Evolving Technology: Monitoring advancements for future,