Of the clean, renewable sources of energy, wind power is arguably the most maligned. Issues brought up by its critics range from its inconsistency in its output to aesthetics. Promoters of wind power are quick to counter that the costs for generating wind power are incredibly cheap and the technology to produce electricity via wind is only getting better. With people like Al Gore and T. Boone Pickens seeking to boost the amount of power generated by sources like wind, we need to take a look at the pros and cons.

What’s Wrong with Wind Farms?

Aardex corporate offices incorporate sustainable building materials, including carpet tiles made of recycled content and environmentally friendly office furniture. Photo by Jeff Scroggins.

At the center of the issue are wind farms — tracts of land set aside for the wind towers that generate electricity for the power grid. These towers, manufactured by such companies as GE, Vestas, Gamesa and others, can reach a combined total height (tower and blades) of more than 300 feet. Factor in the fact that some space is needed in between the rotating blades, and you end up with a lot of space being used. Tack on the need for roadways to be constructed in order to provide ease of access to the towers when they need servicing, and it adds up to what critics would call a sizeable environmental disturbance.

The argument continues to state that wildlife, particularly birds and bats, is significantly affected by wind farms. However, no conclusive research has been offered to give credence to this argument.

Noise is also cited as a factor. Statistically, the sound generated from a wind turbine, measured in decibels (dB), is 35 to 45 dB. To put it in perspective, the amount of background noise in a rural setting is between 20 to 40 dB depending on the area. It doesn’t sound like much of a difference, but keep in mind that the dB ratings for wind turbines takes distance into account. Therefore, the noise listed above for wind turbines is likely to be the noise when heard at a distance of something like 1,300 feet. At 20 feet, the levels can reach as much as 106 dB.

All of these factors lead critics to ask if wind farms are worth it. The fickle nature of wind makes it somewhat difficult for it to generate a consistent stream of electricity. Plus, when people use electricity the most, during the day, wind is at its weakest. Nighttime is the best time for stronger winds, but the technology available to store that energy and use it later is still undergoing research to make it more efficient. As of now, it is possible to store the energy generated, but major advances are needed to make it a more viable option to store electricity generated off-peak.

The critics would argue, then, that isn’t wind power a whole lot of cost and headache for something that’s, at best, a supplemental form of energy rather than something we can hang our hats on?

Facing the Charges

Small wind turbines can help offset electricity use supplied by power plants while providing clean energy for homes and businesses. Photo courtesy of Proven Energy Ltd.

Despite these arguments, a research study conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory reports that U.S. wind-power capacity increased by 46 percent in 2007. According to the study, the increase represents a $9 billion investment in new wind projects, putting wind on track to becoming a significant power contributor. As of now, though, wind is still on the low end of the scale, behind coal, nuclear and others, making up roughly 1 percent of the total energy picture.

The reason for this growth is because of wind’s benefits. While wind farms are sizeable, locations ideal for their placement tend to be open, sparsely populated areas that would minimize the visual impact to the majority of the populace. Though the creation of wind farms would initially disturb a large area, the technology for the turbines is relatively simple, which increases the ease of maintenance, and the electric output is incredibly cheap and clean.

Environmental effects caused by any human-made endeavor can’t be ignored. However, nothing as of yet has been substantiated regarding the impact on wildlife.

Though the decibel levels are very high right next to the turbines, most people aren’t going to have their homes 20 feet away from one of the structures. And at a distance of 1,300 feet, the noise levels created by wind farms is actually less than an active office space or somewhat active roadway. Additionally, the remote location of wind farms intentionally minimizes the number of people affected by the noise. Should the noise still be a factor, means of dampening the sound are currently being researched.

Paths of Less Resistance

Companies are continually innovating technologies to make small turbines, like this 1.5 kW Swift turbine, quieter, more compact and more efficient. Photo courtesy of Cascade Engineering.

Of course, all of these arguments about wind are in regard to the turbines that produce more than 1 megawatt of power. Smaller turbines that produce anywhere from 1 to 200 kilowatts of electricity don’t seem to attract nearly the ire like their larger cousins. Turbines such as these have been used in certain, isolated residences for years as a source of electricity. As technology gets better, allowing for quieter, more efficient turbines, these small versions are gaining popularity with homeowners and small businesses looking to supplement their electricity and reduce their monthly bill.

This isn’t to say that small turbines don’t face resistance. According to Ron Stimmel, Small-Wind Advocate for the American Wind Energy Association, “Small wind turbines offer individuals a way to contribute tangibly to the quest for energy-independence. But making these turbines affordable for more Americans depends on successful passage of an investment tax credit by Congress.”

Barriers facing small wind development in the United States continue to be political, financial and regulatory, not technological. For example, many cities and municipalities have height restrictions, and some distance between wind turbines and rooftops is needed. Experts believe the market would grow at least 40 to 50 percent annually with basic federal incentives and fair permitting legislation. Without federal assistance, this industry is growing just 14 to 25 percent annually, according to the American Wind Energy Association.

“Even though there are millions more sites for small wind in the United States, we have had much more success selling turbines in the United Kingdom where effective government incentives and streamlined permitting exist,” says Andrew McMullen, CEO of Proven Energy Ltd, a small wind turbine manufacturer out of Scotland.

Though it faces issues, wind power — clean, cheap wind power — is on the rise. States like South Dakota, Wyoming, Maine and Ohio have wind farms currently being constructed or in the works, while other states like Texas are looking to add on to an already large wind-power market. However, the U.S. is still an incredibly long way off from other countries. Denmark, for instance, has a reported 19 percent of its electricity supplied by wind. The only way to get to that point is to overcome the obstacles presented by resistant state and local governments and the people they serve. And the only way to overcome those obstacles is education and understanding. While we may never have a society totally powered by wind, we could certainly use the uplift it offers.

Sidebar

Unlike local utilities, many wind farms are privately owned. The electricity produced at these wind farms is then sold to the local utilities, which then pass it along for use by the consumer. The turbines used to generate the electricity at these farms come from a number of different manufacturers, including:

• GE Energy
• Siemens
• Mitsubishi
• Vestas
• Gamesa
• Southwest Windpower
• Clipper Windpower
• Enercon
• Suzlon
• Acciona
• Goldwind
• Nordex
• Sinovel

On the smaller scale, manufacturers include:

• Abundant Renewable Energy
• AeroVironment
• Bergey Windpower Co.
• Energy Maintenance Service
• Entegrity Wind Systems
• Gaia-Wind Ltd.
• Northern Power
• Proven Energy, Ltd.
• Southwest Windpower Co.
• Swift (by Cascade Engineering)
• Wind Energy Solutions Canada
• Wind Turbine Industries Corp.