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What is the difference between onshore and offshore winds?

seo-qna
Last updated date: 20th Sep 2024
Total views: 354.9k
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Answer
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Hint: As we know that the wind is the flow of gases on a large scale. On the surface of the Earth, wind consists of the bulk movement of air. Winds are commonly classified by their spatial scale, their speed and direction, the types of forces that cause them, the regions in which they occur, and their effect.

Complete answer:
Onshore wind is the one that blows from the sea towards the land whereas offshore wind is the type of wind that blows from the land towards the sea. Offshore wind harvesting came into existence nearly $100$ years after the invention of onshore wind energy. The main difference between onshore and offshore energy is their not even market penetration. On shore brings moisture with them and they blow during day time while offshore winds are the kind of dry wind that blow during night time. Offshore winds are also caused because of the difference in temperature and pressure of the land and the sea or water body. There are pros and cons for these types of winds. Offshore and onshore winds are stronger and steadier winds, they usually have less turbulence and less vertical shear and these winds are more spatially consistent. But with these advantages there comes disadvantages as well. Offshore and onshore winds interact with waves and also offshore winds are hard to measure. The speed offshore wind is higher and more constant on the other hand they are harder to maintain and access.

Note:
As we know that the onshore has moderate speed wind turbines while offshore has high wind speed turbines. Onshore wind can cause damage to human life while it is unlikely in case of offshore winds. Onshore wind causes low erosion on the other hand high erosion is caused by offshore wind.