"A fool and his money are soon parted"
Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry
Thomas Tusser
Every now and again I think it is important to dig out as much information as possible concerning subjects which conflate facts with hyperbole. Wind energy is such an example. It has been quite a while since I have heard as much misinformation, disinformation and out and out garbage about an emerging technology. Hopefully, I can clear some of that up.
Lets first start with availability and cost. Wind energy, along with the other renewables, account for less than 10% of our energy usage. Every study that I have read to date has shown the cost of wind generated energy is higher, sometimes by a third, over nuclear, natural gas or coal fired plants. In any event, with the fluctuations of fossil fuel energy on the world market, this number is always a candidate for revision and dispute.
However the health issue is becoming much more defined as time has gone on. Dr. Nina Pierpont, a Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine-trained M.D. and Princeton Ph.D., has done quite a bit of research of the long term effects of living close to wind farms.
Dr. Pierpoint points out "that living too close to wind turbines can cause heart disease, tinnitus, vertigo, panic attacks, migraines and sleep deprivation." In addition, based on studies she has done in Europe and Canada, she has identified what is now referred to as Wind Turbine Syndrome or WTS. After studying this for over five years, she goes on to say
"The disruption of the inner ear’s vestibular system by low-frequency noise from the turbines is causing problems ranging from internal pulsation and quivering to nervousness, fear, a compulsion to flee, chest tightness and increased heart rate." The reaction to Dr. Pierpoint's findings by the wind power industry - "crap" (so to speak).
The cost is not competitive, the health risks to humans are just being discovered and now I will address the largest unintended consequence of this technology - lethality to birds and bats. In August 2011, The American Bird Conservancy (ABC), observed the following: "Upward of 14 birds per megawatt of wind energy are killed each year, numbering more than 440,000. In addition, the organization projects the number will rise substantially as wind energy production increases." Videos taken by environmental groups have shown raptors, such as Golden Eagles flying into a windmill blade and then falling lifelessly to the ground.
What is the most interesting about Golden Eagles or Bald Eagles being killed by windmills is the severity of the federal law which protects them:Lets first start with availability and cost. Wind energy, along with the other renewables, account for less than 10% of our energy usage. Every study that I have read to date has shown the cost of wind generated energy is higher, sometimes by a third, over nuclear, natural gas or coal fired plants. In any event, with the fluctuations of fossil fuel energy on the world market, this number is always a candidate for revision and dispute.
However the health issue is becoming much more defined as time has gone on. Dr. Nina Pierpont, a Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine-trained M.D. and Princeton Ph.D., has done quite a bit of research of the long term effects of living close to wind farms.
Dr. Pierpoint points out "that living too close to wind turbines can cause heart disease, tinnitus, vertigo, panic attacks, migraines and sleep deprivation." In addition, based on studies she has done in Europe and Canada, she has identified what is now referred to as Wind Turbine Syndrome or WTS. After studying this for over five years, she goes on to say
"The disruption of the inner ear’s vestibular system by low-frequency noise from the turbines is causing problems ranging from internal pulsation and quivering to nervousness, fear, a compulsion to flee, chest tightness and increased heart rate." The reaction to Dr. Pierpoint's findings by the wind power industry - "crap" (so to speak).
The cost is not competitive, the health risks to humans are just being discovered and now I will address the largest unintended consequence of this technology - lethality to birds and bats. In August 2011, The American Bird Conservancy (ABC), observed the following: "Upward of 14 birds per megawatt of wind energy are killed each year, numbering more than 440,000. In addition, the organization projects the number will rise substantially as wind energy production increases." Videos taken by environmental groups have shown raptors, such as Golden Eagles flying into a windmill blade and then falling lifelessly to the ground.
"... the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act ... This law, originally passed in 1940, provides for the protection of the bald eagle and the golden eagle ..."Take" includes pursue, shoot, shoot at, poison, wound, kill, capture, trap, collect, molest or disturb (16 U.S.C. 668c; 50 CFR 22.3). The 1972 amendments increased civil penalties for violating provisions of the Act to a maximum fine of $5,000 or one year imprisonment with $10,000 or not more than two years in prison for a second conviction. Felony convictions carry a maximum fine of $250,000 or two years of imprisonment. The fine doubles for an organization. Rewards are provided for information leading to arrest and conviction for violation of the Act."
Finally, lets not forget about bats. Reports are that dead bats are turning up beneath wind turbines all over the world, including North America. Currently, the estimated number of bats killed by wind turbines numbers in the thousands per year. To date, nobody understands why bats are attracted to wind turbines, but they are. Depending on the species, one bat can consume up to 8,000 mosquitoes in one hour. With malaria on the rise in certain areas of the world, do we really want to kill these mosquitoes eating machines?
Bottom line is this - is there room for renewable energy in our future - absolutely! However, wind turbines definitely have ways to go before it is viable and has minimal externalities of production and usage. We need to take a second look at this technology before more valuable money, resources and wildlife are blown, or just plain blown away.
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