Wind turbines are a method of energy conversion. They take one form of energy — kinetic energy from wind — and transform it, through a series of mechanical processes, into electricity. Wind energy is considered renewable because it occurs naturally in the world around us. Earth will never run out of wind. For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/offshore-wind-turbines-with-yuxin-wu/
For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/offshore-wind-turbines-with-yuxin-wu/
Ethan: Can we improve the performance of offshore wind turbines using fiber-optic cables? This is Ethan Elkind of Climate Break. Offshore turbines are already difficult to monitor and repair. But floating turbines may be especially prone to malfunction. I asked Yuxin Wu, a scientist in the Geophysics Department at Berkeley Lab, if he thinks fiber-optics might help.
Dr. Wu: One of these sensors that we're using can provide you with a millimeter resolution. So what that means is for a meter long fiber, you can have 1000 sensing locations.
Ethan: Without these sensors, faulty hardware in a turbine may go unnoticed and cause extensive damage. Fiber-optic technology can help scientists understand the dynamics of floating turbines while also revealing problems that arise. Wu says it could even make offshore wind cheaper.
Dr. Wu: Basically knowing the problem way ahead before it gets too costly will help you to reduce the cost of energy overall.
Ethan: Offshore turbines could generate 10% of California’s electricity by 2040. But at least for now, development of wind farms in the Pacific remains on the horizon, facing hurdles in technology and policy. For more information on Wu’s work at Berkeley Lab, and for more climate solutions, go to climatebreak.org or wherever you get your podcasts.