Wind turbines

[willbick]

Im not sure yr getting my point. Im suggesting that, due to the way the National Grid actually functions, the electrical input provided by wind turbines is so small and unreliable that it is in effect of no use at all. I would be very interested to speak to a National Grid person off the record and hear their views. Of course they are all told to tow the party line on renewables but I bet privately they know in the main for the purposes of providing a RELIABLE USABLE AMOUNT OF POWER TO THE NATIONAL GRID they are a waste of space.

[birding dave]

Wind farms are a useless blot on the landscape. Ugly things that not only ruin the view, they are totally inefficient too - how many times do you see the darn things NOT turning, even though there's a good breeze blowing.

If the powers to be are so concerned about renewable enrgy, why are all new houses not fitted with solar panels on the roof? With a larger demand, the cost would come down. The long-term benefits would be enormous. We had one fitted to our new motorhome, it keeps the batteries topped up nicely, there's no real need now to use an electric hookup any more.

[excoriate]

Originally Posted by willbick

Im not sure yr getting my point. Im suggesting that, due to the way the National Grid actually functions, the electrical input provided by wind turbines is so small and unreliable that it is in effect of no use at all. I would be very interested to speak to a National Grid person off the record and hear their views. Of course they are all told to tow the party line on renewables but I bet privately they know in the main for the purposes of providing a RELIABLE USABLE AMOUNT OF POWER TO THE NATIONAL GRID they are a waste of space.

You don't need to speak to a National Grid person off the record, you need to do some proper research. I'll start you off by telling you to search for the Beauly to Denny powerline, and the reasons why it needs to be built.

[excoriate]

Originally Posted by birding dave

Wind farms are a useless blot on the landscape. Ugly things that not only ruin the view, they are totally inefficient too - how many times do you see the darn things NOT turning, even though there's a good breeze blowing.

If the powers to be are so concerned about renewable enrgy, why are all new houses not fitted with solar panels on the roof? With a larger demand, the cost would come down. The long-term benefits would be enormous. We had one fitted to our new motorhome, it keeps the batteries topped up nicely, there's no real need now to use an electric hookup any more.

First point is a bit stupid really, of course they won't turn if theres no breeze, they call them windfarms for a reason, they need wind. Where windfarms are placed, depends on the wind. No one would develop a windfarm if they weren't going to get a return on their investment. So, I would have to assume the turbines are either undergoing maintenance, or, you're lying.

Second point, a solar panel on each roof of 1000 houses would cost far more than 2million quid, and would be useful for about 10 years before it needs replacing. Pay off times of 18+ years mean its not economical or practical. A 2.0MW turbine would supply energy for 1000 homes, with pay back times of 9 months, and would be useful for 20-25 years.

Furthermore, its not new houses that are causing the problem. The housing stock renewal in this country is horrendous, with pretty much all stock constructed before 1990 in good need of pulling down and being rebuilt. They can neither keep the weather out, nor the warmth in!

[JW]

I'm sorry but has anyone addressed what to my mind is the major drawback of nuclear energy, the vast amount of unbelievably toxic waste?

Certain governments and many terrorist groups are trying to get hold of uranium or plutonium. Just a small amount of uranium in a small explosive device (a dirty bomb) in the centre of London will do a disproportionate amount of damage leaving vast areas unihabitable for thousands of years.

Yes it's relatively clean, but the potential for a major cock up and security breach is huge. Much, Much more money needs investing in renewable sources, I'm sure that with the drop in MPs allowances and so forth that a large sum should be available. Why can't all new builds be made from materials with a small carbon footprint, or the latest green inovations included. Surely a small wind turbine and solar water heating will take the edge off of our non-renewable consumption without breaking the bank? The reason it isn't happening at the moment is apathy within the building trade, and it is apathy.

Interesting thread, and there does seem to be some agreement that wind turbines are a help not a cure.

[Leafy]

From JW: Interesting thread, and there does seem to be some agreement that wind turbines are a help not a cure.

Quite right JW, there's definitely a place for wind power. There has to be. I don't really go in for this "not in my back yard" argument either. Without sounding too airy-fairy, we are one world after all. For some of the world economies, energy consumption is not being partially curtailed by some sense of liberal guilt, as I feel it is in the UK and the majority of other Western countries. China for example, who's economy is really starting to boom, uses 10% of the world energy. In fact, China builds a new coal fired power station every 5 days! There is currently a big effort being made to encourage these booming economies to embrace ecological technologies. With backing from a British company, 82 turbines have been placed in the Hebei province. It makes for an interesting read actually, check it out...

Land Rover UK - Our Planet - Our Planet

Essentially, shouldn't the moral of the story be, anything you can do to help, do it? As has been put forward countless times on this thread alone, there probably won't be just one answer.

[PDLyons]

Hiya, I have been looking at information on Wind Turbines since they have erected a few of them near where I live, the jury is still out for me wether they are good or bad, but you certainly can't miss them, when they go up.

I found this video while trawling around, certainly a diffrent take on things, it made me laugh also :

YouTube - War Of The Worlds, Wind turbines

[eccymase]

This is a wonderful thread that I have enjoyed reading a few posts from and inspired me to do my University research project on wind farms. If you could take two minutes to fill in this survey it will help me get a good range of results to analyse.

Is there a public preference between large on-shore wind farms and large off-shore wind farms in the British Isles?

Thanks for your time
Tom Mason
Harper Adams University

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by eccymase

This is a wonderful thread that I have enjoyed reading a few posts from and inspired me to do my University research project on wind farms.....

Survey completed.
However, I think it would have had more relevance if there had been information/question choice relating to relative costs of onshore v offshore installations, and relative efficiency of wind turbines in general, when compared to other forms of generating plant.

Good luck with your project.
Regards,
Mike.

[wanlock dod]

Eccymase,

I've completed the survey, but agree with Mike that it is probably better to consider these things alongside their alternatives, rather than in isolation.

A windfarm initself might not be a good thing, but the real question is whether or not it is any better or worse than a coal fired power station, an energy from waste plant, an oil refinery, an open cast mine, a reservoir for hydropower, a nuclear power station, a boimass fuel plantation, etc, etc.....

I might not like windfarms, but if the alternative is more open cast mining then I might well be a keen supporter of them.

Dod