Are Wind Farms a Good Idea?

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Are Wind Farms a Good Idea?
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Summary of Sources - Against
GWEC Global Wind Energy Council Canada GWEC, n.d.
Web. 11 Feb. 2010. ltwww.gwec.net/index.php?.id120
gt.
"Office of Energy Efficiency." government
website. Natural Resources of Canada, 2007. Web.
11 Feb. 2010.
Rogers, Anthony L., and James F. Manwell. "Wind
Turbine Noise Issues." publication from a
university. N.p., June 2002. Web. 11 Feb. 2010.
ltwww.npp.ca/images/windturbinenoiseissues.pdfgt.
Rosenbloom, Eric. "A Problem with Wind Power."
AWEO organization AWEO, 2005. Web. 11 Feb.
2010. ltwww.aweo.org/Problemwithwind.htmlgt.
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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

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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

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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 impact
  with promotion of energy efficiency within homes

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Resources
Books Gipe, 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 Websites Statistics Canada
Website www.statscan.gc.ca Environment Canada
Website www.ec.gc.ca/pdb/ghg/inventory_report/200
7 Canadian Tire Website www.canadiantire.ca
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Background InformationFor

• 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
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• In 2007 Canadas 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

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Wind Power is a Good Option

• Ecological
• Wind power is 100 renewable energy
• Wind is a renewable resource which will never be
  consumed
• 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)

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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