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| Ships on legs | Ships on legs |
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| By Giancarlo Rinaldi BBC Scotland Rising from stormy seas, the giant turbine towers of an offshore wind farm seem almost miraculous to the untrained eye. But how do you put them there? | By Giancarlo Rinaldi BBC Scotland Rising from stormy seas, the giant turbine towers of an offshore wind farm seem almost miraculous to the untrained eye. But how do you put them there? |
| Most boats do not have legs. But a jack-up barge has six, protruding high into the air when the ship is in transit. | Most boats do not have legs. But a jack-up barge has six, protruding high into the air when the ship is in transit. |
| Extending to a length of 48m from the bottom of the ship, and penetrating up to 5m into the sea bed, the "legs" of these ships provide a stable "ground" in a place where there is only roiling water. | Extending to a length of 48m from the bottom of the ship, and penetrating up to 5m into the sea bed, the "legs" of these ships provide a stable "ground" in a place where there is only roiling water. |
| As the legs push down, the ship is lifted above the waves. Purpose-built at a Chinese shipyard, the £60m jack-up barge MPIO Resolution is an extraordinary piece of engineering in itself. | As the legs push down, the ship is lifted above the waves. Purpose-built at a Chinese shipyard, the £60m jack-up barge MPIO Resolution is an extraordinary piece of engineering in itself. |
| The jack-up barges sail with their legs upEnlarge Image With a solid platform achieved, the windmill is fixed into place using a crane from the ship. | The jack-up barges sail with their legs upEnlarge Image With a solid platform achieved, the windmill is fixed into place using a crane from the ship. |
| These procedures are becoming more common as the drive goes on to increase wind power. | These procedures are becoming more common as the drive goes on to increase wind power. |
| If government targets are to be met, the UK could have as many as 7,000 offshore wind turbines by 2020. In the process, it would increase the amount of energy produced by that means about 60-fold. | If government targets are to be met, the UK could have as many as 7,000 offshore wind turbines by 2020. In the process, it would increase the amount of energy produced by that means about 60-fold. |
| The building of each offshore site tends to be contentious, with complaints about disruption to wildlife and eyesores. | The building of each offshore site tends to be contentious, with complaints about disruption to wildlife and eyesores. |
| And after surmounting any planning concerns, the big engineering question of putting the turbines in place remains. | And after surmounting any planning concerns, the big engineering question of putting the turbines in place remains. |
| The offshore environment does present a number of challenges that you don't face onshore E.ON spokesman | The offshore environment does present a number of challenges that you don't face onshore E.ON spokesman |
| The giant jack-up barges are purpose-built for the expanding industry and one such vessel is the £60m MPIO Resolution. | The giant jack-up barges are purpose-built for the expanding industry and one such vessel is the £60m MPIO Resolution. |
| Its most recent appointment has been to help with construction of the 60-turbine Robin Rigg scheme in the Solway Firth, about six miles off the south west coast of Scotland. | Its most recent appointment has been to help with construction of the 60-turbine Robin Rigg scheme in the Solway Firth, about six miles off the south west coast of Scotland. |
| In August last year, the £325m scheme's progress was delayed by the late arrival of another jack-up barge, the Lisa A. | In August last year, the £325m scheme's progress was delayed by the late arrival of another jack-up barge, the Lisa A. |
| The Resolution was purpose built at a cost of about £60m to help with the construction of offshore wind farmsThen 38 workers had to be rescued from Lisa A after it started to list dangerously. It was taken to Belfast to undergo checks and the Resolution was drafted in. | The Resolution was purpose built at a cost of about £60m to help with the construction of offshore wind farmsThen 38 workers had to be rescued from Lisa A after it started to list dangerously. It was taken to Belfast to undergo checks and the Resolution was drafted in. |
| The barge itself is a major piece of construction to overcome the difficulties of working at sea. | The barge itself is a major piece of construction to overcome the difficulties of working at sea. |
