Author: Sarah Durrant

climate change, Uncategorized, Wind Energy, Wind Energy Mythbusting, wind farms, Wind turbines and extreme weatherLeave a comment

Misplaced concern on wind energy and climate

Sarah Durrant

There have been some extravagant claims that wind farms may dramatically change our weather patterns and add to the challenges of climate change, but researchers in France have found that any changes would be so subtle that they’ll be less than the normal variabilities in weather that we experience from year to year.

Published by ABC Science. View original article here

Concerns that giant wind farms aimed at easing climate change in fact aggravate the problem are misplaced, according to a scientific study.

In the worse case, wind farm impacts will be far below normal variability in weather (Flickr: Charles Cook)
In the worse case, wind farm impacts will be far below normal variability in weather (Flickr: Charles Cook)

In the past four years, several investigations have suggested that — on a local scale — a wind farm can slightly raise temperatures and boost rainfall through the way its wake mixes layers of warm and cold air.

This has prompted concerns that vast wind farms could modify the weather even in places far away. Continue reading “Misplaced concern on wind energy and climate”

Anti-wind farm campaigning, turbine set back distance, Uncategorized, Wind Energy, Wind Energy Mythbusting, wind farms & noiseLeave a comment

Sounds like a Wind Farm Ban

Sarah Durrant

Ever wondered how much sound a wind turbine really makes? If you’ve not yet had an opportunity to experience it for yourself, Simon Mahan  makes some relative comparisons with the everyday sounds in our lives, and notes that sensible regulations afford a level of protection for nearby residents while allowing responsible wind energy development.

Published by cleanenergy.org  View original article

General Electric - How loud is a wind turbine?
General Electric – How loud is a wind turbine?

Recent polling shows that over 70% of Americans support wind energy; yet the small number of wind energy opponents can be loud. Very loud, in fact. One way those anti-wind activists attack this American industry is by overstating how much sound wind turbines make. Continue reading “Sounds like a Wind Farm Ban”

#SpringSt, climate change, coal vs renewables, community support for windfarms, Liberal Party, Napthine Government, Planning approval process, renewable energy, turbine set back distance, Uncategorized, victoria, Victorian CoalitionLeave a comment
Hepburn Community Wind Farm, Victoria

Is the Victorian government feeling the heat yet?

Sarah Durrant

Support for renewable energy across Victoria isn’t something that’s restricted to any one sector of our diverse community, it’s embraced by people of all ages and from all walks of life. It’s not an alternative or minority viewpoint, it’s mainstream, … Continue reading Is the Victorian government feeling the heat yet?

coal vs renewables, gas vs renewables, nuclear, renewable energy, Renewable technologies, Solar Energy, Solar PV, Uncategorized, Wind Energy Mythbusting, wind farms1 Comment

Dispelling myth of energy payback of renewable energy systems

Sarah Durrant

It’s sometimes suggested that the life-cycle energy inputs of  renewable technologies can well exceed their outputs – an argument that some attempt to use against wind turbines, as well as solar PV modules. In this article by Mark Diesendorf  we find a clear explanation of just what ‘life-cycle energy inputs’ are, how they may be calculated, and how energy payback periods of various technologies compare. The figures may surprise you, and yet another myth bites the dust!

Published by Renew Economy. View original article 

One of the many myths propagating about renewable energy (RE) systems, especially solar photovoltaic electricity, is that the life-cycle energy inputs are greater than or comparable with the lifetime energy outputs. Is it generally true and, if not, under what special circumstances would it be reasonable?

Life-cycle energy inputs for solar PV modules are now greatly reduced
Life-cycle energy inputs for solar PV modules are now greatly reduced

Continue reading “Dispelling myth of energy payback of renewable energy systems”

Anti-wind farm campaigning, Cherry Tree Range wind farm, community support for windfarms, Infigen Energy, Mitchell Shire, Planning approval process, Uncategorized, VCAT, victoriaLeave a comment

Cherry Tree wind farm – opportunities that will define

Sarah Durrant

When VCAT handed down its finding for Infigen’s  Cherry Tree Range wind farm at the end of November some Mitchell Shire residents were quick to air their views on the outcome. Last week (on 4th December 2013) the Seymour Telegraph published a two page article about the case, incorporating views from across the spectrum of opinion, including two letters to the editor.

Image: Cherry Tree Range; source: Seymour Telegraph
Image: Cherry Tree Range; source: Seymour Telegraph

Continue reading “Cherry Tree wind farm – opportunities that will define”

Anti-wind farm campaigning, health impacts, Infrasound, South Australia, Uncategorized, wind farms, wind farms & health, wind farms & noise1 Comment

Collision of science and sentiment – Waterloo wind farm cleared by EPA

Sarah Durrant

Published by Renew Economy. View original article.

By 

The most interesting places on Earth are the subduction zones where tectonic plates of science and emotion scrape relentlessly. Buried in these dynamic boundaries we find the most telling insights into human nature. Wind energy spans the continents of science and sentiment, and discourse is dominated by this violent collision of empirical reality and unbridled passion.

Though living full time in this fissure might seem unenviable, I guarantee it is stirring. Yesterday, the plates grated once more, as the South Australian Environmental Protection Agency (SA EPA) released the long-anticipated results of their study into low-frequency noise levels at Waterloo Wind Farm.

Waterloo1
Waterloo wind farm. Source: ABC News.

First, some history. In May 2012, Graham Lloyd of The Australian mused in an article whether the Waterloo Wind Farm could be the culprit behind the mutations of chicken embryos, spikes in “sheep deformities” and “reports of erratic behaviour by farm dogs” – a joyful foray into absurdity that served as a textbook example of implication by proximity. Continue reading “Collision of science and sentiment – Waterloo wind farm cleared by EPA”