Wind Power News: China
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch 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 farms lead to ‘significant’ decrease in soil moisture, study finds
A new study has found that wind farms can have a “significant” impact on soil moisture, and aggravate the soil drying in grassland areas, with impacts on ecosystems. The research, published in peer-reviewed journal, Science of the Total Environment, found that “wind farms significantly reduced soil moisture within the wind farms and in the upwind and downwind directions.” The study focused on wind farms located in the grasslands of China, and researchers “analyzed changes in soil moisture in different wind . . . Complete story »
Taiwan monitors impact of Chinese wind turbine project
Taiwan People’s Party Legislator Tsai Pi-ru (蔡壁如) has expressed concern the Chinese offshore wind turbines under construction 7 nautical miles (13 kilometers) south of the Matsu Islands will affect the wellbeing of Matsu residents and the local marine environment. Tsai submitted an inquiry to the Cabinet, stating that China’s Funeng Strait Company will operate 30 Dongfang Electric Wind Power 10-megawatt wind turbines at the Changle offshore wind farm, Liberty Times reported. The site, she noted, is close to Matsu’s waters, . . . Complete story »
China to stop subsidies for new solar power stations, onshore wind projects in 2021
China will no longer grant subsidies for new solar power stations, distributed solar projects by commercial users or onshore wind projects from the central government budget in 2021, the state planner said in a statement on Friday. Electricity generated from the new projects will be sold at local benchmark coal-fired power prices or at market prices, the statement said. The new rule will take effective from Aug. 1. Complete story »
Apple’s Uyghur dilemma grows
Apple is investing in wind farms in China as it develops a carbon neutral supply chain. But the company’s wind partner in China has links to the repression of minority Uyghurs in Xinjiang. Apple faces mounting scrutiny of its China-based supply chain after an investigation by The Information, in partnership with the Tech Transparency Project (TTP), found that seven Apple suppliers had ties to suspected forced labor of Uyghurs from the Xinjiang region. Now, new research by TTP is highlighting . . . Complete story »
Seltene Erden als Druckmittel: Deutsche Industrie fürchtet neue Bestimmungen aus China
[German industry fears new regulations on rare earth elements from China.] Seltene Erden sind wichtig für alle Zukunftstechnologieprodukte. China will diesen Industriezweig nun neu regulieren. In der deutschen Industrie ist die Sorge darüber groß. Berlin In der deutschen Industrie wächst die Sorge, ob die Versorgung der Hersteller moderner Hochtechnologie-Produkte mit dem wichtigen Grundstoff Seltene Erden künftig noch sicher ist. „Die Unsicherheit herrscht darüber, ob China Seltene Erden als Druckmittel gegenüber Unternehmen auch aus Europa einsetzen will“, sagte Matthias Wachter, Rohstoffexperte . . . Complete story »
Kann das wirklich sein: Windräder als Klimakiller?
Vogel-, Fledermaus -und Insektenschlag, Schattenwurf und Infraschall sind bislang die bekanntesten Argumente gegen Windkraftanlagen. Und jetzt auch das noch: Forscher in den Niederlanden, den USA, in Kanada und China haben, war in einer überregionalen Zeitung zu lesen, ermittelt: Große Windturbinen sind mitverantwortlich für Dürre und Erderwärmung… Unter ihnen die profilierte US-amerikanische Geo-Ingenieurin Christine L. Archer und der kanadische Wissenschaftler David W. Keith. Sie und andere Wissenschaftler hätten den Dürre-Effekt durch Verwirbelung hinter den Windrädern nachgewiesen, was als Nachlauf oder wie . . . Complete story »
China to tackle wasted energy in new wind farm rules
China’s energy regulator has ordered local authorities to take heed of the grid capacity when selecting new wind power projects, in an attempt to ensure that no more than 5 percent of the electricity they generate is wasted, it said in a notice. China’s renewable energy law compels grid firms to absorb the power generated by clean sources such as wind and solar. However, many projects have been left with inadequate grid access, a problem commonly known as “curtailment”. Regulators . . . Complete story »
Environmental bonds stained by ‘green washing’
TOKYO – The popularity of environmental, social and governance investing has risen sharply in recent years, but many so-called green bonds have drawn accusations of “green washing” for having little, if any, environmental benefit. Green bonds raise funds that are used to subsidize projects with an environmental benefit. The size of issuance has risen in tandem with their popularity. Critics, however, have pointed to varying standards and projects of questionable merit, some of which are seen as little more than exercises . . . Complete story »
Green group blows cold on Guangdong offshore wind farms
Guangdong’s plan for a major increase in green power capacity from offshore wind farms has environmental activists worried over potential harm to the southern province’s marine ecosystems. The Guangdong Development and Reform Commission recently called for work to have started or been completed on at least 12 gigawatts of offshore wind power capacity by late 2020 – six times a goal it previously set last year. But Guangdong’s aggressive push toward cleaner, more renewable wind power could come at the expense . . . Complete story »
Poison wind
Poison wind power – the shocking environmental damage they don’t want you to see. Clarification: This story contains details of toxic pollution associated with the use of rare earths in the production of wind turbines, cars and household electronic items. We wish to clarify that the wind industry estimates one in five turbines in South Australia use rare earths. South Australia has approximately 40 wind farms operating or seeking approval, with almost 700 individual turbines. Using the industry’s figures, South . . . Complete story »