| The vessel was purpose-built at the Shanhaigun Shipyard in China and delivered to the UK in February 2004. | The vessel was purpose-built at the Shanhaigun Shipyard in China and delivered to the UK in February 2004. |
| The Robin Rigg site is about six miles from the Scots coastOn average, it takes about 24 to 36 hours to install wind turbine foundations from a vessel like the Resolution. | The Robin Rigg site is about six miles from the Scots coastOn average, it takes about 24 to 36 hours to install wind turbine foundations from a vessel like the Resolution. |
| At locations where drilling is required, it can taking closer to three days. | At locations where drilling is required, it can taking closer to three days. |
| Then the vessel often has to wait for high water to allow it to move to the site of the next turbine. | Then the vessel often has to wait for high water to allow it to move to the site of the next turbine. |
| Finally, it can return to fit the rest of the structure - usually in a period of about 24 hours for each turbine. | Finally, it can return to fit the rest of the structure - usually in a period of about 24 hours for each turbine. |
| E.ON, the company behind the Robin Rigg project, has been philosophical about the difficulties encountered in the Solway. | E.ON, the company behind the Robin Rigg project, has been philosophical about the difficulties encountered in the Solway. |
| MAJOR PROJECTS USING THE MPIO RESOLUTION Robin Rigg, Solway FirthNorth Hoyle, WalesKentish Flats, KentBarrow, Morecambe BayLynn & Inner Dowsing, LincolnshireHorns Rev, Denmark "The offshore environment does present a number of challenges that you don't face onshore," said a company spokesman. | MAJOR PROJECTS USING THE MPIO RESOLUTION Robin Rigg, Solway FirthNorth Hoyle, WalesKentish Flats, KentBarrow, Morecambe BayLynn & Inner Dowsing, LincolnshireHorns Rev, Denmark "The offshore environment does present a number of challenges that you don't face onshore," said a company spokesman. |
| "However, offshore wind does offer a number of advantages such as the potential to build larger and more powerful wind farms. | "However, offshore wind does offer a number of advantages such as the potential to build larger and more powerful wind farms. |
| "Certainly the availability of vessels capable of carrying out offshore work is an issue. | "Certainly the availability of vessels capable of carrying out offshore work is an issue. |
| Jack-up barges rise out of the water to form a stable platform"And there's always the possibility that bad weather and high seas can affect construction, but the more we learn about building these projects the easier it will become." | Jack-up barges rise out of the water to form a stable platform"And there's always the possibility that bad weather and high seas can affect construction, but the more we learn about building these projects the easier it will become." |
| Offshore wind farms like Robin Rigg play a key role in helping the UK deliver its renewable energy targets, E.ON believes, and in teaching lessons for the next generation of bigger, more powerful wind farms. | Offshore wind farms like Robin Rigg play a key role in helping the UK deliver its renewable energy targets, E.ON believes, and in teaching lessons for the next generation of bigger, more powerful wind farms. |
| Which may mean we see more massive jack-up barges patrolling the waters around the UK in years to come. | Which may mean we see more massive jack-up barges patrolling the waters around the UK in years to come. |
Add your comments on this story, using the form below. | Add your comments on this story, using the form below. |
| Why not use old rig platforms less cost and more turbines.tony g, Preston | Why not use old rig platforms less cost and more turbines.tony g, Preston |
| Britain will never achieve anywhere near self sufficiency in renewable energy so long as the NIMBY attitude existIshkandar, London | Britain will never achieve anywhere near self sufficiency in renewable energy so long as the NIMBY attitude existIshkandar, London |
| Fantastic engineering.... Just a shame its made in China.Gary Enticott, Cardiff, UK | Fantastic engineering.... Just a shame its made in China.Gary Enticott, Cardiff, UK |
| Renewable energy, such as wind farms, is an obvious "must" And location off-shore is the least invasive. But will there be serious risks of collisions by shipping? Could a collision cause serious power disruption?Albert Topliss, Wigston, United Kingdom | Renewable energy, such as wind farms, is an obvious "must" And location off-shore is the least invasive. But will there be serious risks of collisions by shipping? Could a collision cause serious power disruption?Albert Topliss, Wigston, United Kingdom |
