U.S., British team for offshore wind

LONDON, April 23 (UPI) -- Floating wind turbines in deep waters are the subject of planned agreements between the U.S. and British governments, British officials said Monday.

"Offshore wind is critical for the U.K.'s energy future and there is big interest around the world in what we're doing," British Energy Secretary Edward Davey said in a statement. "Floating wind turbines will allow us to exploit more of our wind resource, potentially more cheaply."

The U.S. and British governments are expected to work together on floating wind energy platforms in deep waters, which handicap the construction of conventional wind-turbine platforms.

The British Department of Energy and Climate Change said the wind potential in areas of water depths of 200 feet or more is greater than in shallow waters.

The U.S. Department of Energy has said it would offer $180 million in funding for advanced demonstration projects for floating wind platforms in U.S. waters. London is in the process of commissioning a $40.3 million demonstrator project of its own.

"Turbines will be able to locate in ever deeper waters where the wind is stronger but without the expense of foundations down to the seabed or having to undertake major repairs out at sea," added Davey.

London this week is the site of a clean-energy summit. U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu is the co-host for the meeting along with Davey.