Wind turbine noise

Wind turbine noise. Fast forward to 0:55 to skip my intro. Excuse the wind interference with the mic, although the fact that you can't hear the turbine over the wind or me talking says something about the level of noise of the machine. Also, there were no dead birds or bats beneath the turbines.

Drumderg Wind Farm, Perthshire, Scotland. Siemens 2.3MW turbine installed in 2008. There are 16 turbines in all giving an installed capacity of 36.8MW. Developer - Scottish and Southern Energy

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[cammyammy]

@MMGWsceptic. They are very safe and reliable, only ever shut down for maintenance which is vital anyway. And how often is there a windless day in Scotland? As for appearance, I live where I can see them and I really dont mind them, neither do anyone else I know, its certainly a million times nicer than nuclear, coal or gas plant. And as for noise, you can only hear them when you are very close. And also the land can still be used for grazing, so all in all minimal impact on everything.

[JesusIsComing]

@MMGWsceptic Don't be ridiculous who told you they were uncontrollable? I was at this windfarm on wednesday the blades can pitch so they can be controlled to a set speed, and I believe this farm is operating at around 98% uptime, unreliable my ass.

[genie81au]

saamymmy. Do you lice near wind turbines? They are costly and inefficient and add to CO2 emissions with their construction. They are held up by 300 tonnes or more of concrete (the world's worst pollutant) and do create health problems although like an epidemic not everyone gets sick. Their're Not green try seeing that film also europes ill wind.

[OryNider]

They are made from new earth from China like the new EU motors ?

That whould explain why is the noise...

[mrhippo79]

@MMGWsceptic

Any negative impact on this landscape is going to be small compared to typical upland land uses such as grazing, heather burning or commercial forestry. The turbines are well screened from view (as well as anything this big can be) in this location and the power goes onto the local distribution network on an existing wooden pole line, no new pylons.

[MMGWsceptic]

Firstly - the local noise generated by the wind on your mic is masking the turbine noise. I've stood next to 'em and they make an annoying beating sound. How annoying will depend on how close your house is and which way the wind is blowing.

Secondly, they look bloody ugly; totally ruining the appearance of a wild moor. Not to mention all the extra ugly pylons needed to transport the electricity to where it's needed.

Thirdly - they are uncontrollable, unreliable, need backup = v. expensive

[WockneysRedBarrel]

@ccrider83 In terms of impacts on wildlife I noticed you didn't mention any sources of reputable evidence to back up your opinions. I haven't read enough to express a valid opinion on wind power's impacts on bats either way. From what I have read some are killed. Again though is this more than fossil fuels, nuclear etc? (got to have context). If you know of any RELIABLE informaiton sources. in terms of your thoughts on wind's impacts on birds please see my replies below.

[WockneysRedBarrel]

@ccrider83 7 - Climate change is considered the single greatest long-term threat to birds and other wildlife, with mid-range climate warming scenarios predicting that 15% to 37% of species world-wide will be ‘committed to extinction’ by 2050.

Source: Thomas et al 2004, Nature, 427, pages 145 – 148.

[WockneysRedBarrel]

@ccrider83 5 - UK Farmland bird populations declined by around 50% between the mid-1970s and the mid-1990s. Research, much of it Government funded, has identified that agricultural intensification led to these declines. DEFRA (UK Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs).

[WockneysRedBarrel]

@ccrider83 2 - The number of birds killed each year by flying into glass buildings and windows "is in the hundreds of millions for the U.S alone".

Source: Veltri & Klem, 2005 J. Field Ornithology Volume 76.

3 - In the UK an estimated 27,000,000 birds are estimated to be killed a year by pet cats, along with another 55,000,000 mammals.

Source: Woods et al, 2003 Mammal Review Volume. 33.