Local
Earthtalk: You ought to get used to seeing windmills
Dear EarthTalk: I don't understand why many people oppose wind power just because they have to look at the turbines. If you ask me, wind turbines are much nicer-looking than coal-fired, waste-to-energy or nuclear power plants.
-- Michael Hart, via e-mail Whether it's a wind farm, a coal-fired power plant, a nuclear reactor or even just a big box store, there are always going to be locals opposed to it, declaring "not in my back yard!" (NIMBY).
As to the attractiveness of wind farms, people do seem to come down on one side or the other rather vehemently. Those in favor of wind development have been known to extol the visual virtues of a horizon full of windmills not only for the turbines' graceful sculptural lines but also for the fact that their very presence advertises the coming of a modern, almost futuristic age of clean, renewable energy.
Writing in the online magazine Contemporary Aesthetics, Yuriko Saito waxes eloquent about the visual appeal of wind farms when created thoughtfully. "(I)t is possible to create an aesthetically pleasing effect by choosing the color, shape and height of the turbines appropriate ... to the particular landscape, making them uniform in their appearance and movement, and ... arranging them in proportion to the landscape," he says. "One writer admires the windmills in Sweden as 'graceful objects' because 'the slender airfoils seem both delicate and powerful ... while their gentle motion imparts a living kinetic nature'."
On the flip side, detractors begrudge wind turbines for destroying their views-a classic NIMBY stance. According to Saito, opposition to wind farms stems from their being sited on previously "open, unhindered lands" and as such "are viewed as machines intruding in a garden." He adds: "(T)hey are almost invariably decried as 'marring', 'spoiling', 'ruining', and 'intruding on' the otherwise relatively natural landscape, such as desert, open field, mountainside, and ... ocean, and for creating an 'eyesore.'"
Respondents to a survey by the British magazine Country Life listed wind turbines as the most egregious type of architectural blemish across England. They disliked wind farms even more than other "eyesores"--such as highway service areas, conventional power stations and ugly office buildings-because of the size of the turbines, some of which are 300 feet tall, and their intrusion on the landscape.
Opponents of a proposed wind farm in the waters of Massachusetts' Nantucket Sound cite similar gripes. The builder, Cape Wind Associates, has campaigned for seven years for approval of the development, to be located 16 miles off the shore of Nantucket Island. Homeowners, politicians and some evidently conflicted environmentalists have mounted stiff opposition to the facility, which would appear from shore as distant white smears on the horizon. The decision rests with the U.S. Interior Department which, despite stated desires to expand offshore wind energy, is taking its time on the highly contentious matter.
But with wind now the hottest renewable energy source going, those opposed to seeing windmills better get used to it. In 2008 wind power provided 1.5 percent of global electricity-having doubled its output every year now for five years in a row-and should account for as much as eight percent by 2018.
CONTACTS: Contemporary Aesthetics, www.contempaesthetics.org; Country Life, www.countrylife.co.uk; Cape Wind Associates LLC, www.capewind.org.
SEND YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS TO: EarthTalk®, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; earthtalk@emagazine.com. Read past columns at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php. EarthTalk® is now a book! Details and order information at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalkbook.
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Web site comments suspended:
june wrote on Nov 12, 2009 2:40 PM:
" Windscam,
Now why would I do a silly like that? That's like me telling you to try out a different make and model of a turbine for your own proof, because there's all kinds of makes and models out there, some of which have been in operation for years. There are Jacobs wind machines from the thirties that are producing power today. Don't worry, I'll do my research and test turbine technology on my own terms instead of believing a single disgruntled person who sounds like they've decided to give up rather than explore possibilities.
I've also read plenty of success stories that said otherwise and would like to explore the wind programs in other countries more in depth. Again, I don't have much weight alone over the large-scale non-renewable energy companies buying up the RE technologies that were once "mom and pop" operated. Whatever the intention may be, from perhaps wanting to contribute to positive productivity or stifling the manufacture/growth of renewable energy systems - I couldn't tell you either. I'm just saying any kind of considerate effort helps.
Your immediate dismissal of Wind Turbine technology (based on one manufacturer) is funny as well. There were also a lot of people laughing at the Wright Brothers when they were exploring their flight ideas. Technology (or technologies) has come along way and it seems to be moving and expanding further. Who's to say that "this is the end of the road" for any kind of technological exploration when done with respect and consideration? Wind powered systems are also used to pump water, which probably helped you or your ancestors out at one time or another so feel the cool breeze, breathe, and enjoy. "
Now why would I do a silly like that? That's like me telling you to try out a different make and model of a turbine for your own proof, because there's all kinds of makes and models out there, some of which have been in operation for years. There are Jacobs wind machines from the thirties that are producing power today. Don't worry, I'll do my research and test turbine technology on my own terms instead of believing a single disgruntled person who sounds like they've decided to give up rather than explore possibilities.
