Offshore Wind Farm Basics
Inside a Turbine
The nacelle houses components to convert energy from the spinning blades into electricity. The blades are connected to shafts which transfer kinetic energy (energy of motion) to the generator through the gear box. Inside the generator, the process of electromagnetism takes place. Electromagnetism is the principle that allows for the conversion of kinetic energy into electricity. Spinning magnets around a coil of conductive wire pushes the electrons in the wire, creating an electrical current.
Energy Transmission
Just as power lines carry electricity to our homes, high-voltage undersea cables bring energy from offshore wind farms to substations, where the energy can be integrated into the electrical grid. Cable installation processes involve diverse tools, technologies, and construction methods to create infrastructure that can be resilient in harsh ocean conditions.
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