Who would have thought that we would be able to produce electricity with waves? The movement of the oceans is the largest power plant on the planet – and, best of all, it is natural. Yet we haven’t been able to harness it until now: so we’re ready to cover the sea with solar panels in America, and the world is on tenterhooks.

The proposal that will provide electricity to one million New Yorkers: Empire Wind Project

Offshore wind power is an emerging renewable energy source in the United States. The country’s first commercial-scale offshore wind farm became operational in 2016 off the coast of Rhode Island.

Since then, multiple large-scale offshore wind projects have been proposed along the eastern seaboard. One major initiative is the Empire Wind project off the coast of New York.

Empire Wind is a large offshore wind development being pursued by Equinor, one of the world’s largest energy companies. The project consists of two phases, Empire Wind 1 and Empire Wind 2, which together will generate over 2,000 megawatts of renewable electricity.

That’s enough to power over 1 million New York homes. This wind power will help the state meet its ambitious clean energy goals and combat climate change. If approved and constructed, the Empire Wind project would become the largest offshore wind installation in the United States.

A glimpse of this innovative project: 2000 MW with an eye on 2030

The Empire Wind Project is a large offshore wind development being built off the coast of New York. The project is being developed by Equinor, one of the world’s largest energy companies, in partnership with BP, another global energy company.

The Empire Wind project consists of two phases – Empire Wind 1 and Empire Wind 2. Empire Wind 1 will have a capacity of 816 megawatts (MW) and is located 15-30 miles southeast of Long Island. Construction began in 2022, with operations expected to start in 2028.

Empire Wind 2 will have a capacity of at least 1,260 MW and will be located adjacent to Empire Wind 1. Construction is slated to begin in the mid-2020s, with operations commencing in the early 2030s.

Together, the two phases represent a multibillion dollar investment and will provide New York with over 2 gigawatts of renewable offshore wind energy. This is a key part of New York’s plan to meet its goal of getting 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

High-tech wind energy: here’s what we’re going to get in America

The Empire Wind Project will utilize state-of-the-art wind turbine technology to maximize energy production. The turbines will be manufactured by Vestas, a global leader in sustainable energy solutions.

Vestas’ V236-15.0 MW turbines will be installed at Empire Wind. These turbines have a massive 236 meter rotor diameter and are designed specifically for offshore use. They utilize innovative technologies like a two-piece blade design to improve efficiency.

The nacelle, which contains the generator, is able to yaw 360 degrees to orient the turbine into the wind. Advanced control systems maximize power output by constantly adjusting the blade pitch and turbine orientation.

The turbines are also designed for resilience, with corrosion resistant coatings and materials to withstand the harsh offshore environment. Built-in condition monitoring helps predict maintenance needs to minimize downtime.

Vestas’ industry-leading offshore wind turbines will help ensure Empire Wind generates clean, renewable electricity reliably and efficiently. The project utilizes cutting-edge wind power technology and innovation.

As you can see, producing electricity with waves will be easier than ever, now that we have been able to take advantage of the movement of the tides. The key is to make the most of our planet’s potential, with sustainable resources that require proper planning. In America we already have it, and we are going for it with an innovative proposal.