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Are Wind Farms a Good Idea?

Are Wind Farms a Good Idea?. Summary of Sources Against. GWEC Global Wind Energy Council Canada GWEC, n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2010. <www.gwec.net/index.php?.id=120>. "Office of Energy Efficiency." government website. Natural Resources of Canada, 2007. Web. 11 Feb. 2010.

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Are Wind Farms a Good Idea?

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  1. Are Wind Farms a Good Idea?

  2. Summary of Sources Against GWEC Global Wind Energy Council Canada GWEC, n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2010. <www.gwec.net/index.php?.id=120>. "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. <www.npp.ca/images/windturbinenoiseissues.pdf>. Rosenbloom, Eric. "A Problem with Wind Power." AWEO organization AWEO, 2005. Web. 11 Feb. 2010. <www.aweo.org/Problemwithwind.html>.

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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 environmental impact with promotion of energy efficiency within homes

  6. Resources - For 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/2007 Canadian Tire Website www.canadiantire.ca

  7. Background Information “For” • 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 replenished in a short period of time • Greenhouse Gas Emissions • In 2007 Canada’s 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

  8. 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)

  9. 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

  10. Canada's installed wind capacity Source(s):  Canadian Wind Energy Association, "Canada's Current Installed Capacity,” http://www.canwea.ca/production_stats.cfm (accessed March 5, 2008).

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