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Windfarms
: Fact and Fiction
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Wind turbines
do not generate in light or very strong winds |
True |
Below 8-10 mph wind speed they do not generate
and have to cut out for safety reasons above 56
mph. Their maximum generation is reached at about
30 mph which is uncommon in the UK. As a result
onshore turbines produce only about 26% of their
potential electricity. This rises to 30 to 33%
for offshore sites. |
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Wind farms only produce power for 25% of the
time |
False |
.They generate some power for 70-75% of the
time but this is often a mere trickle, so the
total electricity produced is only about 26% of
their full potential. The figure of 26% (called
the load factor) varies from site to site from
18-35% |
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Wind energy is free but extracting it is not |
True |
The electricity produced cannot be stored and
feeding it into the national grid is complex and
costly - a bill ultimately paid by the consumer |
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Wind power can replace power stations |
False |
Coal or gas-fired power stations are essential
to maintain uninterrupted supplies of electricity
when the wind is not blowing. So any reduction
in CO2 emissions derived from wind energy is minimised
by power stations running on standby |
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20-25 year lifespan |
False |
Developers claim a turbine lifespan is 20-25
years but many are being replaced after just 9-12
years - with yet larger turbines. This is known
as repowering. |
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Windfarms reduce global warming |
Questionable |
It is claimed that windfarms help reduce global
warming. This is based on the claim by developers
and the British Wind Energy Association that for
every megawatt hour of electricity generated by
a wind turbine, 0.86 tonnes of CO2 is saved. DEFRA,
the DTI, Ofgem, the Carbon Trust, and the House
of Commons do not accept this figure. Instead
they use a figure of 0.43 t/MWh and are suggesting
an even lower figure by 2010 of about 0.31t/MWh.
Hence developers greatly exaggerate the climate-related
benefits of wind farms. The use of the figure
0.43t/MWh was recently supported by the Advertising
Standards Authority when they upheld a complaint
against Renewable Energy Systems Ltd (a wind farm
company) for using the higher value of 0.86t/MWh. |
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Wind can replace nuclear |
Questionable |
The main role of nuclear power stations is to
produce cheap, base-load power essential for our
Western life-style for seven days a week and 24
hours a day all year. Wind is an unreliable ‘bit
player’ on the energy scene. It would take
1,500 wind turbines spread over 20 km2 to produce
the same electricity as a 1,000 megawatt nuclear
power station – even then it would only
be available when the wind blew and cannot, therefore,
provide base load. |
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National grid leakages |
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Using the National Grid to distribute electricity
is inefficient - When electricity travels along
the national grid there are leakages into the
atmosphere. The UK wastes approximately 30 billion
kWh of electricity a year; this is equivalent
to 8% of the national supply or the yearly output
of two medium-size power stations. It is almost
double the amount of electricity supplied by wind
farms and hydroelectricity combined (The Sunday
Times, 31.08.03).
from
http://www.turbineaction.co.uk/energy-conservation.htm |
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Government targets |
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Their target is 10% of electricity from renewable
sources - mainly wind power - by 2010, rising
to 20% by 2020. According to energy experts, this
is an unrealistic goal because of the vast number
of wind turbines required and their need for 100%
backup from traditional power plants.
from
http://www.turbineaction.co.uk/energy-conservation.htm |
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Carbon dioxide emissions |
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It is better to reduce the DEMAND for energy
than it is to generate MORE energy via renewable
sources.
In view of possible energy shortages, the best
way forward is to save energy and to help reduce
the growing demand for energy. Energy conservation
would reduce carbon dioxide emission and it would
also be the most economical option.
from
http://www.turbineaction.co.uk/energy-conservation.htm |
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Mismatch of supply and demand |
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During periods of high pressure weather systems
that bring cold winters and hot summers, wind
speeds are at low levels but demand is at its
highest. In other words, when demand is highest,
wind power makes its minimum contribution. The
output from wind turbines, besides being weather
dependent and therefore unreliable and unpredictable,
is extremely low in comparison to conventional
power stations.
from
http://www.turbineaction.co.uk/energy-conservation.htm |
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The Industrial Wind Action Group |
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This group was formed to counteract the misleading
information promulgated by the wind energy industry
and various environmental groups.
http://www.windaction.org |
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