Why Wind Farms Are So Beneficial

Inventions that harness the wind have been around for thousands of years. Driven by the need for power and speed, human innovations turned away from dependence on the wind, a power source over which we have little control. After the invention of the combustion engine, wind-powered devices were replaced in all but the most remote locations.

Recently, humankind has begun again to look to the wind as a source of energy. In many countries all over the world, wind farms are being developed, constructed, and put to use. A wind farm is a collection, in one area, of wind turbines that convert the power of the wind into electricity.

Types of Wind Farms

The three types of wind farms are off-shore, near-shore and land farms. Off-shore wind farms are built at least ten kilometers away from land, are the most expensive to build, and can have higher maintenance costs if built in the ocean where the salt water corrodes the machines. Off-shore wind can produce the most electricity, however, as the wind can travel very quickly over the water and in some places comes constantly from the same direction. The electricity is carried to land through an underground cable. Near-shore wind farms are installed in the water just off the shoreline or on the beach itself. These wind farms also benefit from a one-directional, more constant wind than land farms do. Land wind farms are three kilometers or more inland. Topography is studied to choose sites that receive the most wind and wind turbines are usually self-adjusting; they align themselves to the wind.

Benefits of Wind Farms

The benefits of wind farms are obvious. This form of energy is free and accessible in most countries of the world. It is also a ‘green’ or clean form of energy, meaning that no pollution is produced by the operation of the machines. Using wind power can reduce and perhaps eventually eliminate the world’s dependence on energy generation that causes pollution. Burning coal, for example, releases carbon dioxide, sulfur, and even soot into the air; nuclear power plants produce toxic wastes for which there is no solution. Wind farming is also compatible with other activities, such as traditional agricultural farming. The wind turbines themselves have only a very small footprint, and the land can be plowed and crops planted even right around the base of the machines.

Wind farms generate revenue for the individuals who allow wind turbines to be placed on their property. Wind farms can even produce revenue for a region or country if the energy is sold to neighboring areas. As a side benefit, many wind farms become tourist attractions that draw visitors from far and wide. These tourists spend money for food, lodging, and souvenirs, thus benefiting the entire community.

Wind Farm Issues and Solutions

Wind Level Inconsistencies

Wind strength is variable and unpredictable. Wind farms are at the mercy of nature. If the wind doesn’t blow, no electricity is produced. The maximum yearly capacity of a wind turbine will never be reached because the wind doesn’t blow all the time. Wind turbines often operate, on average, at only about 30% capacity. Nothing can be done to eliminate this fact so it must be taken into consideration when planning wind farms and assessing potential power output.

Aesthetics of Wind Turbines

Some individuals and groups have lobbied against the installation of wind farms for aesthetic reasons. These people claim the beauty of the natural landscape is lost when these massive machines are installed. Other people feel just the opposite, however. The sleek, white modern design of these towering machines certainly contrasts with the natural environment but in a way that complements green plant life and sparkling water; the beauty of nature and of human invention is seen in harmony, side-by-side.

Noise Generated by Wind Farms

A whooshing noise is produced by the turning of the blades, and humming is created within the wind turbine shaft. These sounds can be kept to a minimum through careful design of the blades, use of noise insulating materials within the turbine, and lubrication of the machine. The noise from wind farms tend to be amplified if the turbines are all placed directly in a line, one after another, as this causes more vibrations in the air. Consequently, placement of the turbines is another important consideration. It is a good idea for turbines to be placed as far away from dwellings as possible to minimize annoyance from the constant noise of the turbines.

Animal Fatalities From Wind Farms

Initially, there was a concern that wind turbines would kill many birds. However, on average, only one bird per turbine is killed each year. Bats, on the other hand, were not really considered but the impact on these small mammals has been much more significant. At some wind farm locations, one turbine may kill up to 31 bats a year! For reasons unknown, bats seem to be attracted to wind turbines. Most of the bats are not killed by the blades themselves but die when they fly into the low pressure air pockets caused by the movement of the turbines. More research is needed to discover how to reduce the risks to these flying animals.

Wind Farms Causing Human Health Problems

Some individuals with large turbines quite close to their homes have complained about the manifestation of physical ailments due to the operation of the wind turbine. Researchers have labeled this condition “wind turbine syndrome”. They believe it may be caused by prolonged exposure to an ultra low frequency sound. This condition, the symptoms of which include headaches, nausea, nose bleeds, dizziness, and sleep disturbances, affect approximately 30% of individuals living in close proximity to the wind turbines. It is not known how close is too close for a wind turbine to be placed near a dwelling, but, if the wind turbine can be heard inside the house, wind turbine syndrome could become an issue for those living in the home. The solution is to ensure that the wind turbines are constructed far enough away from homes, work places, and schools. More research needs to be done to determine what a safe distance would be and how the size and height of the turbine affects the low frequency sounds produced.

Wind Power Potential

The overall benefits of having green, renewable energy greatly outweigh the potential issues involved with wind power; in fact, if managed properly, these problems can likely be almost entirely eliminated. The wind on earth provides enough power to supply all the world’s electricity needs five times over! Theoretically, humans would need to use no other power source if we could efficiently harvest the energy of the wind. In today’s society, with the skyrocketing price of oil, the uncertainty of its continued supply due to world conflict, and the global trend towards moving away from the burning of fossil fuels which is thought to contribute to global warming, wind power certainly seems like the most viable form of clean, renewable, alternative energy.