When considering wind power, it is essential to consider all the potential conflicts and ramifications. There is no perfect solution for alternative energy that works across the board. By identifying problems, technology can develop solutions.
The concerns regarding wind power are well documented, from aesthetic issues to wildlife conflicts. Another question looms regarding human health effects. However, yet another problem has come to light in regard to weather forecasting.
Radar Conflicts
The optimal placement of wind farms might locate a site on a high elevation. This maximizes wind power for generating electricity. However, the movement of the blades of wind turbines creates interference that is detected by Doppler radar.
The images appear as if cloud cover or storms are in the vicinity. This phenomenon has been detected at several sites in proximity to wind farms, including Buffalo, New York.
Identifying the Problem
Doppler radar software can detect static images and filter them out of their results. Wind turbines pose a challenge because they are in motion. The solution is not an easy one to resolve.
Instead, the National Weather Service has begun an outreach program to education the industry and encourage locating wind farms out of the range of conflict. The NWS found that wind farms within 30 miles of a radar site produced the false data.
The misleading data caused by wind farms presents a potentially dangerous situation. Proper forecasting and broadcast of weather event information are imperative to minimize economic and human loss. With tornadoes, for example, minutes can mean the difference between minimal and devastating losses.
It behooves the wind power industry to stay current with all of these developing issues. While one may argue that aesthetic conflicts are not earth-shattering, the delay in broadcasting weather bulletins is critical and represents a real threat to public safety. Storm events caused over 60 percent of total natural disasters deaths in the United States between 1980 and 2010.
The hope is that the endeavor to control greenhouse gas emissions does not get replaced with a more immediate danger. The rise of conflicts shows that wind power is still in its infancy. Science has much to uncover to mitigate these effects.
