Wind Energy: Size Matters
Those who have never been to one of the annual AWEA (American Wind Energy Association) shows might want to check out this fascinating exhibit of engineering. Yes, a wind farm doesn’t have the energy density of a coal or nuclear plant, and to compensate, it needs to make it up in size. That’s why you’ll be standing next to a turbine blade that’s almost the length of a football field. That’s why you’ll be learning how it got from the factory to the farm, and assembled such that it sweeps across a quarter of a million square feet. It’s a spectacle.
Craig,
Wind turbine’s are either aesthetically magnificent symbols of human industrial triumph to harness energy from the wind, or hideous eyesores destroying the natural landscape and an environmental hazard to humans and wildlife.
I guessit all depends on your perspective. (and if you live in close proximity).
That the industry remains dependent of government subsidies, and chicanery to gain investment, remains contentious.
Likewise, the huge corporations selling Wind Turbines are very coy about the pollution associated with obsolete, failed or abandoned Wind Farms.
Discussion about such awkward subjects is carefully discouraged during such exciting gatherings of the faithful as the American Wind Energy Association’s 2019 Wind power Conference.
Claims and counter-claims have been made about the efficiency, life and economic viability of Wind turbines, with wild exaggerations being published by both sides of the debate.
What is emerging, is a picture of an industry allowed to grow without any regard for proper planning or adequate monitoring.
Obsolete Wind Turbine are not as polluting as obsolete solar panels, but disposal will prove problematic nonetheless.
Craig, I’m curious ? Why in all these years have you never addressed this important environmental issue?
Hmmm,…I’m sure it wouldn’t be from fear all those friendly invitations from “Big Wind” may dry up ? I’m equally sure it’s not for fear of ol’ buddies like Cameron and Glen Doty suddenly avoiding you in the secret squirrels club ?
But why so coy?
I ‘m eager to hear your solution for “recycling” all those solar panels and wind turbines.
I know, I know, I’m that awkward sod in every crowd such orgies of enthusiasm as the AWEA show attract. I’m the heretic, asking unpopular questions about the life expectancy and disposal of obsolete wind turbines.
My questions are usually met with patronizing explanations of how easily turbines are recycled. When asked where this is occurring, the location of recycling plants, and the economics of decommissioning and disposal of wind turbines, no answers are ever forthcoming !
The explanations quickly dry up and patience with such disruptive requests wears thin.
Suddenly, all those clean technology advocates fall remarkably silent.
Just as the leading manufacturers grow silent when asked to provide explanations for claims that leas than 20% of Wind turbines reach claims of 20-5 years of productive life.
The figure of 80% or more Wind Turbines failing or losing efficiency within 8 to 14 years would be a major scandal in any other industry.
That fact that such a huge industry has been created, largely funded by the taxpayer, without any environmental provision for disposal of pollutant waste, should be a scandal.
The silence of Wind and Solar advocates, and their collaboration with the huge corporations to conceal such a potential time bomb, should be both a moral and legal dilemma.