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Next year, developers hope to start building offshore wind turbines in the U.S., which is already a leader in on-land wind generation. As turbines spin off the coast in a dozen other countries, particularly the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany, global offshore wind capacity has expanded nearly six-fold since 2006. Most of these installations are in shallow water though winds are stronger out further. If the U.S. is to have offshore turbines, many residents want them distant enough so they can?t be seen or heard. And environmentalists hope wind farms won?t interfere with birds and marine life. The latter domestic variables, along with making the price of offshore power competitive with traditional shore-based power sources, have slowed the birth of offshore wind here at home. That situation could be changing very soon and some U.S.-based rms are already in the game. LOUISIANA-BUILT VESSEL INSTALLED UK T URBINESU.S. companies have been supplying vessels for offshore wind in other nations. Semco LLC in La tte, La., got involved awhile ago. Allen Moore, general manager at Semco, said last month ?we nished building the 280-foot, KS Titan 2 in 2009, and it set up 35 to 40 wind turbine units on England?s east coast in 2009 to 2010.? ?Titan 2 has 280-foot legs and can work in depths of 220 feet,? he said. ?Its large deck space, leg length and dual 200- ton cranes were assets in developing the turbine farm. Our associate company, Seatrax in Houston, designed the cranes that are on mounted legs to create more working deck area.? Moore continued ?Titan 2 can place wind towers in subsea soil, lift the towers and install blades. It?s pretty well self- Gearing Up Gearing Up For U.S. Offshore Wind Power For U.S. Offshore Wind Power Gearing Up Gearing Up For U.S. Offshore Wind Power For U.S. Offshore Wind Power By Susan Buc By Susan Buchanan hananImage Above: PaciÞ c Orca, built by Samsung Heavy Indus- tries, is the worldÕs largest wind-farm installation vessel. (Photo Courtesy Samsung Heavy Industries) 22 MNDecember 2012