| The windmills look beautiful and are a huge salvation for energy needs. As Radio 4 pointed out in a recent podcast - mirror-driven steam turbines powered by the sun in the Gobi desert can deliver 16% of Europe's power too. When can we be rid of the grip of the oil barons?Mrs Marie Marshall, Shepton Mallet, UK | The windmills look beautiful and are a huge salvation for energy needs. As Radio 4 pointed out in a recent podcast - mirror-driven steam turbines powered by the sun in the Gobi desert can deliver 16% of Europe's power too. When can we be rid of the grip of the oil barons?Mrs Marie Marshall, Shepton Mallet, UK |
| Offshore wind is only viable if heavily subsidised and the huge costs of transmission infrastructure from remote locations and the cost of keeping back up supplies on standby are charged to others. The real cost of wind power to the consumer is over 25p per KWH.Bruce Gawler, Chippenham | Offshore wind is only viable if heavily subsidised and the huge costs of transmission infrastructure from remote locations and the cost of keeping back up supplies on standby are charged to others. The real cost of wind power to the consumer is over 25p per KWH.Bruce Gawler, Chippenham |
| I think that wind turbines are a fantastic piece of engineering, they appear graceful on the landscape, all governments should veto any local government body's that delay the erection of these, nature is a wonderful thing and any short term impact caused during construction will heal, i care about my planet, so lets stop the nanny state, the idle rich that have nothing better to do than cause delays stamp there feet and complain because we will not have a planet soonRobert Ringer, Weston Super Mare, Somerset | |
| I was part of Global marine and took part in the installation and commissioning of the Worlds first commercial offshore windfarm at Horns Rev, 11 miles off the coast of Denmark. Then we used a 'dumb' jack up barge (it had to be towed) The problems we encountered during installation were setting the project timelines back, weather and the fact that it was a learning curve for all. This vessel certainly makes life safer and easier for all in a hostile environment.Robert, Cumbria | I was part of Global marine and took part in the installation and commissioning of the Worlds first commercial offshore windfarm at Horns Rev, 11 miles off the coast of Denmark. Then we used a 'dumb' jack up barge (it had to be towed) The problems we encountered during installation were setting the project timelines back, weather and the fact that it was a learning curve for all. This vessel certainly makes life safer and easier for all in a hostile environment.Robert, Cumbria |
| I think this is a wonderful piece of engineering that will deliver a much needed boost to our cleaner, more greener energy needs.What still puzzles me is the amount of opposition to these offshore farms. I cannot see how the wildlife could be severely impacted and if it is then surely the impact is less than the longer term prospects of climate change.It makes me wonder if it is the same people campaigning against these wind farms, who also demand less use of the Coal, Gas and Nuclear power stations. No doubt they would also find a complaint about a safe and efficient Fission Reactor when the technology is introducedJames Doyle, Leicester, UK | I think this is a wonderful piece of engineering that will deliver a much needed boost to our cleaner, more greener energy needs.What still puzzles me is the amount of opposition to these offshore farms. I cannot see how the wildlife could be severely impacted and if it is then surely the impact is less than the longer term prospects of climate change.It makes me wonder if it is the same people campaigning against these wind farms, who also demand less use of the Coal, Gas and Nuclear power stations. No doubt they would also find a complaint about a safe and efficient Fission Reactor when the technology is introducedJames Doyle, Leicester, UK |
| Perhaps the designers of this barge should read your excellent article on the use of a parasail in shipping vessels. It seems that a least 3 sails could be employed on this type of vessel.Justin Askins, Naples, FL USA | Perhaps the designers of this barge should read your excellent article on the use of a parasail in shipping vessels. It seems that a least 3 sails could be employed on this type of vessel.Justin Askins, Naples, FL USA |
