Hydroelectricity has its source in the flow of water. In the U. S. and elsewhere, dams provide the fall of water that turns the turbines.

Statoil (Norway) uses the term Hy-wind for wind-driven floating turbines; Dogger Bank (Yorkshire), Sheringham Shoal (UK) have turbines offshore.

The first floating wind turbine is off the coast of Norway (Statoil), the first in deep water. These wind and tide driven turbines can be considered "solar" if that term is extended to all systems that ultimately depend on the sun.

Statoil is expert in offshore oil exploration and recovery, and is expanding its energy-producing efforts to wind and water power.

Contrary to the Luddite and deprecatory remarks aimed at "Big Oil" and other major concerns (Phillips, etc.) in general, some of these companies are researching and developing renewable energy sources, along with the smaller, start-up concerns who are researching and developing wind and solar potential. Some of these, like Statoil, a "Biggie", are far along in their research and pilot plant efforts.

http://www.statoil.com and look for their links to their new technology and new energy sources.

The object of all major energy companies is to give their many millions of investors (direct, through banks, trusts, pension funds, coops, etc.) a return on investment. Some are wedded to petroleum because of their large holdings of reserves but others will look to all sources of potential revenue.