PHYSICS BLOG

2008-07-25T20:50:00.000-07:00

Impact on wildlife

Birds

Danger to birds is often the main complaint against the installation of a wind turbine, but actual numbers are very low: studies show that the number of birds killed by wind turbines is negligible compared to the number that die as a result of other human activities and especially the environmental impacts of using non-clean power sources.

In the United States, turbines kill 70,000 birds per year, compared to 57 million killed by cars and 97.5 million killed by collisions with plate glass.

An article in Nature stated that each wind turbine kills on average 0.03 birds per year, or one kill per thirty turbines.

It notes that climate change poses a much more significant threat to wildlife, and therefore supports wind farms and other forms of renewable energy.

Some paths of bird migration, particularly for birds that fly by night, are unknown. A study suggests that migrating birds may avoid the large turbines, at least in the low-wind non-twilight conditions studied.

A survey at Altamont Pass, California, conducted by a California Energy Commission in 2004 showed that onshore turbines killed between 1,766 and 4,721 birds annually (881 to 1,300 of which were birds of prey). Radar studies of proposed onshore and near-shore sites in the eastern U.S. have shown that migrating songbirds fly well within the reach of large modern turbine blades.

Bats

The numbers of bats killed by existing onshore and near-shore facilities has troubled bat enthusiasts. A study in 2004 estimated that over 2200 bats were killed by 63 onshore turbines in just six weeks at two sites in the eastern U.S.This study suggests some onshore and near-shore sites may be particularly hazardous to local bat populations and more research is needed. Migratory bat species appear to be particularly at risk, especially during key movement periods (spring and more importantly in fall). Lasiurines such as the hoary bat, red bat, and the silver-haired bat appear to be most vulnerable at North American sites. Almost nothing is known about current populations of these species and the impact on bat numbers as a result of mortality at windpower locations. Offshore wind sites 10 km or more from shore do not interact with bat populations.

Fish

In Ireland, construction of a wind farm caused pollution feared to be responsible for wiping out vegetation and fish stocks.

A separate landslide is thought to have been caused by wind farm construction, and has killed thousands of fish by polluting the local rivers with sediment.

2008-07-25T20:47:00.000-07:00

Pros and Cons of Wind Energy

Pros of Wind Power:

Fossil fuel derived power causes deaths, illnesses, and contributes to environmental degradation; wind doesn't.
It is a domestic source, hence greater stability and security.
Wind power is more expensive now, but may be cheaper than fossil fuels in a few years time.
It is ample.
It is renewable.
It is widely distributed, hence cheap.
Reduces toxic gas emissions.
Generates no pollution
A more permanent type of energy.
Readily available around the globe, and therefore, no need of dependence for energy for any country.
Decreases the dependence on fossil fuels.
The answer to the globe's question of energy in the face of the rising petroleum and gas prices.
Provides income for farmers, owners and investors.

Cons of Wind Power:

Costs more to purchase. No separate budget for this.
Must trade off against other moral goods we could pursue.
Large number of turbines have to be built to generate a proper amount of wind energy.
The turbines create a lot of noise, which contributes to noise pollution.
Wind is unpredictable.
Wind Energy is non-dispatchable.
It is a variable source of energy.

2008-07-25T20:38:00.002-07:00

Energy conservation

u practice of decreasing the quantity of energy used

u efficient energy use

u the replacement of non-renewable resources with renewable energy

u most economical solution to energy shortages and environmentally friendly

Interesting learning points

Ø Studies show that the number of birds killed by wind turbines is negligible compared to the number that die as a result of other human activities and especially the environmental impacts of using non-clean power sources.

Ø The numbers of bats killed by existing onshore and near-shore facilities has troubled bat enthusiasts.

Ø In Ireland, construction of a wind farm caused pollution feared to be responsible for wiping out vegetation and fish stocks.

Ø The production of zero carbon electricity at the wind farm is expected to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by almost 300,000 tonnes a year, equivalent to taking 70,000 cars off the road.

Ø The 152-turbine project will be capable of powering 320,000 homes.

2008-07-25T20:38:00.001-07:00

BENEFITS OF WIND POWER

Ø Reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions

Ø Reduced sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions

Ø Reduced use of non-renewable energy

Ø The energy needed to build wind turbines
Ø is quickly recovered.

Ø Wind power uses less land.

Ø A wind energy system can provide a cushion against electric power price increases; it served as an alternative energy to save cost.

Ø Wind turbines generate electricity at around 5 cents per kWh.

Ø It is a sustainable source of energy and a clean source of energy

Ø It’s abundant and reliable.

2008-07-25T20:36:00.000-07:00

MY CASE STUDY ON SCOTLAND WIND POWER.

Wind power is the fastest growing of the renewable energy technologies in Scotland and the world's largest wind turbine generator (5 MW) is currently undergoing testing in the North Sea, 15 miles off the east coast.

Main wind farms in Scotland that generates windpower are:

· Black Law Wind Farm

· Hadyard Hill Wind Farm

· Whitelee Wind Farm

· Clyde Wind Farm

2008-04-04T04:25:00.000-07:00

OUR PROPOSAL :D

Title of SIA
BLOW WIND BLOW

Briefly describe the ‘green’ issue chosen

Basically, we will be touching on energy conservation issues and we have chosen to research on wind power, a way of conversion of wind energy. Energy conservation is the practice of decreasing the quantity of energy used. It may be achieved through efficient energy use, in which case energy use is decreased while achieving a similar outcome, or by reduced consumption of energy services. It facilitates the replacement of non-renewable resources with renewable energy. Energy conservation is often the most economical solution to energy shortages, and is a more environmentally benign alternative to increased energy production.
State the rationale for your group’s choice of ‘green’ issue

Wind power converts wind energy into useful forms, such as electricity, using wind turbines. Also, wind energy is plentiful, renewable, widely distributed, clean, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions when it displaces fossil-fuel-derived electricity. Therefore, we find it rather environmentally-friendly and interesting in the sense that we may do case studies on countries that use this potential turbine power. Besides environmental impacts, we would be able to get information on wildlife impacts through the use of wind turbines. Our aim is also to allow more people to know about this technique that’s used in other countires and thus, recognise it as an alternative renewable source of energy.

Briefly list the physics principle(s) related to the ‘green’ issue

ü Kinetic energy of the wind as a power that converts and generates into other useful forms.
ü Principle of conversion of energy.

Identify sources of reference materials that could be used in your research

Environmental books found in libraries
Internet research
Physics Insights textbook for physics concepts

xoxo,

yimeng :D