| What an absolutely fantastic piece of engineeringRoo, Reading | What an absolutely fantastic piece of engineeringRoo, Reading |
| Amazing, but there's really nothing fundamentally new about these vessels. The offshore oil and gas industry has been using jack-up rigs for many years in relatively shallow water. The principle is the same and I'll warrant that most of the technology for these vessels comes from the offshore hydrocarbon industry. Interesting, isn't it, how the technology developed in one energy industry is being used in another energy industry that seeks to supplant (or at least complement) the first?John Levins, Rome, Italy (ex of Kuwait) | Amazing, but there's really nothing fundamentally new about these vessels. The offshore oil and gas industry has been using jack-up rigs for many years in relatively shallow water. The principle is the same and I'll warrant that most of the technology for these vessels comes from the offshore hydrocarbon industry. Interesting, isn't it, how the technology developed in one energy industry is being used in another energy industry that seeks to supplant (or at least complement) the first?John Levins, Rome, Italy (ex of Kuwait) |
| Wind turbines are very good, both onshore and offshore. The engineering technology behind them is very complicated and quite advanced (having worked for a wind turbine company in a previous job).Can you please stop referring to them as Windmills though as they are not used for milling anymore. These are wind turbines and not windmills. (A windmill is a mill which uses the wind to grind the corn)Ian Millignton, Loughborough | Wind turbines are very good, both onshore and offshore. The engineering technology behind them is very complicated and quite advanced (having worked for a wind turbine company in a previous job).Can you please stop referring to them as Windmills though as they are not used for milling anymore. These are wind turbines and not windmills. (A windmill is a mill which uses the wind to grind the corn)Ian Millignton, Loughborough |
| Awesome, I always loved Meccano.Grant Mair, Dunedin, New Zealand | |
| I have spent a lot of time working in Scandinavia and found the people there can not understand why the UK population are so against wind Turbines. They are proud of them. I look in aweM Jackson, Dudley | I have spent a lot of time working in Scandinavia and found the people there can not understand why the UK population are so against wind Turbines. They are proud of them. I look in aweM Jackson, Dudley |
| I've seen Resolution working off the Skeggy coast - it's quite a sight to see. Especially at night.James Hardaker, Skegness, UK | |
| I've been trying to figure this one out for a while. Thanks for the informative article.Its just a pity the UK shipyards cannot produce such vessels as MPIO Resolution. They'd have a lucrative market thereA point, often forgotten, is the time factor in building these wind farms. For all that the detractors talk about the relative cost compared to Nuclear power, they ignore the decades required in time to build and decommission Nuclear, compared to the few months obviously needed for an offshore wind farm.Why do we always come back to the bottom line of the costs spreadsheet, why not the relative benefit?Steve Brereton, York, UK | I've been trying to figure this one out for a while. Thanks for the informative article.Its just a pity the UK shipyards cannot produce such vessels as MPIO Resolution. They'd have a lucrative market thereA point, often forgotten, is the time factor in building these wind farms. For all that the detractors talk about the relative cost compared to Nuclear power, they ignore the decades required in time to build and decommission Nuclear, compared to the few months obviously needed for an offshore wind farm.Why do we always come back to the bottom line of the costs spreadsheet, why not the relative benefit?Steve Brereton, York, UK |
| What a superb piece of marine engineering - awesome. Where can I order one?Hugh, London | What a superb piece of marine engineering - awesome. Where can I order one?Hugh, London |
| I like to put a wind turbine in my garden. A planning permission is required, which I think is headache, and costly. Why does the govt not make it easier, so people like me can get one is fitted, and benefit from it.Mukarram, Bolton | I like to put a wind turbine in my garden. A planning permission is required, which I think is headache, and costly. Why does the govt not make it easier, so people like me can get one is fitted, and benefit from it.Mukarram, Bolton |
