NASA Data Generates Offshore Wind Buzz

Scientists at NASA say that data on ocean winds could provide a lift in efforts to site offshore wind farms.

The data comes from the agency's QuickSCAT satellite, which has been tracking the speed, direction and power of winds near the ocean surface since 1999. QuickSCAT uses a specialized microwave radar instrument named SeaWinds which is often used to predict storms and enhance the accuracy of weather forecasts. It seems to be a happy accident that the same stats could help find homes for the world's turbines.

This research also found that high wind areas could potentially generate 500 to 800 watts per square meter, not quite matching the one kilowatt of energy per square meter for solar energy, but still pretty impressive. Also, winds tend to be stronger over water than on land due to less friction and virtually no geographical barriers.

The scientists already identified prime sites the world over, including one off the coast of Northern California near Cape Mendocino, where a jut of land deflects wind, creating year-round gales. Offshore wind appears to be winding up and this new information will have the likes of T. Boone Pickens eyeing windy sites like they were waterfront cottages.