Wind Power News: News
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
No ruling yet on Lowell restraining order
NEWPORT, VT – In a continuation of last week’s battle between Don and Shirley Nelson and Green Mountain Power (GMP), attorneys for the parties examined and cross-examined a number of witnesses Tuesday, including two local surveyors, Paul Hannon and Norbert Blais. Don Nelson is arguing that Blais’ original survey of the property line between Nelson and Benjamin “Trip” Wileman, where the GMP wind powers are being constructed, was inaccurate and that a property agreement between Nelson and Wileman was arrived . . .
How wind turbines harm bats
It seems that for every report praising wind turbines for offering an alternative to carbon-based energy, there is another report that the massive structures are responsible for the deaths of flying animals such as birds and bats. Although numerous studies have attempted to quantify the impact of turbines on wildlife populations by counting carcasses found at wind farms, there is still some mystery about how the impacted animals died in the first place. Did they collide with some part of . . .
Smart sensors stop flickering wind turbines
Complaints about wind turbines are nothing new – the noise of the machines and their impact on picturesque landscapes are common irritants. But there is another hated side effect: shadow flicker. “Shadow flicker drives people mad, even if they keep their curtains shut or their blinds down,” says Angela Kelly, head of Country Guardian, a British anti-wind-turbine pressure group. As each turbine blade sweeps around, repetitive, strobing shadows can be cast on houses when the sun is low in the . . .
Gamesa launches new 2-4.5MW turbines
SPAIN: Gamesa has made three additions to its medium-low wind speed range of wind turbines. The new additions will be a G97 2MW and G128 4.5MW turbine for class IIa medium wind speeds. The third will be the G136 4.5MW turbine for class III low wind speeds. The manufacturer is launching the new products at CanWEA this week. Last year, Gamesa launched the G97 2MW for low-wind sites. The two G97 models will be available with tower heights of 78, . . .
Mount Massaemet wind farm hearing delayed
SHELBURNE — To give other town boards more time to study a proposal for a commercial wind farm, the Zoning Board of Appeals will delay Thursday’s scheduled public hearing on the Mount Massaemet Wind Farm proposal until Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall. Because the hearing date was previously advertised, the ZBA will open the public hearing Thursday at 7:30 p.m., but will immediately adjourn it until Nov. 17, upon the request by other town boards, and based on . . .
Film on industrial wind power to be shown at Westfield YWCA Friday
WESTFIELD — The Chautauqua County Citizens for Responsible Wind Power (CCCRWP) will host a free showing of “Windfall,” a feature-length film on a community’s experience of wind power development, at the Westfield YWCA, 58 Portage Street in Westfield. The showing, at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 16, is open to the public. “Windfall” has screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, Woodstock Film Festival and other important documentary film venues. The Talking Picture Festival competition awarded the . . .
Renewed interest in wind energy
A 115-turbine wind farm proposed for Seneca and Crawford counties is the topic of a meeting Thursday. The meeting is planned for 5:30-7 p.m. at Bloomville Community Center. It involves a project called Honey Creek Wind Energy Center proposed by NextEra Energy, based in Juno Beach, Fla. According to information from the company, up to 115 turbines would be spread across about 14,000 acres in Bloomville and Bloom and Venice townships in Seneca County, and in Lykens and Chatfield townships . . .
GE guts offshore wind-power plans
General Electric, the U.S.-based industrial giant and leading manufacturer of wind-power turbines, is scaling back efforts to expand its presence in the offshore wind power market. The rationale: there is no meaningful offshore wind market to speak of – at least not yet. Given slower-than-expected industry growth, the offshore market may not mature as rapidly as many wind boosters once believed. In 2009, GE moved into the offshore market by acquiring Norway’s ScanWind, a developer of direct-drive turbines, based in . . .
Forecast for wind turbine market cut -consultant
The global wind turbine market will only grow by 10 percent annually in 2011-16 and not 11 percent as earlier estimated, wind energy specialist MAKE Consulting said in a report. Denmark-based MAKE Consulting lowered its forecast for the amount of wind turbine capacity that will be connected to the grid in the period up to 2016 to 315 gigawatts from an earlier forecast of 324 GW given three months ago. The new forecast is primarily based on reduced expectations for . . .
Wind farms good for sea life – but not birds
Wind farms are good for almost all sea life living around them, according to new research backed by the industry. For as long as wind farms have been proposed, organisations representing the natural environment, birds and animals have been concerned about the schemes. But while this latest research is mostly positive about wind farms it also reveals that, even with specially chosen locations, bird deaths ‘would have to be accepted’. The research, funded by NoordzeeWind a joint venture between Nuon . . .
