Wind farms look like a very promising source for energy. However, they are not without their problems. Wind turbines stir the air bringing down the higher-level air and bringing up the lower-level air and mixing them together. This creates a cooling effect during the day and a warming effect during the night. In some regions, where winds are stronger at night and the warming effect dominates, some frost protection is provided and the growing season for crops may be locally and shortly extended (3). The warm air coming down is not always beneficial, however. The warm winds being brought closer to the surface can cause the evaporation of the moisture in the soil and cause problems for crops. This may lead to increased costs for irrigation (2). Also, in coastal areas, where the day winds are stronger and the cooling effect dominates, problems can occur (3).
Crops are not the only things affected by the stirring of the air caused by the turbines. Weather radars are also affected and the results can be dangerous. During storms, the turbulence caused by the wind turbines appears on the radar in the same way a tornado would. This is picked up by the computerized systems and warnings can be sent out when nothing is there. The weather forecasters often catch these mistakes and cancel the alerts. However, when forecasters are the ones making quick decisions, though frequently erring on the side of caution, may easily spot the signal and disregard it as a wind turbine when it may actually be a sever weather pattern (1).
One researcher suggests that replacing the routers that the blades spin around with more efficient and updated ones will significantly help the turbulence given off by the turbines (2). Also, some researchers have pointed out that the problems are increased when the farms are within 11 miles of the radar stations, which can be solved by working with the farm owners to move into locations that will have less effect on the radars. However, since both wind farmers and meteorologists both desire the same locations due to high elevations and flat clear lands being optimal for both purposes, this arrangement is a frequent problem (1).
All information above was found in the following articles:
1. http://www.thestar.com/sciencetech/article/686890
2. http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2005/1012-wind_farms_impacting_weather.htm
3. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101005121726.htm
1 comment:
I thought that this post was really interesting. I never realized that even "clean" fuel options like wind energy can have a harmful impact on the environment. I never would have considered how wind farms can have a huge impact on crop farms. It really shows that we need to be careful in considering the sites selected for any type of power plant. Wind farms, crop farms, and meteorologists all vie for the same sites. Hopefully, the new routers will be implemented so that wind farms can peacefully coexist with other farms and weather radar sites.
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