First US offshore wind farm prepares to go on line

New York Times : Off the coast of Rhode Island, five wind turbines that make up the Block Island Wind Farm are being readied for testing in October. Although the project will generate only enough power for about 17 000 homes, it looks to be just the first of many offshore wind ventures as the US pushes for more renewable energy. Some 50 000 turbines are already running on land in the US, where they are cheaper and easier to build. However, ocean wind represents a much steadier, and so far untapped, resource, particularly for the US Northeast, where electrical demand and power rates are high. Unlike Europe, which has been operating offshore wind turbines for more than two decades, the US has been slow to adopt the technology. However, its success abroad may help speed its introduction to the US and bring down the initial costs of installation.