locations for offshore wind” title=”Baseline facility suitability scores in 90th percentile of all alternatives under the A) stakeholder and B) developer paradigms. C) Consensus areas (green) indicate considerable overlap on the East Coast, illustrating vast agreement, yet some existing wind development zones are excluded. Existing wind sites are also marked (pink/red). Credit: Santarromana et al.” width=”800″ height=”472″/>Understanding Optimal Sites for Offshore Wind Energy
The selection of appropriate locations and dimensions for offshore wind energy installations hinges on two crucial factors: environmental conditions and community acceptance.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Site Suitability
In a recent study published in PNAS Nexus, Rudolph Santarromana and his team employed a spatial multi-criteria approach that integrates techno-economic factors with socio-environmental considerations, evaluating a wide array of issues such as aesthetic impact, fishing activities, marine ecosystems, and maritime traffic.
Developer vs. Stakeholder Perspectives
The findings revealed that while 58% of potential development sites meet the criteria from a developer’s viewpoint (focusing on economic efficiency), merely 18% align with the preferences of various external stakeholders concerned with social and environmental implications.
A review of historical offshore wind proposals indicates that nearly all previous projects fall within areas deemed suitable by developers; however many—including the now-defunct Cape Wind initiative in Nantucket Sound—are located in regions considered unacceptable from stakeholder perspectives. The research has identified consensus zones which are likely to be regarded as appropriate by both developers and external parties across the East Coast, presenting an opportunity to harness up to 600 GW of power production.
Challenges on the West Coast
Conversely, viable collective zones are limited along the West Coast where there is only an estimated capacity potential of 5 GW due to deeper waters restricting possible site allocation. Advanced solutions such as unanchored floating turbines combined with hydrogen production technology—eliminating transmission cable needs—might broaden available consensus regions despite requiring higher initial investments. To foster more environmentally sound developments, current investment tax incentives could play a pivotal role.
The Shift Towards Smaller Projects
The authors further conclude that although larger offshore projects are becoming increasingly popular within the industry framework due to their scale efficiencies, opting for smaller developments can minimize unpredictability regarding their ecological footprint. These smaller-scale initiatives may offer greater resilience and adaptability when implemented across diverse geographic locations. Consequently, it is advisable for developers to prioritize these consensus regions while also considering reduced project sizes when planning new offshore installations.
For further investigation:
Rudolph Santarromana et al., “Multicriteria models provide enhanced insight for siting US offshore wind,” PNAS Nexus (2025). Available at academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/art … 93/pnasnexus/pgaf051
This information is courtesy of PNAS Nexus.
Citation: Balancing techno-economic considerations alongside socio-environmental aspects in site selection for offshore wind facilities (March 4th, 2025), retrieved March 4th from https://techxplore.com/news/2025-03-techno-economic-socio-environmental-factors.html
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