Floating wind turbine to be piloted

A wind turbine that floats in the sea is to be erected off the coast of Italy, it has been reported.

According to the Guardian, UK firm Blue H has developed the device, which will be almost unseen in utilising the strong winds out at sea.

More energy is expected to be generated in this way compared to conventional wind turbines on land and more are expected to follow.

Neal Bastick, head of Blue H, said that the firm hopes to construct a series of similar turbines off the coast of Scotland and the north-east of the US.

"Within a few years I would very much like to be placing these off Britain," he said.

He added that the sea-faring turbines are more economical to install despite the fact that they would be located in water of between 50 and 300 metres deep.

Electricity is sent back to land through underwater cables.

A hydrocarbon balancing plant is in the planning stages in Ayrshire, which would provide a constant stream of power from both wind and hydrogen power.