Myths & Facts
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF COMMON QUESTIONS THAT ARE OFTEN RAISED IN RELATION TO WIND POWER AND THESE ARE ADDRESSED BELOW. FURTHER INFORMATION CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE www.embracewind.com WEBSITE.
MYTH: Wind farms won’t help climate change
FACT: Wind power is a clean, renewable source of energy and just one modern wind turbine will save over 5,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. Fossil fuel power stations are the largest contributor to UK carbon emissions.
MYTH: Wind farms don’t produce when the wind doesn’t blow
True, but, In the UK the wind always blows somewhere. A study by Oxford University concluded that concerns about wind farms not generating for long periods of time all at once when calm conditions extend across the UK are unjustified. The study found that the UK was never entirely becalmed, and that a diversified portfolio of wind power developments would deliver electricity during all hours. Based on our calculations, using the meteorological data gathered on site between 2003 and 2005, we estimate that the wind farm at Nigg, will produce electricity 82% of the time, generating different amounts depending on wind speed.
MYTH: Wind farms are inefficient generators of electricity, they only generate electricity 30% of the time
FACT: A modern wind turbine produces electricity 70-85% of the time, but it generates different outputs dependent on wind speed. Over the course of a year, it will generate about 30% of the theoretical maximum output. This is known as its load factor. The load factor of conventional power stations is on average 50% 5. A modern wind turbine will generate enough to meet the electricity demands of more than a thousand homes over the course of a year. For a particularly windy site such as Nigg the capacity factor could be as high as 42%.
MYTH: Wind energy needs back-up to work
FACT: All forms of power generation require back up, or reserve, as no energy technology can be relied upon 100%. The UK’s transmission system already operates with considerable reserve in order to manage the significant fluctuations in demand that occur throughout the day, as well as the instantaneous loss of a large power station. Variations in the output from wind farms are barely noticeable over and above the normal fluctuation in supply and demand. At present there is no need for additional back-up because of wind farms.
MYTH: Wind farms are noisy
FACT: Modern wind turbines are remarkably quiet. Changes to turbine technology mean that mechanical noise from turbines is now considered to be almost undetectable. The main sound is the swoosh of the blades turning and this can generally only be heard close by. Standing at the foot of a turbine you would not have to raise your voice to hold a conversation. Government guidelines on wind turbines and noise emissions set noise thresholds to ensure the protection of people living nearby. However, the best way to find out is to go and visit an operating wind farm.
MYTH: The UK should invest in other renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency instead of wind power
FACT: The UK is investing in other renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency measures to meet our energy needs. Renewables Obligation Certificates (the main support mechanism on which wind generation relies) is available to a wide range of renewable technologies. Onshore wind is one of the most cost effective and efficient renewable energy sources available at present and, accordingly, it is the leading provider of new renewable generation capacity.
MYTH: Wind farms kill birds
The RSPB stated in its’ 2004 information leaflet ‘Wind Farms and Birds’, that “in the UK, we have not so far witnessed any major adverse effects on birds associated with wind farms”. RSPB therefore support wind farms that are well sited. Moreover, a recent report published in the journal ‘Nature’ confirmed that the greatest threat to bird populations in the UK is climate change.
MYTH: Wind farms should all be put out at sea like the two Beatrice Turbines
FACT: We will need a mix of both onshore and offshore wind energy to meet the UK’s challenging targets on climate change. At present, onshore wind is more economical than development offshore and offshore wind farms take longer to develop, as the sea is a more hostile environment.
MYTH: Wind farms are ugly and unpopular
FACT: Whether you think a wind turbine is attractive or not will always be your personal opinion. However, studies regularly show that most people find turbines an interesting feature of the landscape. On average 80% of the public support wind energy, less than 10% are against it, with the remainder undecided.
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