| How long will it take for these ships to off-set the amount of energy it took to fabricate them?Joe Harris, Lampeter | How long will it take for these ships to off-set the amount of energy it took to fabricate them?Joe Harris, Lampeter |
| I was so pleased to read this as I have often wondered how its done. Big ThanksJim, Cumbria | |
| £60m? Is there a reason why the barge could not have been built here? Or is it so we can meet our carbon targets here? It's good to know that we and our businesses are moving manufacturing to a country that has such an appalling human rights record. Thom , Reigate | £60m? Is there a reason why the barge could not have been built here? Or is it so we can meet our carbon targets here? It's good to know that we and our businesses are moving manufacturing to a country that has such an appalling human rights record. Thom , Reigate |
| I boarded this very vessel through work a year or so ago when it was owned by another company. It was then called the Mayflower Resolution. It was berthed at Mostyn Dock in North Wales. A very impressive vessel and quite big Anon, Liverpool | I boarded this very vessel through work a year or so ago when it was owned by another company. It was then called the Mayflower Resolution. It was berthed at Mostyn Dock in North Wales. A very impressive vessel and quite big Anon, Liverpool |
| Why do we have to use foreign shipyards, whatever happened to our own?Laurie Chapman, Cambridge, England | Why do we have to use foreign shipyards, whatever happened to our own?Laurie Chapman, Cambridge, England |
| Amazing engineering. bring it on wind, wave, tidal, solar, geothermal etcWe're awash with free energy, the sooner we harness enough to replace carbon fuels AND the expensive and polluting nuclear power the sooner we will have a warm, cosy, clean and secure energy supply without having to rely on or be at the whim of hostile gas/oil exporters. Simon Wolfers, Harlech, Cymru | |
| Impressive stuff, and its got me intrigued. How are the turbines held in place on the sea bed - what stops them falling over? Alistiae, Sheffield | Impressive stuff, and its got me intrigued. How are the turbines held in place on the sea bed - what stops them falling over? Alistiae, Sheffield |
| Wow, Great engineering, and safer than nuclear power.Karen, Ashton-under-Lyne UK | Wow, Great engineering, and safer than nuclear power.Karen, Ashton-under-Lyne UK |
| It would be interesting to be informed of the energy required to construct the barges, the turbines, and to install these, and the related power transfer cables Then relate this to the time required to reclaim this energy as turbine outputbrian.ballard@homecall.co.uk | It would be interesting to be informed of the energy required to construct the barges, the turbines, and to install these, and the related power transfer cables Then relate this to the time required to reclaim this energy as turbine outputbrian.ballard@homecall.co.uk |
| How are turbines built at sea? Well, we're not much wiser after reading this item. What are the wind turbine foundations made from? How are they fixed to the sea bed? How is the tower fixed to the foundations? Lots of detail about six-legged ships but the basic question posed in the main page link is unanswered.Michael, Amersham - England | How are turbines built at sea? Well, we're not much wiser after reading this item. What are the wind turbine foundations made from? How are they fixed to the sea bed? How is the tower fixed to the foundations? Lots of detail about six-legged ships but the basic question posed in the main page link is unanswered.Michael, Amersham - England |
| Maybe new to wind turbines, but the offshore oil industry has been using jack-ups for decades. All over the world. Hundreds of them. Did we really keep it so quiet?Don Wilson, Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan | |
| Fascinating! I have always wondered how offshore turbines are installed. It's good news for the environment, and is it just me, or does £60m for something so incredibly specialised seem like a bargain these daysDelicious Edwards, Lagos, Nigeria | Fascinating! I have always wondered how offshore turbines are installed. It's good news for the environment, and is it just me, or does £60m for something so incredibly specialised seem like a bargain these daysDelicious Edwards, Lagos, Nigeria |
