Environmental Design + Construction - November 2008 - (Page 86)

STUDIO By Derrick Teal, managing editor, ED+C Creating a Rustle WHY SOME PEOPLE JUST DON’T LIKE WIND. Of the clean, renewable sources of energy, wind power is arguably the most maligned. Issues brought up by its critics range from its inconsistency in its output to aesthetics. Promoters of wind power are quick to counter that the costs for generating wind power are incredibly cheap and the technology to produce electricity via wind is only getting better. With people like Al Gore and T. Boone Pickens seeking to boost the amount of power generated by sources like wind, we need to take a look at the pros and cons. Unlike local utilities, many wind farms are privately owned. The electricity produced at these wind farms is then sold to the local utilities, which then pass it along for use by the consumer. The turbines used to generate the electricity at these farms come from a number of different manufacturers, including: GE Energy Siemens Mitsubishi Vestas Gamesa Southwest Windpower Clipper Windpower Enercon Suzlon Acciona Goldwind Nordex Sinovel What’s Wrong with Wind Farms? At the center of the issue are wind farms — tracts of land set aside for the wind towers that generate electricity for the power grid. These towers, manufactured by such companies as GE, Vestas, Gamesa and others, can reach a combined total height (tower and blades) of more than 300 feet. Factor in the fact that some space is needed in between the rotating blades, and you end up with a lot of space being used. Tack on the need for roadways to be constructed in order to provide ease of access to the towers when they need servicing, and it adds up to what critics would call a sizeable environmental disturbance. The argument continues to state that wildlife, particularly birds and bats, is significantly affected by wind farms. However, no conclusive research has been offered to give credence to this argument. Noise is also cited as a factor. Statistically, the sound generated from a wind turbine, measured in decibels (dB), is 35 to 45 dB. To put AARDEX CORPORATE OFFICES INCORPORATE SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIALS, INCLUDING CARPET TILES MADE OF RECYCLED CONTENT AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY OFFICE FURNITURE. PHOTO BY JEFF SCROGGINS. On the smaller scale, manufacturers include: Abundant Renewable Energy AeroVironment Bergey Windpower Co. Energy Maintenance Service Entegrity Wind Systems Gaia-Wind Ltd. Northern Power Proven Energy, Ltd. Southwest Windpower Co. Swift (by Cascade Engineering) Wind Energy Solutions Canada Wind Turbine Industries Corp. it in perspective, the amount of background noise in a rural setting is between 20 to 40 dB depending on the area. It doesn’t sound like much of a difference, but keep in mind that the dB ratings for wind turbines takes distance into account. Therefore, the noise listed above for wind turbines is likely to be the noise when heard at a distance of something like 1,300 feet. At 20 feet, the levels can reach as much as 106 dB. All of these factors lead critics to ask if wind farms are worth it. The fickle nature of wind makes it somewhat difficult for it to generate a consistent stream of electricity. Plus, when people use electricity the most, during the day, wind is at its weakest. Nighttime is the best time for stronger winds, but the technology available to store that energy and use it later is still undergoing research to make it more efficient. As of now, it is pos- sible to store the energy generated, but major advances are needed to make it a more viable option to store electricity generated off-peak. The critics would argue, then, that isn’t wind power a whole lot of cost and headache for something that’s, at best, a supplemental form of energy rather than something we can hang our hats on? Facing the Charges Despite these arguments, a research study conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory reports that U.S. windpower capacity increased by 46 percent in 2007. According to the study, the increase represents a $9 billion investment in new wind projects, putting wind on track to becoming a significant power contributor. As of now, though, wind is still on the low end of the scale, behind coal, nuclear and 86 ed+c N OV E MBE R 08

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Environmental Design + Construction - November 2008

Environmental Design %2B Construction - November 2008 Contents Web TOC Editor's Note Newsline New %2B Notable Green by Nature Award Winner: Juvenile Justice Award Winner: Desert Living FSC Special Section Designing a Greener Building with BIM The Case for Modular Creating a Rustle Lessons Learned The Move Toward Sustainability Lead by Example A%2B Rating Nurture by Nature Commitment to Sustainability Eyeing the Future Work of Art Green has Gone to the Dogs Sensible Upgrade Moisture Issues in Courthouses Green Build - Green Product Buzz Guide Benefi ts of BIM Product Focus Marketplace %2B Classifieds Advertiser's Index Parting Shot

Environmental Design + Construction - November 2008

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