Offshore Wind: A Critical Energy Solution on the Path to Grid Resiliency and Decarbonization

As the urgency to decarbonize and build resiliency grows, renewable energy continues to be a pivotal solution for reshaping the future of power in the U.S. From solar to wind, hydro, geothermal and biomass, each renewable resource has its sweet spot for efficient development, deployment and optimal performance. And while they all have their own pros and cons, it is imperative that we leverage them all into the energy mix to achieve decarbonization goals and ensure adequate capacity to meet increasing load demands.

Offshore wind is garnering significant attention due to its potential to meet our energy needs and drive decarbonization efforts. The offshore wind market saw $9.8 billion in new investments in 2022, more than triple the year prior with $4.4 billion directed to port infrastructure, supply chain development and transmission, evidence that this resource is being considered as a more prominent part of the renewable energy mix. Although offshore wind has undeniable benefits including zero to little land constraints, higher energy efficiency and reliability and a substantial capacity to meet seasonal peak demands, it is not without challenges. To make offshore wind a sustainable reality, it is imperative to confront mounting cost pressures, address intricacies within the supply chain, resolve interconnection complexities, and navigate environmental and local considerations. Yet, as the industry forges ahead and effectively surmounts these obstacles, one certainty remains: offshore wind is destined to have a profound impact across our energy landscape.

The Rising Offshore Wind Market

Offshore wind has the potential to be a game-changer for meeting US energy demand, supporting resiliency and decarbonization goals. A single offshore wind turbine or farm can produce between 10 to 15 megawatts of clean energy, which is significantly more than other forms of renewable energy. Ongoing technological advancements, such as larger turbine sizes and improved efficiency, are accelerating the growth and potential of offshore wind. Innovations in foundation designs, underwater cables and maintenance strategies are also contributing to the maturation of the industry.

Recognizing the power of offshore wind, policymakers and developers have made significant commitments and progress towards bringing this resource online in the near term. The Department of Energy’s National Offshore Wind Strategy, published in 2016, set a goal of deploying 86 GW of offshore wind capacity in the United States by 2050. While this is a long-term target, significant progress is expected to be made in reaching this goal by 2030. Additionally, the Biden administration has prioritized offshore wind development as part of its clean energy plan, aiming to deploy 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, both along the Atlantic coast and in the Gulf of Mexico. Several states along the East Coast have also established ambitious offshore wind targets. New York has a goal of achieving 9 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2035, while New Jersey aims for 7.5 GW in the same time frame. Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland and Virginia have also set significant offshore wind targets. This combination of state and federal policy has led industry experts to project that the U.S. offshore wind market could have installed capacity ranging from 20 GW to 30 GW by 2030. These projections consider ongoing and planned projects, lease areas, policy developments and market trends.

Offshore Wind Opportunities and Challenges

As the offshore industry continues to grow, overcoming a myriad of challenges such as transmission infrastructure and stakeholder concerns will be crucial. But through thoughtful engagement and by harnessing the many opportunities and advancements in offshore wind, we can accelerate the transition to a more resilient and sustainable energy future.

Opportunities and Advantages

The opportunities associated with offshore wind energy are vast and multi-faceted, with benefits from energy potential to environmental considerations.

Energy Potential: Offshore wind turbines and farms have the capacity to generate substantial amounts of electricity. With higher capacity factors compared to land-based wind and solar, offshore wind turbines can produce significant energy output, contributing significantly to decarbonization efforts.

Land Constraints: Certain regions in the United States, such as the Northeast and New York, face challenges in finding available land for solar and onshore wind development. Offshore wind provides a promising solution by utilizing vast coastal areas to generate renewable electricity at scale without encroaching on limited land resources.

Energy Diversity: Offshore wind serves as a critical element for diversifying the U.S. energy mix. By adding a substantial offshore wind capacity, the nation can reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and enhance energy security, mitigating risks associated with overreliance on a single energy source.

Long-term Energy Demand: Offshore wind offers a long-term and sustainable solution to meet future energy demand. As a reliable and consistent energy source, offshore wind’s capacity factors align well with peak winter demand, when electricity demand is highest, helping to alleviate strain on the grid during critical periods.

Cost: Offshore wind costs have been decreasing over the years, driven by economies of scale and technological advancements. While initial investment costs are currently higher compared to some other forms of generation, offshore wind’s higher output, capacity factors and potential for significant energy production make it a compelling option for achieving cost-effective renewable energy goals.