| Whilst I agree that we need to build these offshore wind farms, why on earth are we buying specialist ships made in China? Surely we have plenty of ship yards more than capable of building these ships in the UK. The government should do everything in its power to ensure the ships are designed and built locally to support the shipbuilding industry and communities in the UKDavid Ewbank, Ashby de la Zouch, UK | Whilst I agree that we need to build these offshore wind farms, why on earth are we buying specialist ships made in China? Surely we have plenty of ship yards more than capable of building these ships in the UK. The government should do everything in its power to ensure the ships are designed and built locally to support the shipbuilding industry and communities in the UKDavid Ewbank, Ashby de la Zouch, UK |
| Fantastic - what an amazing achievementStephen Deaves, London | Fantastic - what an amazing achievementStephen Deaves, London |
| We need more wind farms, I get fed up of people complaining about how they look. Maybe they should think about how everything will look if climate change goes haywireSteve, Sheffield | We need more wind farms, I get fed up of people complaining about how they look. Maybe they should think about how everything will look if climate change goes haywireSteve, Sheffield |
| We should be building our own barges.We once had the shipyards and skills to do it.If this is the future we are missing out on a great opportunity. Who is building the turbines?Mr Phil Disley, Bolton, UK | We should be building our own barges.We once had the shipyards and skills to do it.If this is the future we are missing out on a great opportunity. Who is building the turbines?Mr Phil Disley, Bolton, UK |
| What a superb insight into how wind farms are placed in the ocean. Fantastic engineering to see & photographs, especially the jack-up barge on the Thames. I do hope this is one way of helping our environment's have also forwarded this to my younger brother in Woodland Hills. California. Thank you .Gwenfyl (74)Gwenfyl Edwards, Wrexham/ North Wales | What a superb insight into how wind farms are placed in the ocean. Fantastic engineering to see & photographs, especially the jack-up barge on the Thames. I do hope this is one way of helping our environment's have also forwarded this to my younger brother in Woodland Hills. California. Thank you .Gwenfyl (74)Gwenfyl Edwards, Wrexham/ North Wales |
| I'm all for renewable energy, but how much energy is required, and what is the environmental impact, of building these barges, let alone the wind turbines? Have the environmentalists and politicians really considered all the costs?Jon, Ipswich | I'm all for renewable energy, but how much energy is required, and what is the environmental impact, of building these barges, let alone the wind turbines? Have the environmentalists and politicians really considered all the costs?Jon, Ipswich |
| I was wondering how they were installing the wind turbines at sea.For anyone who thinks that electricity from wind power is too expensive, please remember that electricity from fossil fuels is sold for less than it is actually worth.Andrew, Tolworth, UK. | I was wondering how they were installing the wind turbines at sea.For anyone who thinks that electricity from wind power is too expensive, please remember that electricity from fossil fuels is sold for less than it is actually worth.Andrew, Tolworth, UK. |
| I see lots of comments about how it would be great to build such 'wonders' in the UK. I've got news for you: jack-up barges were built in the Clyde for 30 years, at the old John Brown Shipyard at Clydebank. I should know - I surveyed them and took them down the river for most of these years. This Chinese one is purpose built and is self-propelled...more like a ship with legs than a barge but the principal is the same. Former jack-ups could not be used as it would be too costly to modify them and remove the drilling derrick. This one is a 'mini'. Some of the Clyde-built ones were very big indeed having legs over 500 ft. in length. Incidentally; a maximum penetration of 5 foot is a dream unless the wind turbines are situated in one special location vis-a-vis sea bed formation. "I know 'cause I was there".Capt. Jim Currie, Glasgow | |
| Why not put the turbines on the sea bed? Sea water is over 800 times denser than air and a non-compressible medium, so an 8 knot tidal current is the equivalent of a 390 km/hr wind speed. And tidal power is predictable to the minute for centuries ahead.Alan Burnham, Perth Australia | Why not put the turbines on the sea bed? Sea water is over 800 times denser than air and a non-compressible medium, so an 8 knot tidal current is the equivalent of a 390 km/hr wind speed. And tidal power is predictable to the minute for centuries ahead.Alan Burnham, Perth Australia |
