Wind Energy Myths and
Facts
Brian Antonich
Windustry Program Analyst
Great Lakes Regional Wind Institute
Webinar #1 – Windy Landowner Education
September 13th, 2007
Wind Energy Potential
20% Plan From the U.S. DOE
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20% of the
nation’s electrical
needs can be
provided by
wind!
Currently the US supplies just under 1% of it’s
electrical energy needs from wind
Radar and Wind Turbines
Additional Information
Wind and Radar
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Wind projects close to operating radar sites
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F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming – two 660-kW turbines
http://www.afcee.brooks.af.mil/ms/msp/center/Vol11No3/10.asp
U.S. Navy at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba – four 950-kW turbines
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Mar2005/20050329_342.html
U.S. Air Force Space Command on Ascension Island – four 225-kW and two 900-kW
turbines http://www.inl.gov/powersystems/ascension_island.shtml
U.S. Navy at San Clemente Island Base – three 225-kW turbines
http://www.nelp.navy.mil/pdf_cases/Conservation_Wind_Power_SCI.pdf
Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts – near Hull, MA turbines
http://www.ceere.org/rerl/publications/whitepapers/AWEA_Hull_2003.pdf
Experts and resources
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Gary Seifert – Idaho National Laboratory – Presentation on Wind Radar Interference
http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/pdfs/workshops/2006
_summit/seifert.pdf
Laurie Jodziewicz – Communications and Policy Specialist – American Wind Energy
Association
Wind Energy and
Ascetics/Property Values
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Concerns brought up at public hearings
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Important to understand the underlying
issues:
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Land use plays a large factor
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property values,
perceived public health risks,
visual nuisance,
or money
Agriculture – traditionally low opposition
Forested – wildlife impacts
Mountain top – strong visual concerns
Recreational – property values and visual
concerns
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
Proper Siting Can Balance a Wind
Projects Visual Impact
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Communities can develop policies to
safely and appropriately site projects
based on community values and
appropriate use of wind systems
Excellent Resources
Wind Project Siting Issues
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Siting and Permitting Publications National
Wind Coordinating Collaborative
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http://www.nationalwind.org/publications/siting.
htm
Ryan Wiser – Laurence Berkeley National
Laboratory Do Wind Facilities Affect Local
Property Values?
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http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind
poweringamerica/pdfs/workshops/2007_summit/
wiser.pdf
Wind Energy and Sound
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Wind systems are typically
sited in windy areas
where the sound of the
wind generally masks
noise from the machines.
Chart shows noise from wind turbine at
approximately 1,000 feet from the machine.
Wind Energy and Sound
Today's turbines are
much quieter than
older technology.
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Gearbox and generator in a 1.65 MW
wind turbine owned by Iowa Lakes
Community College in Estherville, Iowa.
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Sound proofing of
nacelle
More efficient blades
Quieter gear boxes
Slower moving rotors
Excellent Resources
Wind Energy and Sound
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British Wind Energy Association
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Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
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Noise From Wind Turbines The facts:
http://www.britishwindenergy.co.uk/ref/noise.html
A Guide to Noise Control in Minnesota: Acoustical Properties,
Measurements, Analysis, Regulation
http://proteus.pca.state.mn.us/waste/pubs/noise.pdf
Wind Turbine Manufactures
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Provide sound emission information for turbines:
http://www.windustry.org/your-wind-project/wind-energycompanies/wind-energy-companies
Wind Turbines and Safety
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Epileptic Seizures:
Modern wind turbine blades generally rotate
between 10-22 rpm, which is slow. Epileptic
seizures for photosensitive people are triggered by
rates of 5 to 30 flashes per second. The blades
of today's wind turbines do not spin quickly enough
to cause seizures. At maximum rotational speed,
there would be a little more than 1 flash per
second.
For more information about photosensitivity and epilepsy visit the
Epilepsy Foundation’s website:
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/types/triggers/photosensitivity.cfm
Wind Turbines and Safety
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Ice Throw:
“Ice throw, while it can occur under certain
conditions, is of little danger. Setbacks
typically used to minimize noise are sufficient
to protect against danger to the public. In
addition, ice buildup slows a turbine's rotation
and will be sensed by a turbine's control
system, causing the turbine to shut down.”
Source: American Wind Energy Association – Wind Energy Myths vs. Facts
http://www.awea.org/pubs/factsheets/050629_Myths_vs_Facts_Fact_Sheet.pdf
Wind Turbines and Safety
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Blade Throw:
“Blade throws were common in the
industry's early years, but are
unheard-of today because of better
turbine design and engineering….
There are thousands of turbines
installed in Europe and…in the U.S. wind turbine standards ensure a high
level of operational reliability and
safety in the U.S. and worldwide.”
Source: American Wind Energy Association
Spirit Lake, Iowa
Wind Energy Myths vs. Facts
http://www.awea.org/pubs/factsheets/050629_Myths_vs_Facts_Fact_Sheet.pdf
Wind Energy
Avian Impacts
“Significant expansion of
renewable energy sources such
as wind power is needed to
reduce pollution from fossil fuels
and address global warming…[t]o
protect birds, wildlife, and habitat
from global warming[.] Fossil fuel
power plants account for more
than one third of the carbon
dioxide emitted by the United
States.”
Mike Daulton
Director of Conservation Policy,
National Audubon Society
Erickson, et al, 2002, A Summary and Comparison of Bird Mortality from
Anthropogenic Causes with and Emphasis on Collisions
http://www.awea.org/pubs/factsheets/050629_Myths_vs_Facts_Fact_Sheet.pdf
Wind Turbines and Bats
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Wildlife experts are perplexed about the cause of
bat fatalities inflicted by wind turbines.
The National Wind Coordinating Collaborative is
actively studying the issue.
For more information about the efforts to
understand this problem and other wind/wildlife
issues visit the NWCC Wildlife Workgroup website:
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http://www.nationalwind.org/workgroups/wildlife/
Photos of Bats: Edward B. Arnett
Bat Conservation International
Cost of Wind Energy
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Wind energy typically
offsets higher cost
natural gas fired
peaking plants.
Large penetrations of
wind complement
hydro electric dams
in the NW very well.
Cost of Wind Energy
Source: US Department of Energy: Annual Report of U.S. Wind Power
Installation, Cost and Performance Trends:2006
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy07osti/41435.pdf
Cost of Wind Energy
Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Annual Report of U.S. Wind Power
Installation, Cost and Performance Trends:2006
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy07osti/41435.pdf
Cost of Wind Energy
Minnesota Wind Integration Study
Full study report and results of other U.S. Wind Integration Studies
can be found by visiting the Utility Wind Integration Group Website:
http://www.uwig.org/
Wind Energy and Subsidies
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Every energy technology is subsidized. Wind energy is no
exception. Wind receives a tax credit that provides an inflation-adjusted
1.5 cents for each kilowatt-hour generated, over the first ten years of
the project. This credit reduces the tax liability of a wind farm, but is
not a subsidy of public money flowing to the wind farm owner.
Subsidies that other energy sources receive:
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tax deductions
loan guarantees
liability insurance
leasing of public lands at below market prices.
Additional indirect subsidies include federal money for research and
development programs and policy provisions in federal legislation.
Source: American Wind Energy Association – Wind Energy Myths vs. Facts
http://www.awea.org/pubs/factsheets/050629_Myths_vs_Facts_Fact_Sheet.pdf
Thanks and Questions?
Brian Antonich
Windustry Program Analyst
Brian’s email: brian@windustry.org
Phone: 612-870-3465
www.windustry.org