As the industry matures and experiences significant growth, the cost trajectory will continue to improve, making offshore wind increasingly competitive with conventional power generation methods.

Environmental Benefits: Offshore wind power generation produces no greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the reduction of carbon footprints and combating climate change. Additionally, offshore wind farms have the potential to provide habitat structures that attract marine life, fostering biodiversity and promoting ecosystem health.

Challenges and the Path Forward

Despite the many advantages, developing offshore wind energy comes with its share of challenges and obstacles. Focusing understanding and solutions in key areas from transmission to upfront project investments will ease the path forward for offshore wind.

Grid Connection and Transmission Infrastructure: Integrating offshore wind into the existing power grid poses significant challenges. The current infrastructure is not designed to handle the scale and location of offshore wind farms as it is primarily designed for large, centralized power plants, necessitating upgrades and investments to accommodate the location and scale of offshore wind power generation.  Upgrading transmission systems, establishing reliable points of interconnection, and building new transmission infrastructure are crucial to effectively harnessing offshore wind energy. To address long-term transmission challenges, significant planning, collaboration with stakeholders, regulatory support and investments in expanding transmission capacity will be required.

Environmental and Socioeconomic Considerations: Balancing the development of offshore wind projects with environmental and socioeconomic considerations is vital. Proper planning and studies are necessary to assess potential impacts on marine archaeology, sedimentation, and acoustics, ensuring the sustainable coexistence of offshore wind farms and marine ecosystems and the many livelihoods that depend on the health of these systems.

Upfront Investment and Funding: Another significant challenge lies in the development of a robust supply chain and critical infrastructure.  Offshore wind projects require substantial upfront investments, including a mechanism for funding infrastructure development, port facilities, and supply chain establishment. Port development in particular plays a crucial role in supporting offshore wind projects, as it facilitates the transportation and assembly of wind turbine components. Collaborative efforts involving private and public entities, as well as supportive policies and funding mechanisms, are crucial for driving down costs and facilitating the growth of the offshore wind industry.

Diversifying the Energy Mix

One of the main reasons offshore wind is essential is its ability to diversify the renewable energy portfolio in areas limited by the development of other technologies. Different regions in the country possess varying levels of solar and wind resources. For instance, Northeastern states face limited land availability for solar and onshore wind projects due to population density and physical constraints. Offshore wind farms provide an opportunity to harness abundant wind resources without encroaching on valuable land. This spatial advantage ensures that renewable generation is strategically placed closer to load centers, reducing transmission losses and improving grid efficiency.

Offshore wind power plays a pivotal role in meeting the ever-increasing energy demands of the United States. Unlike other renewable energy sources such as solar and onshore wind, offshore wind turbines possess a significantly higher capacity factor, reaching up to 50%. This means that offshore wind farms can generate electricity more consistently, providing a reliable and substantial source of power. In comparison, solar power relies on sunlight availability and onshore wind farms face limitations due to land constraints and local opposition.

Offshore wind power’s significance becomes particularly evident during the winter peak months when energy demand is at its highest. Unlike solar energy, which is less abundant during winter, offshore wind farms are ideally positioned to capitalize on strong winter winds. The capacity factor of offshore wind farms during this season is optimized, aligning with the peak demand period. This unique characteristic makes offshore wind an indispensable asset in addressing the challenges posed by natural gas constraints, which limit the availability of gas for electric generators during winter months. By providing a clean and reliable source of energy precisely when it is needed most, offshore wind contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the economic burden of expensive winter generation.

Next Steps: TRC Can Help

Offshore wind energy holds tremendous promise for the future energy mix, playing a critical role in meeting energy demands, diversifying the renewable energy portfolio and driving decarbonization efforts. With the support of policy initiatives, technological advancements and infrastructure development, the offshore wind sector is poised for significant growth. By harnessing the power of offshore wind, the United States can transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future while ensuring grid resiliency and job creation in the renewable energy sector.

As a trusted advisor to the energy industry, TRC can help you envision and energize transformational offshore wind projects. Our fully integrated project management and technical team understands the details that must be considered for effective offshore wind and renewable project delivery. From power system studies and market analysis to constraints mapping, early engineering, permitting, detailed design and testing and commissioning, we proactively balance stakeholder expectations with financial and scheduling obligations to avoid development hurdles, reduce risk and ultimately progress offshore wind projects into operation. Learn more about our solutions below or contact us to discuss your unique project needs.