Environmental Impacts Of Wind Power

Whenever protest starts against non-renewable sources, we give renewable sources as the solution. But are renewable sources free of environmental impact? Harnessing power from the wind is said to be cleanest and most sustainable way to generate electricity. Wind is also abundant, inexhaustible and affordable which makes it an alternative to fossil fuels.

Despite its vast potential, there are variety of environmental impacts associated with it. Regarding land use, wind turbines placed in flat areas use more land than those in hilly areas. But stakeholders say that they are spaced apart and doesn't occupy all the land. The remaining land could be used for agriculture, livestock grazing etc. But offshore wind facilities require more space than their land counterparts. This offshore installations affect other ocean activities like fishing.

There is a huge impact of wind turbines on wildlife, mostly birds and bats. Researchers found the evidence of bird and bat deaths from collisions with wind turbines and due to changes in air pressure. They found that bats are more active when wind speeds are low. Keeping wind turbines motionless during times of low wind speeds could reduce bat deaths by more than half. This comes without affecting power production. Also bird deaths associated with offshore wind turbines are minimal.

Main public concerns associated with operating wind turbines are sound and visual impact. People living close to wind facilities have complained about these issues. Minimising blade surface imperfections and using sound absorbent materials can reduce turbine noise to an extent.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that large wind turbines, like over 200 feet high, should have white or red lights for safety. To some people, these are graceful sculptures, but to some, they are eyesores. Open public meetings should be conducted to solve their problems. Also, no power source is free from environmental impact. We could only reduce their impacts.