I've also read plenty of success stories that said otherwise and would like to explore the wind programs in other countries more in depth. Again, I don't have much weight alone over the large-scale non-renewable energy companies buying up the RE technologies that were once "mom and pop" operated. Whatever the intention may be, from perhaps wanting to contribute to positive productivity or stifling the manufacture/growth of renewable energy systems - I couldn't tell you either. I'm just saying any kind of considerate effort helps.
Your immediate dismissal of Wind Turbine technology (based on one manufacturer) is funny as well. There were also a lot of people laughing at the Wright Brothers when they were exploring their flight ideas. Technology (or technologies) has come along way and it seems to be moving and expanding further. Who's to say that "this is the end of the road" for any kind of technological exploration when done with respect and consideration? Wind powered systems are also used to pump water, which probably helped you or your ancestors out at one time or another so feel the cool breeze, breathe, and enjoy. "
WindScam wrote on Nov 11, 2009 6:56 PM:
" June, dump the solar panels and live by your wonderful windmill. If you can't, there's the proof in the proverbial pudding. Oh, you can't? Guess your windmills aren't all they're cracked up to be. Funny how you think the SAME corporations destroying the planet are suddenly helping the planet if they dump a couple bucks into some rinky-dink windmill. Guess it's all in how much people such as yourself choose to ignore reality. "
june wrote on Nov 11, 2009 4:23 PM:
" Windscam,
It's called positivity. I'm not a large-scale business owner or anyone with monetary stature so I have no control over turbine manufacturers, china, etc. At least there are entities trying to help the planet. Businesses owe that to their clients but I guess money and power are pretty big motivators. Maybe also because the majority of Earth's inhabitants aren't demanding it either. Why may that be? Lack of education? Greed? Or in your case, submission to your "reality"?
As for personal turbine construction, anyone can do if they really want to. Mind over matter. Check it out sometime, try not to limit yourself.
My home is powered by solar and soon to be wind power as I am in the middle of my research.
Have fun playing with your ball by yourself. : )
Also, nuclear power is poisonous. "
It's called positivity. I'm not a large-scale business owner or anyone with monetary stature so I have no control over turbine manufacturers, china, etc. At least there are entities trying to help the planet. Businesses owe that to their clients but I guess money and power are pretty big motivators. Maybe also because the majority of Earth's inhabitants aren't demanding it either. Why may that be? Lack of education? Greed? Or in your case, submission to your "reality"?
As for personal turbine construction, anyone can do if they really want to. Mind over matter. Check it out sometime, try not to limit yourself.
My home is powered by solar and soon to be wind power as I am in the middle of my research.
Have fun playing with your ball by yourself. : )
Also, nuclear power is poisonous. "
WindScam wrote on Nov 11, 2009 10:42 AM:
" Ah, June, to be so idealistic....and naive. Yeah, I know about Scoraig. Not many people have the mechanical aptitude to build their own gennie. And Bergey? I heard Bergey was looking for a buyer. Hmmm....why?
Thing is, June, you haven't seen the kinds of things a certain small wind manufacturer would dump into the garbage. Sustainable? Hardly! You can't go through life with "Green colored glasses" which is this new way of writing blank checks to so-called "green" technology whether it actually works or not. I worked in it, June. You didn't. I know the kind of crap that's being sold to the American public. Got news for ya. There is NO drop-in alternative to replace our current power plants running on nuke-hydro-coal. So, that means you need to come down to reality and deal with that, or cut way back on usage of electricity.
Yes, this planet is the only one we have. And the wind turbine manufacturers are just as guilty of polluting it as anyone else. They bring in lots of their parts from China. Last I heard, China burned a lot of coal and is a major polluter. Also, the bigger wind turbines are made by General Electric, who is a manufacturer of nuclear power reactors and also a defense contractor. So, June, why aren't you holding the manufacturers' feet to the fire and insisting on working, viable products instead of helping them perpetuate carnival midway shell-game scams? What, your wishful thinking and nifty bumper sticker slogans will power this nation? Hardly.
