Wind Turbines

[Pandabean]

I was just wanting to see what the opinion on this forum was on the subject of wind turbines?

There seems to be various opinions out there about them. Including green and clean energy, need for a replacement for oil in the pro camp to the against camp which argue they are a waste of money, they are inefficient, have affects on wildlife and humans.




I have informed Tony about posting this so it will be modded if it does degrade into politics or other topics that are against the rules.
Please try to keep it from degrading into this, I'm just looking for a nice clean debate.

 

[Toddy]

I like them; I know there are issues, big issues with visual eyesores (like pylons snaking across the country weren't ??) not as efficient as they could be, cost, etc., but it's a real, tangible step forward.

I do think that the tide energy should be receiving more funding and research though. The wind isn't always reliable, but that tide comes in and out twice a day regular as clockwork and the UK has a huge coastline.

My tuppence ha'penny worth

cheers,
M

 

[Maggot]

I reckon most people view them the same as they view mobile phone masts and the high speed rail link. A really good idea, until someone comes along and says they are putting one up in your area, then they become a cancer/leukeamia/wildlife/brain energy risk and should be put somewhere else.

Personally, I thing there should be more of them. Especially in Scotland, Cornwall and Wales where they get more wind. We could have more wave barriers down here, maybe even another nuclear reactor at Hinckley, sun farms in the South West as well. In fact we have just had some solar farms installed in the area I live here, there has been uproar! Interestingly though, the same residents were saying that the farm should have been sited nearer Bridgwater, where they also have planning permission, as it would not spoil the area so much.

It is all NIMBYism I'm afraid.

 

[spandit]

I had the privilege of getting close to a wind turbine last year - they are MASSIVE!! They've put loads out in the sea which is a great idea but I agree tidal energy should be used as well

 

[Retired Member southey]

Haven't any problems with them at all, I think its still an early tech so advancements will be made regarding efficiency, I agree with Toddy that more should be put into tidal generators, but im guessing would cause more problems for navigation along waterways and have a bigger effect on wild life(thinking of the sea turbines) more nuclear is the way ahead!

 

[nunzionuk]

I like them, and have been up the one in Swaffham Eco-center.. its a long climb, but great views.

What do people think about the home ones? I am looking at getting solar panels install when I move up to norfolk next year, but am thinking about wind power too, as the solar is for the hot water.

 

[Retired Member southey]

We a chap on the Forum who works on them, wonder what he thinks of them, will ask?

 

[rik_uk3]

I detest them, for one thing they don't work, don't do the job and some of my tax is funding these follies

Nuclear power is the only logical way forward for the UK, the government should tell the tree hugging/mamby pamby/vegan eco warrior/friends of the earth to :tapedshut and get building new nuclear stations.

Just MHO.

 

[Teepee]

I think they are actually not bad on the eye, theres something quite elegant about the general design. I'm not a hater at all.

I'm probably a bit biased towards renewables anyway, and increasingly against nuclear recently after the powers that be gave the go ahead to dump nuclear waste at 2 seperate inland sites, uncovered and 4 miles from my house.

 

[Bushwhacker]

No no no no no no no.
WT is a swear word in my office and throughout my industry (Hydro).

Any idiot that thinks wind turbines (oops I swore) will solve anything is, well, an idiot.

 

[pauljm116]

I think they are an eyesore but understand they are good for the environment so would like to see more of them and as Toddy mentioned we've already got ugly pylons everywhere anyway so why not have wind turbines too.

 

[spandit]

There is no single solution. Wind, hydro, solar, tidal, nuclear, biomass etc. will all play a part

A major problem with nuclear is the negative spin that's been put on it by environmental groups - read The God Species by Mark Lynas

Another problem is that Uranium, like fossil fuels, is a limited product - it won't last forever

 

[Bushwhacker]

I think they are an eyesore but understand they are good for the environment so would like to see more of them and as Toddy mentioned we've already got ugly pylons everywhere anyway so why not have wind turbines too.

They're not good for the environment at all.
The raw materials used to make them, the fatalities of several flying species and, no, it's not all due to impact but pressure fluctuations in the surrounding air that can rupture internal organs (bats), visual impact, noise impact.
Nope, no good.

 

[sandbender]

They are ugly and they require a huge amount of energy to manufacture and maintain, smaller local systems would be better presuming folks could be convinced to be more efficient in their energy use. However I was entertained to read that there are plans to put a bunch of the coast of Aberdeenshire spoiling the view from Mr. Trumps golf course.

 

[ganstey]

I'm studying Environmental Science at the moment, so have been looking at and thinking about this topic for a while. I've only been studying this for a few months, so have no deep knowledge.

There is no single solution. Wind, hydro, solar, tidal, nuclear, biomass etc. will all play a part

Agreed. No single power source is going to meet our needs. We either need to accept all of the above generation methods (and maybe ones yet to be developed), or drastically reduce our energy consumption. It's a very simple equation, but with a very complicated solution.

I actually quite like the appearance of the large turbines. We don't complain about old windmills scattered around the country, and I don't see the new turbines as any different. Admittedly I don't live near any, but I regularly see then on my travels. A large wind farm in full flow is somehow pleasingly hypnotic.

As for the small personal wind turbines, I'd say they are a waste of money expect in very specific circumstances. A house a few doors down from me (on an estate) has one, and I think I've only ever seen in spinning once in the five or so years it's been there. If you live out in the open, where you can bet on a regular, steady wind, then they may work. But not in most gardens.

As for their effect on wildlife, it's been in the media a lot, but I've not seen anyone quoting any scientific study, only anecdotal. Let's face it, the biggest problem with this planet is the fact that it's inhabited by humans.

Graham

 

[resnikov]

Personal i like them and would have no issue with any where there are already pylons. But has been said before here, there is no one fix for energy. Nuclear is only real one to use at the moment until Fusion power works.

Wind, tidal and solar are good to help reduce the need on nuclear.

On a lighter note heres a vid of when wind turbines fail.

[video=youtube_share;CqEccgR0q-o]http://youtu.be/CqEccgR0q-o[/video]

 

[The Lord Poncho]

I'm studying Environmental Science at the moment.......

Good man! Where abouts are you studying?

 

[Bushwhacker]

As for their effect on wildlife, it's been in the media a lot, but I've not seen anyone quoting any scientific study, only anecdotal.

There are significant studies being carried out regarding barotrauma fatalities.

 

[ganstey]

Good man! Where abouts are you studying?

I'm studying with the Open University, so studying at home and still able to earn enough to pay the bills. The course I'm just finishing is U116: http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/u116.htm

 

[ganstey]

There are significant studies being carried out regarding barotrauma fatalities.

I've heard quite a few mentions of studies underway, but I've not seen anyone publish any results. As I'm sure you're aware, saying something is being researched doesn't make it true.

Graham