Sale jumpstarts floating, offshore wind power in US waters
The cost of developing offshore wind has dropped 60% since 2010 according to a July report by the International Renewable Energy Agency. Offshore wind is well established in the U.K. and some other countries but is just beginning to ramp up off America’s coasts, and this is the nation's first foray into floating wind turbines. Europe has some floating offshore wind — a project in the North Sea has been operating since 2017 — but the potential for the technology is huge in areas of strong wind off America's coasts, said Josh Kaplowitz, vice president of offshore wind at the American Clean Power Association. President Joe Biden set a goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030 using traditional technology that secures wind turbines to the ocean floor, enough to power 10 million homes. Then the administration announced plans in September to develop floating platforms that could vastly expand offshore wind in the United States.
wftv.comThere's still a way to reach global goal on climate change
It's not the goal that world leaders say they really want: 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) since pre-industrial times. “Neither do we have a margin of error (on barely limiting to 2 degrees) nor do the pledges put us on a path close to 1.5 degrees,” Meinshausen said. So the world has recently tried to make the 1.5 degrees goal possible. Earth has already warmed at least 1.1 degrees Celsius (2 degrees Fahrenheit) since pre-industrial times, often considered the late 1800s, so 2 degrees of warming really means another 0.9 degrees Celsius (1.6 degrees Fahrenheit) hotter than now. ___Follow AP's climate coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate___Follow Seth Borenstein on Twitter at @borenbears___Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations.
wftv.comStudy: Keeping climate pledges limits warming to 2 degrees
It's not the goal that world leaders say they really want: 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) since pre-industrial times. That assumes of course that the countries follow through on the promises,” said study lead author Malte Meinshausen, a University of Melbourne climate scientist. “Neither do we have a margin of error (on barely limiting to 2 degrees) nor do the pledges put us on a path close to 1.5 degrees,” Meinshausen said. So the world has recently tried to make the 1.5 degrees goal possible. Earth has already warmed at least 1.1 degrees Celsius (2 degrees Fahrenheit) since pre-industrial times, often considered the late 1800s, so 2 degrees of warming really means another 0.9 degrees Celsius (1.6 degrees Fahrenheit) hotter than now.
wftv.comReport: Offshore wind supply chain worth $109B over 10 years
Offshore Wind Equipment Investment FILE - Wind turbines spin to generate electrical power in Atlantic City, N.J., on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. A report released Tuesday, Oct. 12 by a group studying the economics of the offshore wind industry predicts that the industry’s supply chain will be worth $109 billion over the next decade. One caveat: the report notes that most of the initial components to be used for U.S. offshore wind projects will come from Europe. The U.S. has set a goal of generating 30 gigawatts of power from offshore wind by 2030 — enough to power over 10 million homes. Offshore wind energy is viewed as a way to combat climate change by providing the globe with cleaner energy.
wftv.comHigh fire danger, dangerous ocean conditions continue Saturday
The wind will continue to be gusty Saturday which will help fuel an elevated wildfire risk. Any fires that start will spread easily. The breeze off of the ocean will help to create a few stray showers, mainly along the coast, but most of Central Florida will be dry with a mix of clouds and sun.
Windy Saturday, dangerous beach weekend coming to Central Florida
The wind will be the lone hiccup inland to an otherwise comfortable Saturday. Highs Saturday climb into the low-to-mid 80s with afternoon clouds building. Along the coast, a few coastal showers will be possible with the breeze off of the Atlantic.
Increased fire danger expected across Central Florida
A Red Flag Warning means there is an increased risk for fires to start and spread. ORLANDO, Fla. – A Red Flag Warning is in effect for areas along and southeast of I-4 through Thursday evening. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are occurring now or will shortly. The combination of low relative humidity and strong winds can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Rainfall update since JanuaryThe dry vegetation combined with low relative humidities will create an enhanced fire risk Thursday.
How wind power is leading America's energy transition
Wind is now America's top renewable source of electricity generation. 2020 in particular was a banner year for wind power in the U.S., with more capacity installed in the final quarter of 2020 alone than in all of 2019. Now, the total capacity exceeds 120,000 MW, enough to power about 38 million homes. Essentially all of that growth was in the onshore wind sector. But for all the promise of wind power, there are some concerns that have persisted over the years, impeding the expansion of both onshore and offshore turbines.
cnbc.comLIVE RADAR: Tornado Watch expires for Central Florida, isolated strong storms still possible
The Tornado Watch that had been in effect has been allowed to expire for all of Central Florida. SEVERE WEATHER THREAT SUNDAY MORNINGA cold front is moving through Central Florida producing downpours and storms. A few storms could be strong through the late morning, but the severe threat is lowering across Central Florida. An isolated damaging wind gust or brief tornado is still possible southeast of I-4, but the severe weather threat has come to an end along and northwest of I-4. Future radarMost of Central Florida is dry by noon.
Prepare for a dangerous weekend at Florida’s East Coast beaches
ORLANDO, Fla. – Behind the cold front that has drastically dropped temperatures across all of Central Florida Friday, the wind associated with the front continues churning up the Atlantic. It is advised not to enter the ocean through the weekend as the surf and rip current threat will be extremely high. A high surf advisory is in effect through at least Sunday morning. Small craft advisoryFor boaters, a small craft advisory is in effect through Sunday morning. Wave heights off the coast of Florida are expected to be in the 10 to 15 foot range.
Florida man says wind blew cocaine into his car
FORT PIERCE, Fla. – That darn wind is always causing trouble, especially for "Florida Man." A man pulled over by police in Fort Pierce last month claimed the cocaine residue found inside a Budweiser can along with a crack pipe was blown there by the wind, according to News 6 sister station WPLG. Police noticed Joseph Zak, 37, appeared to be trying to discard an item when he was stopped for failing to pause at a stop sign, The Smoking Gun reports. When cops asked Zak about the white residue inside the can which eventually tested positive for crack cocaine, he told them "the police or the wind must have placed it there." Zak was arrested and jailed.