Tell ya what, June. Here's what you do. Unplug your house from the power grid and power your house by wind alone. Just wind. If you can't do that and come on here and prove it, there's the proof it doesn't work. So, ball's in your court. "
Thing is, June, you haven't seen the kinds of things a certain small wind manufacturer would dump into the garbage. Sustainable? Hardly! You can't go through life with "Green colored glasses" which is this new way of writing blank checks to so-called "green" technology whether it actually works or not. I worked in it, June. You didn't. I know the kind of crap that's being sold to the American public. Got news for ya. There is NO drop-in alternative to replace our current power plants running on nuke-hydro-coal. So, that means you need to come down to reality and deal with that, or cut way back on usage of electricity.
Yes, this planet is the only one we have. And the wind turbine manufacturers are just as guilty of polluting it as anyone else. They bring in lots of their parts from China. Last I heard, China burned a lot of coal and is a major polluter. Also, the bigger wind turbines are made by General Electric, who is a manufacturer of nuclear power reactors and also a defense contractor. So, June, why aren't you holding the manufacturers' feet to the fire and insisting on working, viable products instead of helping them perpetuate carnival midway shell-game scams? What, your wishful thinking and nifty bumper sticker slogans will power this nation? Hardly.
Tell ya what, June. Here's what you do. Unplug your house from the power grid and power your house by wind alone. Just wind. If you can't do that and come on here and prove it, there's the proof it doesn't work. So, ball's in your court. "
Matthew Quigley wrote on Nov 10, 2009 7:25 PM:
" Wind farm projects will not reduce our "carbon footprint". No existing power plants will be eliminated as a result of this project. Wind farms always need to be integrated into energy grids with dependable sources of energy i.e. coal fired power plants. The presumption that wind farms will result in the reduction of pollutants into the atmosphere is false. Once again – no existing coal fired power plants will be eliminated, therefore no net reduction in our “carbon footprint”. The best scenario that the writer of this letter can truthfully claim is that construction of wind farms will prevent future increases of CO2, not reductions.
Wind farms will not reduce energy costs. Wind energy is more expensive per kilowatt hour, than any existing conventional energy source.
Wind farms are, at best, intermittent and undependable sources of energy and must be perpetually combined with existing energy sources.
The major sources of energy used for conventional electrical power plants are natural gas, nuclear, and coal. How will the construction of wind farms reduce America’s consumption of foreign oil? Answer: They won't.
Many of the parts that are used in the construction of the wind towers are manufactured in China. Let’s not trade our dependence on foreign oil for dependence on foreign parts used for the construction of wind towers.
Nuclear power is the true answer to America's electrical energy needs. In 2012, a common sense President will be elected and nuclear power will once again, be resurrected from current environmental extremist prohibition. "
Wind farms will not reduce energy costs. Wind energy is more expensive per kilowatt hour, than any existing conventional energy source.
Wind farms are, at best, intermittent and undependable sources of energy and must be perpetually combined with existing energy sources.
The major sources of energy used for conventional electrical power plants are natural gas, nuclear, and coal. How will the construction of wind farms reduce America’s consumption of foreign oil? Answer: They won't.
Many of the parts that are used in the construction of the wind towers are manufactured in China. Let’s not trade our dependence on foreign oil for dependence on foreign parts used for the construction of wind towers.
Nuclear power is the true answer to America's electrical energy needs. In 2012, a common sense President will be elected and nuclear power will once again, be resurrected from current environmental extremist prohibition. "
june wrote on Nov 10, 2009 5:28 PM:
" WindScam,
Ah, no wonder you're dissatisfied! Again, there are finer models blowing in other lands. Of course, I wasn't just talking about our locally based company. Heck you can even make one from scratch if you know what you are doing. Check out this site:
http://scoraigwind.com/
I just started the blades myself. : )
There are all kinds of wind machine manufacturers out there so you can't honestly believe yourself that they are ALL owned by oil co's, etc. Check out http://www.bergey.com/.
THe smaller your rotors, the less efficient for the most part. Also, depends on where you set them up.
We shouldn't just give up, should we?. Where would our technology be today if we had the same mindset as you exhibit in your comment? No one is saying give up electricity entirely and forever, just encouragement to nurture and be creative in energy systems that are not so harmful to our biosphere, which by the way, is the only one we and our future have so far. "
Ah, no wonder you're dissatisfied! Again, there are finer models blowing in other lands. Of course, I wasn't just talking about our locally based company. Heck you can even make one from scratch if you know what you are doing. Check out this site:
http://scoraigwind.com/
I just started the blades myself. : )
There are all kinds of wind machine manufacturers out there so you can't honestly believe yourself that they are ALL owned by oil co's, etc. Check out http://www.bergey.com/.
