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RESEARCH

Environmental

While wind power is a renewable and clean way to produce power, it is unfortunate that many misinterpret this as equating to a saving in greenhouse gas emissions, and/or being good for the environment. Remember that conventional power plants must always run on standby to accomodate the intermittent wind power. It is important to note that we already have reliable, clean energy in many areas. For example, both nuclear and hydro power produce no additional greenhouse gas emissions and are very reliable. When dealing with large industrial wind turbines, there are many additional environmental factors that must be investigated. The links below offer reliable and up-to-date scientific research, articles, reports, and papers that deal with the environmental concerns of large industrial wind turbines.

• Calculating the Real Cost of Industrial Wind Power: An information update for Ontario electricity consumers
  Compiled by: Keith Stelling, MA (McMaster), MNIMH, Dip. Phyt.,
  MCPP (England)
  Date Published: November, 2007
• Reduction in CO2 Emissions - Estimating the Potential Contribution from Wind Power
  Author(s): David White, BSc, C Eng, F I Chem E
  Date Published: December 2004
  A report commissioned and published by the Renewable Energy Foundation in the UK that outlines the potential reduction of CO2 emissions, or lack thereof, from operating wind turbines.
• Estimation of Real Emissions Reduction Caused by Wind Generators
  Author(s): O. Liik, R. Oidram, M. Keel
  Date Published: June 2003
  A paper that discusses how and why emissions reductions in a thermal based power grid are not proportional to the electricity production of wind turbines. An example calculation of real emissions reduction/gain is based on Estonian and Danish data.
  

Noise

Noise from large industrial wind turbines is typically associated with the audible sound spectrum (noise that is heard by humans). However, noise from wind turbines is much more complicated and encompasses many different separate concerns. Noise can be attributed to many different health concerns, and decreases quality of life for nearby residents.

• Noise Radiation from Wind Turbines Installed Near Homes -
  Effects on Health
  Author(s): Barbara J Frey, BA, MA, and Peter J Hadden, BSc, FRICS
  Date Published: February 2007
  A report on the health effects caused by industrial wind turbines. The report contains first-hand accounts by individuals affected by industrial wind turbines, and also contains annotated reviews of research articles pertaining to the field of wind turbine acoustics.

Wildlife

Any type of industrial facility can have profound affects on surrounding wildlife, or on migratory wildlife. Large industrial wind turbines are no different. They can pose significant threats to all kinds of wildlife.

• Wind Turbines and Wildlife: A Literature Review

Planning Studies

Proper planning relating to the planning of industrial wind generating facilities must take place at all levels of government, in addition to the necessary planning that should be expected from individual developers. If proper planning is in place (ie. setbacks, noise guidelines, etc.), the numerous problems with large industrial tubines can largely be avoided.

• Windpower & Renewable Energy Planning Study
  Author(s): Jones Consulting Group, Ltd.
  Date Published: September 2007
  This is the final revision of the background research paper prepared by Jones Consulting Group as part of the wind and renewable energy study that has been running since June 2007 and will continue until January 2008 for the County of Essex.