Offshore Wind 101: How Does Offshore Wind Power Reach My Home?
Did you know that each turbine in the Vineyard Wind 1 project can generate 13 megawatts of electricity? With 62 turbines, that’s 806 megawatts—enough to power more than 400,000 homes.
With offshore wind projects located 13 miles from shore, it can be difficult to imagine how the wind energy generated at sea finds its way to land and homes, powering our lives day after day.
The system that brings energy from offshore wind projects onto the electrical grid is complex. Deeply buried cables carry power from the turbines to onshore substations. While the basic transmission system for offshore wind is similar to conventional energy sources, offshore wind often delivers power closer to where it’s needed—reducing the need for major land-based grid upgrades that would be required for similar new energy systems elsewhere.
We’re breaking it down even further—answering your questions about how energy flows from the tip of a blade to the outlets in our homes.
How does offshore wind turn into energy?
Wind is an abundant, limitless source of energy, especially in the northeast. Here’s how we capture those vast quantities of wind and convert the energy to a voltage able to travel on our grid and into our homes:
- Massive turbines are anchored to the ocean floor. Offshore wind turbines are engineered to withstand the elements; they’re secured to the seabed using foundations designed to minimize impact on marine life and ecosystems. In deeper waters, floating turbines are used, held in place by mooring lines attached to anchors on the ocean floor. At the top of each tower sits the nacelle, a hub-like structure that houses the turbine’s key mechanical components, including the generator and gearbox. Attached to the nacelle are three aerodynamic blades—each the length of a football field or more.
- Wind spins the blades, generating mechanical energy. When strong offshore winds blow, they rotate the massive blades, which in turn spin a shaft inside the nacelle. This spinning motion converts wind energy into mechanical energy, which is then transformed into electricity by the generator.
- Electricity travels via protected undersea cables. The electricity from each turbine flows through heavily insulated and buried cables to an offshore substation. These cables are carefully installed beneath the ocean floor to protect marine habitats and ensure reliability.
- Voltage is stepped up for long-distance travel. At the offshore substation, the electricity voltage is increased to prepare it for transmission over long distances. From there, the power is sent via subsea cables to an onshore landing point.
- Power flows onto the grid. Once the electricity reaches land, it arrives at an onshore substation. From there, it flows into the transmission system, traveling through familiar power lines and eventually lighting up homes, schools, and businesses with clean, renewable energy.
This entire process relies on tens of thousands of offshore wind workers leading the manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of turbines to make sure the energy reaches its destination.
How does offshore wind energy impact my electricity bill?
As energy costs and demand continue to rise in the US, offshore wind projects help consumers save on their electricity bills through lower wholesale electricity market rates and the reduction of winter electricity price spikes. This is especially critical during the colder months, when energy demand surges and the wind tends to blow more powerfully and consistently. Offshore wind’s peak generation aligns with peak winter needs, providing a stable, homegrown energy source right when it’s needed most. By adding this dependable capacity to the grid, offshore wind helps prevent blackouts and reduces our reliance on expensive, volatile fossil fuel sources that drive-up costs during extreme weather events.
How much power can offshore wind really create?
One of the key measurements for offshore wind is its “capacity factor,” a number that states how often an energy plant operates at full power. In New England, offshore wind has up to a 45% capacity factor, which contributes to a reliable and sustainable energy system.
Is wind power better than other energy options?
More than 35 miles off the coast of mainland Massachusetts, the Vineyard Wind 1 project is an example of how offshore wind can generate reliable, cost-effective energy for over 400,000 homes and businesses. Because offshore wind produces no greenhouse gas emissions—unlike oil and gas—carbon emissions are reduced by over 1.6 million tons per year, equivalent to removing 325,000 cars from the road each year.
Offshore wind doesn’t just power our homes—it helps us all breathe easier. By replacing polluting fossil fuels, offshore wind helps cut down air pollution, improving public health and reducing the burden on our healthcare system.
Did you know?
Offshore Insight
Did you know that one full blade rotation generates enough energy to power a home for 24 hours? Check out the power behind the Vineyard Wind 1 turbines and learn more about their sizing here!
