Wind Turbines

[paul k]

But surely when they decommission an off shore windfarm there'll be huge great lumps of concrete littering the seabed, whereas a land based power station could be left as green fields.

It could be argued that this would create an artificial reef that would be beneficial to many species.

 

[rodp]

It could be argued that this would create an artificial reef that would be beneficial to many species.

True. Replace the natural cover that bottom fishing has destroyed. Can't argue with that !

 

[takbok]

It could be argued that this would create an artificial reef that would be beneficial to many species.

No, the regs make sure that decommissioning is pretty thorough. The offshore turbines I've been involved with sit on steel piles (roughly 4m diameter steel pipe) driven into seabed. We cut them off below seabed or at least flush upon decommissioning.

 

[rodp]

Didn't realise they'd been around long enough for any to be decommissioned yet. Time flies I suppose, and you don't realise just how quickly.

 

[takbok]

Didn't realise they'd been around long enough for any to be decommissioned yet. Time flies I suppose, and you don't realise just how quickly.

No, that was was just the odd wonky ones that are in danger of the pile being undermined by currents. I don't know of whole fields being decommissioned yet. On the other hand there are loads of oil rigs that need decommissioning. Some of their base structures will be hard to shift and may need special concessions to be left in place.

 

[rodp]

Ah, I see. I suppose the last thing you need is 200 feet of wonky windmill spinning round where ships are about. Could be slightly unnerving going past one that's wobbling around

 

[takbok]

The one good thing about the offshore wind farms is that they must create havens for marine life, as no commercial fishing can take place there.

 

[mylo]

Takbok is right about debris being left behind after decommssioning.
There will be no concrete on the seabed. The monopile used for the foundations in wind turbines are a steel tube up to 6m in diameter and 85m long depending on water depth and geology.
When the time comes to decommission the wind farm then the blades, nacelle and tower will be removed. The foundation can then be cut, at an agreed depth below the seabed level using an abrasive high pressure water jet.
The abrasive material used in the cutting process has a low/no environmental impact

 

[rodp]

Takbok is right about debris being left behind after decommssioning.
There will be no concrete on the seabed. The monopile used for the foundations in wind turbines are a steel tube up to 6m in diameter and 85m long depending on water depth and geology.
When the time comes to decommission the wind farm then the blades, nacelle and tower will be removed. The foundation can then be cut, at an agreed depth below the seabed level using an abrasive high pressure water jet.
The abrasive material used in the cutting process has a low/no environmental impact

 

[Raamsay]

There are more planned wind turbines in Scorchedland than there are in England and Wales in total at the moment - we are already miles ahead in the race to cover the country in them - quite happy to pepper the central belt with them but time to seriously halt further wilderness developments - they have run out of control.

Hop on a plane - it is a noticeable infestation north of the wall.

They also fall over - there is one down on a bit of ground I know - so they are not infallible