Wind Power News: October 2013
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Wind turbine goes up in flames
[A wind turbine burned Sunday in Bördekreis in Sachsen-Anhalt. Firefighters stood by helpless, watching a million euros destroyed. It was not the first such event.] Windrad geht in Flammen auf Düsseldorf. Es sind atemberaubende Aufnahmen, die im Bördekreis in Sachsen-Anhalt entstanden sind. Ein Windrad steht in Flammen – und mehr als ein Dutzend Feuerwehrmänner stehen in voller Einsatzmontur hilflos davor. Nun ermittelt die Polizei nach der Ursache des Brandes – nach Informationen des MDR werde als Grund für den Brand . . . Complete story »
Grafton cut from wind farm; Project scaled back, has fewer turbines
The wind energy developer that planned to erect more than three dozen turbines in Grafton, Danbury and Alexandria has scaled back the project, leaving Grafton out of the mix. Some Grafton officials and residents said they are fine with that. “I am personally pleased that they are not going to build in Grafton,” Selectboard Chairman Steve Darrow said of the Wild Meadows Wind Farm project. “We had several articles on the warrant in March and the town voted overwhelmingly that . . . Complete story »
Wind farms knock eight per cent off average home value, property experts reveal
Estate agents say controversial wind farms can reduce the value of nearby homes by up to eight per cent Property experts said the controversial structures, which campaigners say are a blight on the British landscape, can reduce the value of homes by up to eight per cent. In August The Daily Telegraph reported that, according to coalition sources, a secret report into the impact of wind farms on rural house prices is being blocked by officials at the Department of . . . Complete story »
Fair Wind project looks to build 15 new turbines
OAKLAND – The Maryland Public Service Commission will hold a public hearing in November on an application for the Fair Wind project to construct up to 15 wind turbines on Backbone Mountain six miles south of Oakland. Fair Wind Power Partners LLC filed the application Aug. 19 and is exempted from the requirement to obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, according to PSC documents. The project will consist of up to 30 megawatts of wind turbine generation and plans to . . . Complete story »
Residents mobilize against Badger Coulee transmission project
TOWN OF HOLLAND – Steve Breidel had the foundation poured for his new three-bedroom ranch home when he got some troubling news: His lot is potentially in the path of a high-voltage power line. He doesn’t know yet if the 345-kilovolt line with its towers of up to 150 feet would go directly over the house, which he hopes to have finished by early December, or across the street. “It’s still too close,” he said while spreading topsoil Wednesday. “Then you’re . . . Complete story »
Unanimous rejection for Hemswell Cliff wind farm plans
Hundreds clapped and cheered as Lincolnshire councillors unanimously rejected a proposal to build a wind farm near Hemswell Cliff, north of Lincoln. More than 350 people attended the special planning meeting held by West Lindsey District Council at Lincolnshire Showground on Wednesday, October 30. Throughout the day, the council’s planning committee listened to arguments for and against the wind farm proposal and debated the plans. In the evening, the councillors made their final statement and unanimously voted against the wind . . . Complete story »
Wind power appeal casts shadow over disabled children’s chance to ride
A club devoted to helping disabled children get in the saddle fears it may have to close if permission is granted for a wind turbine near its Whittington stables. Lichfield Riding for the Disabled Association says its future is at risk due to a proposed 60m tall triple-bladed turbine at land south of Hademore House Bridge, Fisherwick Road. The renewable energy scheme has already been turned down by Lichfield District Council but applicants JF and BM Gray of Sheepwash Farm, . . . Complete story »
The lister changes the decibel level
The Vermont town lister has become the best friend of any opponent living near an industrial wind turbine farm. The premise of this new-found customer relationship will certainly set off fireworks in the pursuit of state renewable energy policy. Annoying sound does indeed diminish property values. The trend raises the stakes in the entrenched wind turbine conflict to a different decibel level. It can now be said true power lies not only the mountaintops but in the hand of listers . . . Complete story »
Power play: a plan to connect the electric grids of Oahu and Maui
In a major change that could effectively nix plans for the long-debated industrial-scale wind farm proposed for Lanai, state policymakers have in recent months shifted their interest toward connecting the Oahu and Maui electric grids. If the grid-link comes to fruition, it should allow more renewable energy to be brought online, help the state toward the goal of energy independence and potentially bring down electricity rates, say officials. Mark Glick, who heads the state energy office, told Civil Beat that . . . Complete story »
German media focus on turbine fires
Several onshore wind turbine fires in Germany in recent months have triggered media interest, with even financial newspaper Handelsblatt reporting a single turbine fire in Saxony Anhalt. The Saxony Anhalt incident happened at a three-turbine project near Klein Rodensleben on 27 October 2013 during stormy weather. The local fire-fighting association Feuerwehrverband Börde e.V. said the nacelle burnt out completely and a burning blade fell to the ground. Burning debris flew several hundred metres but no one was hurt and the . . . Complete story »