THe smaller your rotors, the less efficient for the most part. Also, depends on where you set them up.
We shouldn't just give up, should we?. Where would our technology be today if we had the same mindset as you exhibit in your comment? No one is saying give up electricity entirely and forever, just encouragement to nurture and be creative in energy systems that are not so harmful to our biosphere, which by the way, is the only one we and our future have so far. "
WindScam wrote on Nov 10, 2009 3:40 PM:
" June, use your phone book. There's only ONE wind turbine manufacturer here. And if I had a dollar for every sadly misled person such as yourself that thought wind worked and wasn't just another corporate scam. Hello, June, the SAME oil companies, defense contractors, and nuke power reactor manufacturers you dislike OWN the wind turbine manufacturers. Yeah, you can believe THEM, right?
We can "do it for the children"??? What, give them a world with no electricity because the wind turbines are all failure-prone pieces of slapdash junk? "
We can "do it for the children"??? What, give them a world with no electricity because the wind turbines are all failure-prone pieces of slapdash junk? "
june wrote on Nov 10, 2009 1:33 PM:
" WindScam, I'm curious as the the make and models of your turbines.
Peoples also need to be aware of their energy usage, there could be a lot of wasted power in the locations where it is being utilized, our very own homes.
And, I'm sure something can be figured out for increasing the efficiency of RE technology, there's been a lot of innovation and evolution in other kinds of technology, such as the communications industries and entertainment.
C'mon fellow humans, we can do this, let's do it for the children! : ) "
Peoples also need to be aware of their energy usage, there could be a lot of wasted power in the locations where it is being utilized, our very own homes.
And, I'm sure something can be figured out for increasing the efficiency of RE technology, there's been a lot of innovation and evolution in other kinds of technology, such as the communications industries and entertainment.
C'mon fellow humans, we can do this, let's do it for the children! : ) "
R Carroll wrote on Nov 9, 2009 11:35 PM:
" My only objection to wind power is that they exaggerate the amount of electricity taken by the grid. A typical wind farm will have a 30% capacity factor meaning that if it is rated at 1000 megawatts nameplate capacity the real value is 300 megawatts. Unfortunately only approximately thirty per cent of the electricity is normally taken into the grid because the wind farms are usually generating electricity when it is not needed.. Therefore the grid operator uses what is referred to as capacity value to determine what the real rating of the capacity is and normally this is usually less than 10 %. For Arizona where there is only 75 megawatts of nameplate capacity the capacity value is probably only 5% or 3.5 megawatts because it is a low wind state. According to the EIA report for 2007 Arizona's share of non hydro renewable energy was .05% or essentially nothing.
Texas leads the nation with 10,000 megawatts of wind nameplate capacity for which wind advocates claimed it was responsible for 3.5% of the electricity generated but ERCOT, the grid operator determined that the amount taken into the grid was only 1.2% and the capacity value was only 8.5%..I think renewable energy is fine but lets not kid ourselves about its contribution. If the wind farms can find a way to store electricity not taken then we may have something. "
Texas leads the nation with 10,000 megawatts of wind nameplate capacity for which wind advocates claimed it was responsible for 3.5% of the electricity generated but ERCOT, the grid operator determined that the amount taken into the grid was only 1.2% and the capacity value was only 8.5%..I think renewable energy is fine but lets not kid ourselves about its contribution. If the wind farms can find a way to store electricity not taken then we may have something. "
WindScam wrote on Nov 9, 2009 6:14 PM:
" I worked for a local wind turbine manufacturer for several years. They DO NOT work. It's another corporate get-rich-quick scam. And, no, it does not provide "green jobs". Ask the 29 people who lost their "green jobs" here so the manufacturer could hire more six-figure execs. "
june wrote on Nov 9, 2009 3:24 PM:
" I like how there are those willing to give up and continue to mindlessly shell out their time and efforts to big businesses and politicians. I guess humans aren't as smart as they think. "
june wrote on Nov 9, 2009 3:19 PM:
" What about all the wind power machines in Europe?
Some are still operating from the 1970s.
If your turbine isn't very efficient, then maybe you bought the wrong size or make and model. Turbines and solar panels are being used to power stations in some of the most remote and bitter regions of the planet.
