These large floating platforms can have wave power generators built into the base in order to double the power output per platform. And tidal current generators extending below them.

For energy storage try this idea, electric plugin cars, trucks, trains, buses... as a national distributed battery. Each home or business with plugin vehicles would also have it's own emergency power ... grid outage due to increasing weather volatility is a very signifigant fact eroding economic health.

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog/_archives/2005/12/19/1455214.html

Floating platforms are also further offshore where NIMBYs will not see them. And placed in the path of pond net fishing fleets could save the national fisheries from this destructive industrial fishing that is scouring the seas of life... killing off 1000s of species in order to harvest a few to extinction for short term bottonline considerations.

No other solution...negotiation, threats.. have been effective in stopping this grave threat to all ocean based life.

The more selective, careful fishing techniques of responsible fishermen, regulated by environmental laws, will then protect a stable, sustainable food resource.

These smaller operators are being shut out by the illegal pond net fishing.

"Floating platforms are also further offshore where NIMBYs will not see them. And placed in the path of pond net fishing fleets could save the national fisheries from this destructive industrial fishing that is scouring the seas of life..."

ROFLMAO ... First, the breathless hyperbole overstates the case so much much it detracts from the message. Second ... As if boats cant figure out how to go *around* these platforms... but it raises one interesting point. oil drilling platforms have been great places for congregations of sea life.
It may be possible that these wind platforms would also become areas of increased sea life.

Which gets back to another point ... if we can have windmills offshore with no problem, why not drill for natural gas offshore. No problems with that either. You've never heard of a natural gas spill. And if they get in the way of bad fishing habits, allsthe better.

The guys at the BBC, as well as French news, have stumbled upon this plan. They will be miles offshore, and according to presentations, may be partly or completely out of sight. If successful, the North American Pacific coast from Californian Monterey to Alaskan Prince of Wales Islands are good candidates for a US/Canadian pilot project. So would the Great Lakes and off the US Northeast/Canadian Maritimes.

we are one of the wind farmers in India. We would like to know the technical details of deep sea floating wind farms/machineries, generation, costing etc. Pls. update us by mail, if possible.