Difference between revisions of "Wind turbine"
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'''Wind turbine''' is the modern day [[windmill]] which is marketed as a clean energy solution | '''Wind turbine''' is the modern day [[windmill]] which is marketed as a clean energy solution | ||
to replace power from fossil fuel plants. The addition of multiple wind turbines in the same | to replace power from fossil fuel plants. The addition of multiple wind turbines in the same | ||
| − | geographical location is referred to as a wind farm. The sales pitch | + | geographical location is referred to as a wind farm. The sales pitch goes as follows, "wind turbines power |
| − | millions of homes with wonderful | + | millions of homes with wonderful 'free' energy". The truth is a much different story. '' "The |
wind power industry claims switching from conventional power to wind power will save consumers | wind power industry claims switching from conventional power to wind power will save consumers | ||
money and spur the economy. However, data from the top 10 wind power states show just the | money and spur the economy. However, data from the top 10 wind power states show just the | ||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
Wind energy from turbines are power generating losers when compared to other technologies such | Wind energy from turbines are power generating losers when compared to other technologies such | ||
| − | as [[coal]], hydro, gas and nuclear. One | + | as [[coal]], hydro, gas and nuclear. One major downside is that when there is no wind, no power is generated. |
| − | Sources say you need at least 10MPH wind speed to generate power and speeds in excess of 50MPH | + | Sources say you need at least a 10MPH wind speed to generate power, and speeds in excess of 50MPH |
will shut down turbines to prevent damage.<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/london/2015/01/02/as-britain-freezes-wind-farms-take-power-from-grid-to-prevent-icing/ AS BRITAIN FREEZES, WIND FARMS TAKE POWER FROM GRID TO PREVENT ICING, Breitbart.com. January 2, 2015]</ref> Industry promoters often paint a rosy picture of the benefits of wind power when other sources claim as little as 8% of usable generation. | will shut down turbines to prevent damage.<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/london/2015/01/02/as-britain-freezes-wind-farms-take-power-from-grid-to-prevent-icing/ AS BRITAIN FREEZES, WIND FARMS TAKE POWER FROM GRID TO PREVENT ICING, Breitbart.com. January 2, 2015]</ref> Industry promoters often paint a rosy picture of the benefits of wind power when other sources claim as little as 8% of usable generation. | ||
| − | + | It is not widely known that wind turbines actually use electricity from the grid (coal/gas/hydro/nuclear) to power their hydraulic systems that keep the blades facing in the same direction as the wind. In freezing weather conditions, electricity from the grid is used to keep the blades spinning at low speeds as a method of de-icing. | |
| − | The misconception is that you install a wind turbine and it will pay itself off within a decade. From that point out, it is a net energy gain at a fraction of a cost. Nothing can be further from the truth. Constant costs are involved to maintain these mechanical structures; Overheating bearings, plastic that melts, gallons of brake oil leaking, gallons of hydraulic fluid leaking,<ref>[http://stopthesethings.com/2015/02/01/2-year-old-siemens-turbines-falling-apart-wind-farm-investors-get-out-while-you-can/ 2 Year Old Siemens Turbines Falling Apart: Wind Farm Investors, Get Out While You Can, Stopthesethings.com, Febuary 1, 2015]</ref> blades that fall off, towers that collapse, replacement of yaw gear drives, bearings, gearboxes, and generators. The cost to put out wind turbine fires | + | The misconception is that you install a wind turbine and it will pay itself off within a decade. From that point out, it is a net energy gain at a fraction of a cost. Nothing can be further from the truth. Constant costs are involved to maintain these mechanical structures; Overheating bearings, plastic that melts, gallons of brake oil leaking, gallons of hydraulic fluid leaking,<ref>[http://stopthesethings.com/2015/02/01/2-year-old-siemens-turbines-falling-apart-wind-farm-investors-get-out-while-you-can/ 2 Year Old Siemens Turbines Falling Apart: Wind Farm Investors, Get Out While You Can, Stopthesethings.com, Febuary 1, 2015]</ref> blades that fall off, towers that collapse, replacement of yaw gear drives, bearings, gearboxes, brushes, and generators. The cost to put out wind turbine fires is also substantial. Some can self-extinguish small fires, but others need fire departments to extinguish turbines and put out the brush fires sometimes caused below. |
The cost to manufacture wind turbines prevents any offset gained transitioning to a 'clean' energy environment.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books/about/Carbon_Shift.html?id=7LO0H0aNNzYC&source=kp_cover&hl=en Carbon Shift: How Peak Oil and the Climate Crisis Will Change Canada (and Our Lives), Author Thomas Homer-Dixon, 2010]</ref> | The cost to manufacture wind turbines prevents any offset gained transitioning to a 'clean' energy environment.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books/about/Carbon_Shift.html?id=7LO0H0aNNzYC&source=kp_cover&hl=en Carbon Shift: How Peak Oil and the Climate Crisis Will Change Canada (and Our Lives), Author Thomas Homer-Dixon, 2010]</ref> | ||
