Wind Energy and renewable energy blog

Wind Energy Questions – What is Wind Turbine Shadow Flicker?

Tall structures such as wind turbines cast shadows, which vary in length according to the sun’s altitude and position. Rotating wind turbine blades cast moving shadows which could under certain conditions cause flickering at nearby properties. This effect is similar to the flicker you may have experienced when driving, if the low winter sun is shining through trees and then your car window.

Renewable Energy Myth Busting

Guardian writer Chris Goodall set out yesterday to clarify 10 of the classic myths often cited against renewable energy. Many people believe solar power is too expensive to use, wind is not effective and marine energy cannot work.

Chris provides some interesting information, however some of the myths stem from an element of truth about the technologies which have in the past held them back. What is important is that people and companies are being financially driven to overcome the barriers and take these technologies to the next level where they are affordable.

Is the Noise All in Your Head? – Wind Turbine Noise, Physcology and World Perspective

Whilst not in anyway qualified in acoustics, I surprised myself by becoming rather fascinated by the subject when I realized that although you can measure sound very objectively, the effect of this sound on humans varies extensively and is very much linked to psychology. People who are very opposed to wind energy projects and perceive them to be something bad or harmful react very differently to people supportive of wind energy if perceiving any source of noise from the wind turbines. An example of the plethora of reasons why this might result in some people have different experiences than others is “the cognitive itch” used to describe a re-occurring memory of something- like a catchy tune continually replaying in someone’s head.

UK Nuclear Power Stations and Large Wind Farms will not be Rushed Through

The UK Government’s Planning Bill proposes a new Infrastructure Planning Committee (IPC) which will be responsible for decisions on big infrastructure projects such as nuclear power stations, new airport terminals and large wind energy projects.

The aim of the Planning Bill and this new IPC Committee is to speed up planning decisions, however it is obvious that lumping large wind energy projects, nuclear power stations and airports under the same system is going to bring trouble, particularly as there is no way that the UK government will get away with not giving the general public their human rights to speak at a public hearing.

How Wind Energy Developers & Locally Elected Officials Behave

Timlynn Babitsky of Wind Power Handbook recently wrote a interesting post about the conduct of wind developers in New York. Timlynn talks about wind farm developers bribing officials and explains that a new code of conduct has recently been introduced to stop questionable deals being struck between developers and officials and developers and developers behind closed doors.

The UK experienced corruption at the local level in the 1980’s when big out of town supermarket developers were caught bribing locally elected councillors who made decisions on planning consents. Subsequently an investigation took place involving the Nolan Committee and a set of recommendations published. The Nolan Committee’s First Report on Standards in Public Life recommended a code of conduct be introduced for local government officers and locally elected councillors. This code has a big impact on the way council officials behave, even to the point that it is sometimes difficult to even talk to these decision makers about a wind energy project.

Peak District National Park Slams Wind Energy

The Peak District National Park Authority has slammed a 4 wind turbine proposal close to the park boundary at Carsington Pastures in the county of Derbyshire in the UK.

The Park Authority has decided to team up with Derbyshire Dales Council and go to the High Court to challenge plans for a wind farm near its boundary. This decision was taken despite approval for the 4 wind turbines being granted by a Planning Inspector in July.

Wind Energy Questions – What is the impact of wind turbines on house prices?

We now know that climate change is happening and that the most likely cause is human activity. The predicted rises in global temperatures are likely to have devastating economic, social and environmental effects with the poorest people being the most likely to lose their homes. Despite this house price reduction is often cited as the main concern when renewable energy projects are proposed in the western world.

There has been a number of public opinion polls carried out in the UK and other countries with regard to renewable energy and specifically wind energy. These polls carried out at different stages of the wind farm life generally show support for wind energy. However because wind energy technology is relatively new, there has been very little work carried out in relation to effects on property prices.

Wind Energy Questions – How Noisy are Wind Turbines?

Whenever we talk about noise we often think of unwanted sound for example vehicles, factories, snorers and all those other anti-social forms that we have to share our world with. We rarely refer to the waves in the sea or a babbling brook as noise but as “natural sounds”.

Whether it is human made or naturally occurring, virtually everything that moves will result in some sound. Wind turning the blades of wind turbines results in sound just as the wind moving the leaves in trees. Modern wind turbines are however generally quiet in operation, and compared to the noise of road traffic, trains and aircraft, the noise from wind turbines is very low.

Obama Moves Renewable Energy Plan into Second Gear

Newly elected President Barack Obama is to put into motion energy and climate bills next year in an effort to both stimulate and make greener America’s frail economy.

Committing $150 billion in investment over 10 years, Obama hopes to create 5 million green collar jobs and catalyze private efforts to build a clean energy future based on technologies such as wind energy and solar power.

Case Study – Stand-alone 6kW Wind Turbine (Proven)

Interview with Bob Bridges
Since B&Q and other retail outlets started to sell micro – renewable technology in their stores, the debate as to whether different technologies are productive has escalated rapidly in the press.
Bob Bridges did his research and constructed a “stand- alone” wind turbine to provide electricity for his farm in Cornwall. [...]

Wind Energy Questions – Renewable Obligation Certificates

The Renewables Obligation (RO) is the government’s main mechanism for supporting renewable energy.

Introduced in April 2002, it provides a substantial market incentive for all eligible forms of renewable energy. Renewable energy suppliers are required to supply a proportion of their electricity from renewable sources evidenced by the presentation of Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCS) or pay a buy out fee. As a result of this requirement, the ROCS secured by renewable energy generators have a financial value and are bought and sold.