A floating wind turbine has been inaugurated off the coast of Agucadoura, Portugal.
Courtesy Principle Power
Floating wind turbine —
The 54-meter-high structure is a joint venture between a consortium of energy and clean tech companies, including Principle Power, Vestas Wind Systems and Energias de Portugal.
Courtesy Principle Power
Floating wind turbine —
The turbine cost $20 million to manufacture and can produce enough electricity to power 1,300 homes.
Courtesy Principle Power
Floating wind turbine —
Unlike existing offshore wind farms and underwater tidal turbines, floating structures do not have to be fixed to the ocean floor.
Courtesy Principle Power
Floating wind turbine —
An undersea cable transmits the energy produced on-site back ashore. The costs for transporting electricity rise the farther out to sea the structures are placed.
Courtesy Principle Power
Floating wind turbine —
The device is assembled onshore before being towed out to sea, a process that aims to save on construction and installation costs.