{{cquote| A two-megawatt windmill contains 260 tonnes of steel requiring 170 tonnes of coking coal and 300 tonnes of iron ore, all mined, transported and produced by hydrocarbons.}} | {{cquote| A two-megawatt windmill contains 260 tonnes of steel requiring 170 tonnes of coking coal and 300 tonnes of iron ore, all mined, transported and produced by hydrocarbons.}} | ||
| − | Landscape, seascape wildlife costs are a major downside to power from wind. Eagles, bats, birds of all kinds are killed in the thousands by wind blades | + | Landscape, seascape, and wildlife costs are a major downside to power from wind. Eagles, bats, and birds of all kinds are killed in the thousands by wind blades. Estimates place the number of birds killed by wind turbines at 30 million per year.<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/08/17/why-stefan-the-stork-died-in-vain-wind-turbines/ RIP STEFAN THE STORK – ONE OF 30 MILLION BIRDS KILLED BY WIND FARMS EVERY YEAR, Breitbart, August 17, 2015]</ref> |
In Ontario [[Canada]], every turbine destroys 3 acres of land, roughly 21,000 acres of farmland.<ref>[http://www.windontario.ca/, Wind Ontario]</ref> | In Ontario [[Canada]], every turbine destroys 3 acres of land, roughly 21,000 acres of farmland.<ref>[http://www.windontario.ca/, Wind Ontario]</ref> | ||
| Line 30: | Line 30: | ||
== Wind Turbine Syndrome == | == Wind Turbine Syndrome == | ||
| − | Many people living within 2 km (1.25 miles) of these spinning giants get sick says a peer-reviewed study by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.<ref>[http://www.windturbinesyndrome.com/wind-turbine-syndrome/ Wind Turbine Syndrome]</ref> Low frequency noise and infrasound appear to be the chief disease-causing culprit according to Dr. Nina Pierpont. In [[Wisconsin]], a study showed noise emanating from the turbines was detectable inside homes within a 6.2-mile radius of the industrial wind plant and declared wind turbines a [[health]] hazard.<ref>[http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/20690 Wisconsin Wind Turbines Declared Health Hazard, Michigan Capitol Confidential, November 8, 2014]</ref> | + | Many people living within 2 km (1.25 miles) of these spinning giants get sick says a peer-reviewed study by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.<ref>[http://www.windturbinesyndrome.com/wind-turbine-syndrome/ Wind Turbine Syndrome]</ref> Low frequency noise and infrasound appear to be the chief disease-causing culprit according to Dr. Nina Pierpont. In [[Wisconsin]], a study showed noise emanating from the turbines was detectable inside homes within a 6.2-mile radius of the industrial wind plant and declared wind turbines a [[health]] hazard.<ref>[http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/20690 Wisconsin Wind Turbines Declared Health Hazard, Michigan Capitol Confidential, November 8, 2014]</ref><ref>http://www.windturbinesyndrome.com/2012/wind-turbine-syndrome-a-twenty-minute-crash-course/?var=wts</ref> |
== Government Subsidies and Crony Capitalists == | == Government Subsidies and Crony Capitalists == | ||
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*[[Alternative energy]] | *[[Alternative energy]] | ||
*[[Global warming]] | *[[Global warming]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | == References == | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
| − | |||
*[http://dailycaller.com/2016/04/01/busted-wind-turbine-cost-new-jersey-498000-video/ Busted Wind Turbine Cost New Jersey $498,000] | *[http://dailycaller.com/2016/04/01/busted-wind-turbine-cost-new-jersey-498000-video/ Busted Wind Turbine Cost New Jersey $498,000] | ||
*[http://www.triplepundit.com/2015/10/walmart-leaps-towards-100-renewable-energy-wind-deal/ Walmart wind deal] | *[http://www.triplepundit.com/2015/10/walmart-leaps-towards-100-renewable-energy-wind-deal/ Walmart wind deal] | ||
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*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NAAzBArYdw Video of wind turbine killing a large bird] | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NAAzBArYdw Video of wind turbine killing a large bird] | ||
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkGXoE3RFZ8 Video of wind turbine on fire] | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkGXoE3RFZ8 Video of wind turbine on fire] | ||
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| − | |||
| − | |||
[[Category:Energy]] | [[Category:Energy]] | ||
Revision as of 22:09, July 23, 2017
Wind turbine is the modern day windmill which is marketed as a clean energy solution
to replace power from fossil fuel plants. The addition of multiple wind turbines in the same
geographical location is referred to as a wind farm. The sales pitch goes as follows, "wind turbines power
millions of homes with wonderful 'free' energy". The truth is a much different story. "The
wind power industry claims switching from conventional power to wind power will save consumers
money and spur the economy. However, data from the top 10 wind power states show just the
opposite." [1]
Cost breakdown
Wind energy from turbines are power generating losers when compared to other technologies such as coal, hydro, gas and nuclear. One major downside is that when there is no wind, no power is generated. Sources say you need at least a 10MPH wind speed to generate power, and speeds in excess of 50MPH will shut down turbines to prevent damage.[2] Industry promoters often paint a rosy picture of the benefits of wind power when other sources claim as little as 8% of usable generation.
