September 23, 2012
Scotland

Turbines may increase emissions: report

The Courier | 22 September 2012

Campaigners who called for permanent air quality monitoring stations in towns surrounding a Fife chemical plant have raised concerns that recently-erected wind turbines could be increasing concentrations of emissions locally.

A new academic study by Glasgow University entitled Interaction of an Eulerian Flue Gas Plume with Wind Turbines warns of “an increase in the concentration of plume material (which may include pollutant gas and particulates) around the wind turbine.”

Kennedy Renewables has planning permission to put up nine 410-feet turbines at Shell and ExxonMobil’s ethylene plant near Cowdenbeath. Airvolution Energy has the green light to erect a further two turbines. James Glen, who is leading the campaign, has written to politicians and community councillors seeking support.

“Whilst nothing can be done about the turbines, there is certainly steps that can be taken to positively protect the community from any potential negative impacts that have been identified in the (Glasgow University) research papers,” he told The Courier.

“One step forward would be the installation of permanent monitoring stations.

“Currently there are only four permanent stations in Fife – at Cupar, Rosyth, Dunfermline, and Kirkcaldy.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/09/23/turbines-may-increase-emissions-report/