Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
about 5% of the land in a wind farm is actually occupied by the turbines them-
selves. One huge advantage of wind energy is that it is a domestic source of energy;
in the United States, the wind supply is abundant.
On the other side of the coin, wind energy does have a few negatives—wind proj-
ects face opposition. Wind power must compete with conventional generation sources
on a cost basis. Even though the cost of wind power has decreased dramatically in the
past 10 years, the technology requires a higher initial investment than for fossil-fueled
generators. The challenge to using wind as a source of power is that the wind is inter-
mittent and does not always blow when electricity is needed. Wind energy cannot be
stored (unless batteries are being used), and not all winds can be harnessed to meet
the timing of electricity demands. Another problem is that good sites are often located
in remote locations, far from cities where the electricity is needed. Moreover, wind
resource development may compete with other uses for the land, and those alternative
uses may be more highly valued than electricity generation. Finally, with regard to
the environment, wind power plants have relatively little impact on the environment
compared to other conventional power plants, but there is some concern over the noise
produced by the rotor blades (most experts agree that wind turbine noise is generally
not a major concern beyond a half mile) and aesthetic (visual) impacts. Sometimes
birds are killed by flying into the rotors. Most of these problems have been resolved or
greatly reduced through technological development or by properly siting wind plants,
but the NIMBY point of view is still alive and strong in the United States and has suc-
ceeded in killing many projects, even renewable, clean energy projects.
Wind energy jobs are the proverbial double-edged sword. The development of wind
energy provides benefits related to moving us toward energy independence, creates
new jobs, and improves environmental conditions. However, wind energy jobs expose
workers to a number of safety hazards. Workers may be exposed to the same con-
ventional hazards found in most workplaces—such as slips, trips, and falls, confined
spaces, electrical, fire, and other similar hazards. Additionally, though, wind energy
workers may be exposed to new hazards, many of which have yet to be identified.
THOUGHT-PROVOKING QUESTIONS
2.1
What factors must be taken into account when considering wind energy as
an alternative renewable energy source? Explain.
2.2
In your opinion, is wind power a viable source of renewable energy?
2.3
When opponents of wind farms argue against them for aesthetic reasons,
the counter argument has been offered that the wind farm has to proceed
based on their ecological benefits alone, along the lines of “eat your spin-
ach” mode of persuasion. Does this argument make sense? Explain.
2.4
If you were assigned to design wind turbine farms to be aesthetically pleas-
ing, how would you do it?
2.5
How would you protect wildlife from wind turbine operation?
2.6
If a hillside was filled with oil rigs instead of wind turbines, would you then
prefer the wind turbines instead?
