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2010-07-26 Science & Technology

The Race to Build Gigantic Wind Turbines

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Posted by Bobby 2010-07-26 14:32|| || Front Page|| [3 views ] Top

#1 A couple of years ago, I read that the wind turbines in the west were causing massive raptor (eagle/hawk) kills. What would such turbines do to the sea birds (frigites, etc.) that follow the wind patterns?

Posted by Slindsey 2010-07-26 15:43|| 2010-07-26 15:43|| Front Page Top

#2 it is not just aesthetics,

typically the latest generation of land based turbines is 150 to 300 feet high (as opposed to these 600' giants)

one of the limiting factors on land is the problem of transporting the towers and blades to the site -- this is expensive and disruptive.

another issue is that the wind is less variable over water and at higher elevations (friction and turbulence).

of course everyone is hoping we can achieve inexpensive and robust energy storage devices that reduce the need for back up generation because without such devices the wind power is basically an unreliable source

Posted by lord garth 2010-07-26 15:50|| 2010-07-26 15:50|| Front Page Top

#3 "John Sauven, director of Greenpeace UK, said: 'It is critical that the UK government does not hinder the development of offshore wind power by cutting budgets for short-term gain.'"

If it's so important, pony us your own money, Johnny-boy. Green-Peas has a snootful of it, no? If you're a little short, suspend the whale pirate operation for a couple of days.

Or you could just go ahead and admit it's about the power, not the planet. >:-(

Posted by Barbara Skolaut 2010-07-26 15:54|| 2010-07-26 15:54|| Front Page Top

#4 Hold it! Boeing did some 10MW giants as an experiment under Carter.
They were one blade units with a counterweight.

Posted by 3dc 2010-07-26 20:20|| 2010-07-26 20:20|| Front Page Top

#5 1 blade gave the best Raleigh Number.

Posted by 3dc 2010-07-26 20:21|| 2010-07-26 20:21|| Front Page Top

#6 Four times the power for eight times the cost. Yes, let's have more of that.

The other advantage of offshore siting is there won't be any photos of the catastrophic failures.

Posted by KBK 2010-07-26 21:00|| 2010-07-26 21:00|| Front Page Top

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