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How Loud is a Wind Turbine?
Are wind turbines noisy? Possibly, but probably not as noisy as you think. A look at wind turbine noise. Not perfect, but neither is your refrigerator. And, while yes, consider the source (GE is not unbiased), the information is simple and clear, and presented in a straightforward way. Don't dismiss the future because it's in its infancy. Renewables have only room to grow. And, they grow better, less expensive, more efficient, almost as we speak. Our traditional energy sources are dirty, dangerous, and ruinously expensive. They are falling apart, and they threaten to take the entire planet with them.
Change is not always easy, the sailing is not always smooth, but renewable energy has long since proved it offers a viable present solution for our energy crisis. Imagine what it will be in the future!
GE Reports l How Loud is a Wind Turbine?
Because wind turbines are such a great source of clean, renewable energy, they’re usuallygreeted with a great deal of enthusiasm. But some complaints have been made that they can cause too much noise for residents living within a mile of the blades.
So just how noisy are these turbines?
Clean Technica: Wind Power in Europe MORE Reliable than Nuclear Power in Japan
Clean Technica l Zachary Shahan 16 June, 2011
Great discussion of analysis by Paul Gipe of Wind Works on wind versus nuclear and the baseload fallacy, with specific comparisons of nuclear unreliability at Fukushima even before the accident, and ever increasing success with reliable energy generation from wind power, especially in Germany and Spain.
There's a reason Germany is willing to switch to renewable energy from nuclear- it works. And, despite the usual criticisms from the nuclear industry about reliability the author explains why wind works in Europe, and how it is only at the beginning of the curve toward its true potential.
A lot of wind critics assert that wind power isn’t reliable. The wind power video above, however, does a great job of pointing out the differences between wind power variability and variability of traditional power sources, among other things. Paul Gipe of Wind-Works also recently got into this topic, in more detail, as compared to nuclear power:
Critics of wind energy often charge that wind energy is too “unreliable” to generate a large portion of a nation’s electricity and suggest that base load needs “reliable” sources of generation such as nuclear power.
While wind is a “variable” resource, that is, the wind doesn’t always blow and when it does it doesn’t always blow at the same strength, wind is far more reliable than the critics charge. In fact, wind is fairly predictable on long time horizons, especially from one year to the next.
In contrast, nuclear power is “reliable” until it isn’t as the units at the Fukushima nuclear power plant so dramatically demonstrate.
Battle-proof Wind Farms Survive Japan's Trial by Fire
A story of hope for the renewable energy future we need. It is out there, and in Japan, it is helping to return electricity to the ravaged country.
Huffington Post l Kelly Rigg March 17, 2011
As the world collectively holds its breath to see how the Fukushima crisis plays out (the quote of the day has got to be: "The worst-case scenario doesn't bear mentioning and the best-case scenario keeps getting worse...") there's a positive story which is not yet being reported.
Despite assertions by its detractors that wind energy would not survive an earthquake or tsunami the Japanese wind industry is still functioning and helping to keep the lights on during the Fuksuhima crisis.
Colleagues and I have been directly corresponding with Yoshinori Ueda leader of the International Committee of the Japan Wind Power Association & Japan Wind Energy Association, and according to Ueda there has been no wind facility damage reported by any association members, from either the earthquake or the tsunami. Even the Kamisu semi-offshore wind farm, located about 300km from the epicenter of the quake, survived. Its anti-earthquake "battle proof design" came through with flying colors.
Wind power to provide a fifth of world electricity by 2030
Wind could provide 20 pct of world power by 2030: study
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
AFP l Independent
Wind power could meet about a fifth of the world's electricity demand within 20 years, an industry group and environmental watchdog Greenpeace predicted in a new report released Tuesday.
The global market for wind power grew 41.7 percent on year in 2009, beating average annual growth of 28.6 percent over the past 13 years, said Steve Sawyer, secretary general of the Global Wind Energy Council, or GWEC.
China ranked second in the world in installed wind generating capacity in 2009 and was the largest buyer of wind technology, Sawyer told reporters at the launch of GWEC and Greenpeace's Global Wind Energy Outlook 2010 report.
Ancient Italian Town Has Wind at Its Back
NYTimes / ELISABETH ROSENTHAL September 28, 2010
The towering white wind turbines that rise ramrod straight from gnarled ancient olive groves here speak to something extraordinary happening across Italy.
Faced with sky-high electricity rates, small communities across a country known more for garbage than environmental citizenship are finding economic salvation in making renewable energy. More than 800 Italian communities now make more energy than they use because of the recent addition of renewable energy plants, according to a survey this year by the Italian environmental group Legambiente.
Renewable energy has been such a boon for Tocco that it makes money from electricity production and has no local taxes or fees for services like garbage removal.
Wind Energy Can Power Much of East Coast, Study Says
Renee Schoof | McClatchy Newspapers 28 September 2010
The study appears just as new developments are starting to push U.S. efforts to catch up with Europe and China on tapping the energy in offshore wind. Great Britain last week opened the world's largest wind farm, and China built its first pilot offshore wind farm in 2008, using turbines from the nation's largest wind turbine producer, Sinovel.
"Offshore wind energy can help the nation reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, diversify its energy supply, provide cost-competitive electricity to key coastal regions, and stimulate economic revitalization of key sectors of the economy," the study says.
Are There Serious Reservations in the Scientific Community Regarding Wind Energy?
The Union of Concerned Scientists is always a good source of solid information. In their Ask a Scientist section the other day, they answered a question about wind power that comes up often from doubters of the efficacy of renewable energy sources: Are there serious reservations in the scientific community regarding wind energy?
As usual their answer was thoughtful and thorough, addressing impact on birds and wildlife, adverse health effects, the sound issue, as well as benefits to the community.
Their final word?
"Every energy source will impact the environment in some way, but it’s clear that wind is one of the safest and cleanest choices."
Read article
Jonathan Kantrowitz: Floating Wind Turbines Are A Good Idea
Wind Power in China
China launches itself wholesale into renewable energy. While it is still in it's infancy in this rapidly growing country, their commitment to alternative energy success in unwavering.
Looking to the success of Europe for inspiration and making full use of tested European technology, China has placed wind and solar energy firmly in their energy future.
"Wind power, like solar power, is an alternative energy resource of virtually unlimited potential. After years of heavy subsidies, especially in Europe where the will to become energy independent has been unwavering, wind power is now economically competitive with conventional energy sources. This fact, combined with the energy security of windfarms that constitute a renewable domestic energy supply, suggest the Chinese committment to develop wind power is just beginning." – Ed Ring
