Are Wind Farms a Good Idea?

Summary of Sources Against

Rosenbloom, Eric. "A Problem with Wind Power." AWEO organization AWEO, 2005. Web. 11

Feb. 2010.

<www.aweo.org/Problemwithwind.html>.

Rogers, Anthony L., and James F. Manwell. "Wind Turbine Noise Issues." publication

from a university. N.p., June 2002. Web. 11 Feb. 2010.

<www.npp.ca/images/windturbinenoiseissues.pdf>.

"Office of Energy Efficiency." government website. Natural Resources of Canada, 2007.

Web. 11 Feb. 2010.

GWEC Global Wind Energy Council Canada GWEC, n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2010.

<www.gwec.net/index.php?.id=120>.

Background - Against

Scientific Noise

Undesirable sound

Waves audible range is 20 Hz to 20 000 Hz Pressure fluctuations of the air

Electrical Energy Electrical energy production must meet the electrical

energy demand AT THAT TIME

Arguments Against Ecological

Placed in mountains – migration patterns affected

2000 bats were killed in a 2 month period in West Virginia

Mountain fog compounds issue

Weight of turbine requires massive blasting into the rock

Scientific and Health Sound is added to existing sound causing an increase in amplitude

Sound is created from rotation and wind interfering with the rotating blades

Sound intensity falls off exponentially – recommended below 65 dB

Arguments Against

Political and Economical Only 1% of electricity in Canada in 2008 came from wind

Residential energy use in Canada in 2007 was only 38.5% electricity (Natural Gas, wood, oil) only a 2% increase from 1990

Equipment can be damaged in high winds so it is often shut down

Most jobs created are only associated with construction

Requires the construction of new transmission lines – added costs

Global Wind Energy Council, a pro wind association, links construction with government subsidy

Government initiated carbon tax required to support wind turbine development

Government subsidies would have a greater environmental impact with promotion of energy efficiency within homes

Resources - For

BooksGipe, Paul. (2006) Wind Power- Renewable Energy for Home, Farm and Business, Chelsea Green Publishing, White River Junction, Vermont

Hau, Erich. (2006). Wind turbines: fundamentals, technologies, applications and economics, Birkhauser, Heidelberg Germany

WebsitesStatistics Canada Website

www.statscan.gc.ca Environment Canada Website

www.ec.gc.ca/pdb/ghg/inventory_report/2007Canadian Tire Website

www.canadiantire.ca

Background Information“For”

Wind turbines and power generation

• Wind turbines generate power by wind turning a rotor

• This mechanical energy is then converted into electrical energy

Renewable Energy

• Energy which comes from a source that is replenished in a short period of time

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• In 2007 Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions were 747 Mt- this is 33.8% above the previous Kyoto target

• Energy generation from fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) are major contributors to these emissions

Wind Power is a Good Option

Ecological

1. Wind power is 100% renewable energy

– Wind is a renewable resource which will never be consumed

2. Wind power is emission free

– Since no fossil fuels are being burned in the process, there is no greenhouse gas emissions

– Also no harmful by-products (like there would be with nuclear)

Wind Power is a Good Option

Economic

3. Less energy production loss during times of repairs

– One wind turbine can be repaired will others are still generating electricity

4. Option for individuals to generate power “off-the-grid”

– Air X 400 X Wind Generator can be purchased at Canadian Tire $800.00

– Generates 38kW/month, average household uses 1000kWh per month

Canada's installed wind capacity

Source(s):  Canadian Wind Energy Association, "Canada's Current Installed Capacity,” http://www.canwea.ca/production_stats.cfm (accessed March 5, 2008).