What about the birds? Since when do you care if you are all about using up other resources and poisoning other lands? Just as long as its not in your backyard, eh? Turbines cannot fill the lands because there are many regions where the amount of wind will not support the major cost of such installation. If anything, many households should get their own turbine or power generators.
For the most part, I don't think the states have even given wind power much of a chance before many are whining about their views. Do you and your lungs prefer the pollution haze? Do you think the birds will appreciate that as well? "
Some are still operating from the 1970s.
If your turbine isn't very efficient, then maybe you bought the wrong size or make and model. Turbines and solar panels are being used to power stations in some of the most remote and bitter regions of the planet.
What about the birds? Since when do you care if you are all about using up other resources and poisoning other lands? Just as long as its not in your backyard, eh? Turbines cannot fill the lands because there are many regions where the amount of wind will not support the major cost of such installation. If anything, many households should get their own turbine or power generators.
For the most part, I don't think the states have even given wind power much of a chance before many are whining about their views. Do you and your lungs prefer the pollution haze? Do you think the birds will appreciate that as well? "
gary gumbel wrote on Nov 9, 2009 11:03 AM:
" Doug, You obviously have no fear of a 400 ft jet engine blowing up your doorstep for the rest of your life? Or, you have no property because it will be worthless with one of these next to it. Its a giveaway for developers, counties have no ordinances, the taxpayers are providing 60% of the funding for a company overseas to heat a swimming pool in another state. Great idea!! "
Capt. Nice wrote on Nov 9, 2009 9:24 AM:
" Mr. Moss
From what I have read and heard, it is not the looks of a wind machine, but the efficiency of them. I have friends who have invested in them and who have worked on them and they all say it is a very poor investment, because maintenance costs eat up what good the machines do. I'm all for wind energy but until they come up with a good one, who wants to see a bunch of dead wind machines on the horizon? I kinda think it isn't so much how good they work, it is more the touchy feely thing to do, like solar which isn't that cost effective, because I have solar and wish someone would build a power line close to where I live. The important thing is that Mr. Gore is getting rich off of this technology and laughing all the way to the bank. "
From what I have read and heard, it is not the looks of a wind machine, but the efficiency of them. I have friends who have invested in them and who have worked on them and they all say it is a very poor investment, because maintenance costs eat up what good the machines do. I'm all for wind energy but until they come up with a good one, who wants to see a bunch of dead wind machines on the horizon? I kinda think it isn't so much how good they work, it is more the touchy feely thing to do, like solar which isn't that cost effective, because I have solar and wish someone would build a power line close to where I live. The important thing is that Mr. Gore is getting rich off of this technology and laughing all the way to the bank. "
Dee wrote on Nov 9, 2009 9:16 AM:
" Windmills kill flying wildlife. Humans are here and we cannot be here without some impact on the environment. Putting up millionso of windmills will kill zillions of birds (the next environmental crisis). Just like using flourescent bulbs saves energy, but will undoubtedly poison our environment with the small amount of mercury in each bulb. "
Doug Meyer wrote on Nov 9, 2009 8:29 AM:
" There's at least $500 billion reasons why we DON'T need to get used to the idea of destroying our landscape for corporate profit. The war's over America, and we lost. The system can't afford to save itself, so take let's take heart and oppose the progressive zombies and their mindless attempt to resurrect the dead. "
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june wrote on Nov 12, 2009 3:01 PM:
Now why would I do a silly thing like that? That's like me asking you to try a different turbine make and model for your own proof. I'll research and test wind power generators on my own terms rather than rely on a single disgruntled person who sounds like he/she decided to give up rather than explore possibilities.
I've also read a fair share of success stories with wind machines and would like to explore wind power systems in other countries. There are Jacobs Wind Machines built in the 1930s that, after uncovered and rebuilt, are in operation today.
Again, I have no control over large-scale businesses buying up wind power "mom and pop" operations. Whatever the intention may be, from positive productivity to stifling the growth/manufacturing of renewable energy systems, I can't say I know. Every bit of considerate effort helps though, does it not?
Your immediate dismissal of turbine technology (based on one manufacturer) is also funny. There were a lot of people that laughed at the Wright Bros. when they were exploring their flight ideas. Who's to say when "the end of the road" is for any technological exploration when it has already progressed so much in a fairly short amount of time while continuing to develop? Wind turbines are also capable of pumping water, which you or your ancestors probably utilized at one time or another so feel the breeze, breathe, and enjoy. "