It is not widely known that wind turbines actually use electricity from the grid (coal/gas/hydro/nuclear) to power their hydraulic systems that keep the blades facing in the same direction as the wind. In freezing weather conditions, electricity from the grid is used to keep the blades spinning at low speeds as a method of de-icing.
The misconception is that you install a wind turbine and it will pay itself off within a decade. From that point out, it is a net energy gain at a fraction of a cost. Nothing can be further from the truth. Constant costs are involved to maintain these mechanical structures; Overheating bearings, plastic that melts, gallons of brake oil leaking, gallons of hydraulic fluid leaking,[3] blades that fall off, towers that collapse, replacement of yaw gear drives, bearings, gearboxes, brushes, and generators. The cost to put out wind turbine fires is also substantial. Some can self-extinguish small fires, but others need fire departments to extinguish turbines and put out the brush fires sometimes caused below.
The cost to manufacture wind turbines prevents any offset gained transitioning to a 'clean' energy environment.[4]
| “ | A two-megawatt windmill contains 260 tonnes of steel requiring 170 tonnes of coking coal and 300 tonnes of iron ore, all mined, transported and produced by hydrocarbons. | ” |
Landscape, seascape, and wildlife costs are a major downside to power from wind. Eagles, bats, and birds of all kinds are killed in the thousands by wind blades. Estimates place the number of birds killed by wind turbines at 30 million per year.[5]
In Ontario Canada, every turbine destroys 3 acres of land, roughly 21,000 acres of farmland.[6]
Wind Turbine Syndrome
Many people living within 2 km (1.25 miles) of these spinning giants get sick says a peer-reviewed study by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.[7] Low frequency noise and infrasound appear to be the chief disease-causing culprit according to Dr. Nina Pierpont. In Wisconsin, a study showed noise emanating from the turbines was detectable inside homes within a 6.2-mile radius of the industrial wind plant and declared wind turbines a health hazard.[8][9]
Government Subsidies and Crony Capitalists
Billions of taxpayer dollars are being shoveled into this inefficient scheme in order to promote Global Warming agendas at the expense of real power sources and the tens of thousands of jobs they replace. Government subsidies keep the growth of wind turbine construction alive and keep this technology running after installed. Without government financial involvement, wind turbines become to costly to operate, go idle and start rusting the landscape. Without government funding, investors sell their investments and shelve plans to expand.[10] The UK's Labour party insists that wind turbines can't make a profit without subsidies.[11] Tax credits are given to companies that manufacture, to companies that install/maintain, to municipalities that own the property. The IRS is giving away $13 Billion per year in wind energy subsidies.[12]
The world's biggest billion dollar corporations, such as General Electric and Siemens, are reaping the investments made in subsidized wind turbine construction. The U.S. government has laid the groundwork for an endless welfare system devoted to big wind companies.[13]
See also
References
- ↑ Electricity Prices Soaring In Top Wind Power States, Forbes, October 17, 2014
- ↑ AS BRITAIN FREEZES, WIND FARMS TAKE POWER FROM GRID TO PREVENT ICING, Breitbart.com. January 2, 2015
- ↑ 2 Year Old Siemens Turbines Falling Apart: Wind Farm Investors, Get Out While You Can, Stopthesethings.com, Febuary 1, 2015
- ↑ Carbon Shift: How Peak Oil and the Climate Crisis Will Change Canada (and Our Lives), Author Thomas Homer-Dixon, 2010
- ↑ RIP STEFAN THE STORK – ONE OF 30 MILLION BIRDS KILLED BY WIND FARMS EVERY YEAR, Breitbart, August 17, 2015
- ↑ Wind Ontario
- ↑ Wind Turbine Syndrome
- ↑ Wisconsin Wind Turbines Declared Health Hazard, Michigan Capitol Confidential, November 8, 2014
- ↑ http://www.windturbinesyndrome.com/2012/wind-turbine-syndrome-a-twenty-minute-crash-course/?var=wts
- ↑ Wind Energy's Ghosts, American Thinker, February 15, 2010
- ↑ Tories to end onshore windfarm subsidies in 2016, The Guardian,June 18, 2015
- ↑ The IRS Is Giving Away $13 Billion A Year In Wind Energy Subsidies, Without Congressional Authorization, Forbes
- ↑ What do we have to show for government subsidies of wind power?, TheHill, February 24,2015
External links
- Busted Wind Turbine Cost New Jersey $498,000
- Walmart wind deal
- Grassley Named a Friend of Iowa Wind Energy
- Conservative billionaire’s effort to build a massive wind farm
- Iowa Wind Power
- A panoramic view of Gunfleet wind farm with a storm rolling in
- Video of Hampole wind farm construction
- Video of wind turbine disintegrating
- Video of wind turbine killing a large bird
- Video of wind turbine on fire