Author
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Topic: Do Birds Fly Into Wind Farms?
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Willowdale Wizard
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3674
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posted 26 November 2004 05:44 AM
reuters/planet ark quote: Two major offshore wind farms in Denmark are giving the lie to fears that birds are being killed by flying into the huge vanes of such installations, a conference heard on Thursday. In fact, not only were birds not dying, the Danish farms had actually benefitted the local environment, ecologist Charlotte Boesen of Denmark's Energi E2 energy trading and generation firm told the conference on wind energy. Birds were simply flying over or around the huge packs of turbines, and the seabed foundations had created an artificial reef that was attracting new species to colonise and providing a haven for fish as trawling there was banned. "So far the observed effects have been positive," she said.
From: england (hometown of toronto) | Registered: Jan 2003
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Panama Jack
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 6478
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posted 26 November 2004 02:15 PM
quote: Originally posted by saskganesh: high cost of initial outlay seem to be a barrier to rapid expansion of wind power.these guy's turbines seem to be more affordable: enerwest
These variety of smaller turbines are actually much more deadly for birds, as the RPM's with the propellers are MUCH higher, making it difficult for birdies to see the blades. However, they're much more practical for personal on-site and off the grid energy systems. This compares with the huge modern turbines (up to 3 MW now) which at a full wind only spin at ~15 RPM!!! [It's amazing to think though that at this speed the tip of the blade is approaching the speed of sound, aint' physics neat?] It should also be pointed out that birds fly into countless man made structures: powerlines, masts, poles, windows, cars. etc. The old lattice (and ugly ass) towers used for wind power in 1970s WERE and ARE much more deadly for birds, as they're apt to perch on the rungs of the lattice.
From: Vancouver | Registered: Jul 2004
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Panama Jack
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 6478
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posted 26 November 2004 05:53 PM
OK, good to know.... I was assuming a gigantic 3 MW turbine .... although even that would fall short using your numbers... maybe the RPMs were higher too.... I did get the unqualified blurb about reaching the speed-of-sound from a NEC-Micon representative , maybe he was refering the stat to a future gigantic turbine.... would 5 MW do it? Still: the physics are still neat when you get aerodynamic blades this long! [ 26 November 2004: Message edited by: Panama Jack ]
From: Vancouver | Registered: Jul 2004
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