Offshore Wind Power | What Motivates This Research Program?

Many of us consider recent findings (since mid-2003) on the effects of CO₂ on the ocean to be very alarming. These recent analyses predict effects that, compared to most effects predicted prior to 2003, are qualitatively more disruptive to humanity and to whole ecosystems. See the UD CEOE web site on CO₂ for brief summaries. The largest CO₂ source is electric generation and second is transportation. After systematically examining non-CO₂ electric resources available in the US North East, we find offshore wind is the largest cost-competitive electric source capable of large-scale implementation in the needed 40 - 60 year time frame (see article). Other measures should be also be pursued (e.g. conservation, electrificiation of the vehilce fleet, and solar), but without offshore wind we know of no way to accomplish the needed 60%+ cuts in greenhouse gases in our region. Other regions will vary.