| I love the idea of offshore windfarms, not only does this aid renewable energy but this will help the marine ecosystems recover from the over fishing of the last generation and provide long term spawning grounds for much of our marine wildlife which needs our protection also.Jez, Portsmouth | |
| My mum told me they planted little wind turbine seeds Lee, Liverpool | My mum told me they planted little wind turbine seeds Lee, Liverpool |
| Thanks for this wonderful story, it is mesmerizing, I have long been wondering how these giant turbine towers are planted in the sea bed.Bouba, london | Thanks for this wonderful story, it is mesmerizing, I have long been wondering how these giant turbine towers are planted in the sea bed.Bouba, london |
| The energy needed to build these barges and turbines is probably comparable to the energy needed to build and decommission conventional power stations. With a tiny fraction of the carbon emissions required to produce the energy. But I'm not an expert so cannot definitely comment. Similarly, those who complain about the relatively high cost of wind power should consider that this will almost certainly decrease as the technology becomes more standard and less novel, a la computers in the last thirty years and cars over the last century. Matt, Norwich, UK | The energy needed to build these barges and turbines is probably comparable to the energy needed to build and decommission conventional power stations. With a tiny fraction of the carbon emissions required to produce the energy. But I'm not an expert so cannot definitely comment. Similarly, those who complain about the relatively high cost of wind power should consider that this will almost certainly decrease as the technology becomes more standard and less novel, a la computers in the last thirty years and cars over the last century. Matt, Norwich, UK |
| The 'Resolution' is soon to start installing 54 turbines on the bases put in the Wash last year. It will bring six from Denmark, install them and return to Denmark for another six - what a carbon footprintRoy Malt, Skegness | |
| You forgot to mention that it fell over recentlyAlex, Cumbria | You forgot to mention that it fell over recentlyAlex, Cumbria |
| This project, and others like it, can make an immense contribution to what should be a determined and single-minded policy of energy self-sufficiency. This is a volatile world in which we are increasingly becoming dependant on others for our energy. Tomorrows conflicts will be fought through gas pipes and energy reserves, so let's be dependant on no-one.Mike Wilks, Ruardean, Forest of Dean | This project, and others like it, can make an immense contribution to what should be a determined and single-minded policy of energy self-sufficiency. This is a volatile world in which we are increasingly becoming dependant on others for our energy. Tomorrows conflicts will be fought through gas pipes and energy reserves, so let's be dependant on no-one.Mike Wilks, Ruardean, Forest of Dean |
| The Resolutions original owners went into receivership even before the ship was complete.Its new owners are a local company who keep it based on the Tees and now have long term contracts to install windfarms.We should do more to ensure that people with the vision to keep such projects alive are encouraged to do so and put Britain in the lead in this field.Paul Langham, Middlesbrough/UK | |
| This is an irrelevance - we should build our own wave platforms to operate off the Outer Hebrides. What happened to Salter's Duck and other relevant technologies that are more suited our maritime geography ?R Burgess, Manchester | |
| I don't care if its a little more expensive to produce. That will only be short term until more and more wind farms enter into service.Renewable energy sources MUST be of the highest priority. Nuclear Core bunkers, covering them in thick concrete and leaving them for our children to sort out is NOT an answer, and makes me feel quite sick that my generation have promoted this.Ian, Bristol | |
| Shame there was no mention of the engineersFiona, Essex | |
| Looks like great piece of cross over of Oil & GAs technology. I just wonder if the maintenance of these structures will require equally as large an investment in specialised equipment? . Turbines will go wrong and weather being what it is will cause WOW ( Waiting on Weather) to be a major performance issue as it is for the Oil & Gas Business offshore. You can imagine the HSSE issues getting people up there to work on repairs and routine care. Mike, Aberdeen | |