Offshore Wind Turbines May Not Be Tough Enough To Endure Mother Nature – ABC2 News

The U.S. is new to offshore wind turbines. As recently as 2016, the country's first commercial wind farm went live, and the governmentapproved 11 commercial leasesfor farms along the Atlantic Coast.

But there are potential dangers.

Because forecasters predict a busier-than-usual Atlantic hurricane season, scientists wonder if these turbines can weather the weather. Researchers think half of all new turbines in risky areas willbe destroyed20 years after they're built.

A new studyconcluded wind speeds for Category 5 hurricanes could average 90 meters per second. If that's right, offshore turbines might be toast.

SEE MORE: Some Coal Miners In Wyoming Might Soon Be Farming Wind Instead

International standards suggest turbines should withstand speeds of 50 meters per second but that only accounts for hurricanes up to Category 2.

The study's authors said manufacturers should keep these results in mind when designing turbines.

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Offshore Wind Turbines May Not Be Tough Enough To Endure Mother Nature - ABC2 News