Wind power 277289 225489135 2008-07-13T23:31:24Z Jagged 85 468111 /* History */ added verticle-axles windmills {{pp-semi-vandalism|small=yes}} {{Mergefrom|Wind power industry|date=June 2008}} [[Image:Windenergy.jpg|thumb|350px|This 3 bladed [[wind turbine]] is the most common modern design because it minimizes forces related to fatigue.]] '''Wind power''' is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form, such as electricity, using [[wind turbine]]s. At the end of 2007, worldwide capacity of wind-powered generators was 94.1 [[gigawatt]]s.<ref name="gwec"> [http://www.gwec.net/index.php?id=28 Global Wind Energy Council News].</ref> Although wind currently produces about 1% of world-wide electricity use,<ref> http://www.wwindea.org/home/images/stories/pr_statistics2007_210208_red.pdf World Wind Energy Association press release retrieved 2008 03 18 </ref> it accounts for approximately 19% of electricity production in [[Wind power in Denmark|Denmark]], 9% in [[Wind power in Spain|Spain]] and [[Wind power in Portugal|Portugal]], and 6% in [[Wind power in Germany|Germany]] and the [[Wind power in Ireland|Republic of Ireland]] (2007 data). Globally, wind power generation increased more than fivefold between 2000 and 2007.<ref name="gwec"> [http://www.gwec.net/index.php?id=28 Global Wind Energy Council News].</ref> Most wind power is generated in the form of electricity. Large scale [[wind farms]] are connected to electrical grids. Individual turbines can provide electricity to isolated locations. In [[windmill]]s, wind energy is used directly as mechanical energy for pumping water or grinding grain. Wind energy is plentiful, [[renewable energy|renewable]], widely distributed, clean, and reduces [[greenhouse gas emissions]] when it displaces fossil-fuel-derived electricity. The [[Intermittent power sources|intermittency]] of wind seldom creates problems when using wind power to supply a low proportion of total demand, but it presents extra costs when wind is to be used for a large fraction of demand. However these costs even for quite large percentage penetrations are considered to be modest.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.ieawind.org/AnnexXXV/Meetings/Oklahoma/IEA%20SysOp%20GWPC2006%20paper_final.pdf | title= "Design and Operation of Power Systems with Large Amounts of Wind Power", IEA Wind Summary Paper | author= Hannele Holttinen, ''et al.'' | date= September 2006 |format= [[PDF]] |work= |publisher= Global Wind Power Conference September 18-21, 2006, Adelaide, Australia | pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= | accessdate= }} </ref> {{renewable energy sources}} The siting of turbines has become a controversial issue amongst those concerned about the value of natural landscapes, particularly since the best sites for wind generation tend to be in scenic mountain and oceanside areas.<ref>Rincon, Paul [http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolpda/ukfs_news/hi/newsid_5205000/5205430.stm Wind power dilemma for Lewis] [[BBC]] (2006)</ref> ==History== {{main|History of wind power}} The earliest historical reference to a rudimentary windmill was used to power an [[Organ (music)|organ]] in the 1st century AD.<ref>A.G. Drachmann, "Heron's Windmill", ''Centaurus'', 7 (1961), pp. 145-151</ref> The first practical [[windmill]]s were later built in [[Sistan]], [[Afghanistan]], from the [[7th century]]. These were vertical-[[axle]] windmills, which had long vertical [[driveshaft]]s with rectangle shaped [[blade]]s.<ref>[[Ahmad Y Hassan]], [[Donald Routledge Hill]] (1986). ''Islamic Technology: An illustrated history'', p. 54. [[Cambridge University Press]]. ISBN 0-521-42239-6.</ref> Made of six to twelve [[Windmill sail|sail]]s covered in [[reed mat]]ting or [[cloth]] material, these windmills were used to grind [[corn]] and draw up [[water]], and were used in the [[gristmill]]ing and [[Sugar refinery|sugarcane industries]].<ref>[[Donald Routledge Hill]], "Mechanical Engineering in the Medieval Near East", ''Scientific American'', May 1991, p. 64-69. ([[cf.]] [[Donald Routledge Hill]], [http://home.swipnet.se/islam/articles/HistoryofSciences.htm Mechanical Engineering])</ref> Horizontal-axle windmills were later used extensively in Northwestern [[Europe]] to grind flour beginning in the 1180s, and many Dutch windmills still exist.<ref>Dietrich Lohrmann, "Von der östlichen zur westlichen Windmühle", ''Archiv für Kulturgeschichte'', Vol. 77, Issue 1 (1995), pp.1-30 (18ff.)</ref> In the [[United States]], the development of the "water-pumping windmill" was the major factor in allowing the farming and ranching of vast areas of North America, which were otherwise devoid of readily accessible water. They contributed to the expansion of [[rail transport]] systems throughout the world, by pumping water from [[water well|well]]s to supply the needs of the [[steam locomotive]]s of those early times.<ref>[http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/weather/weatherwise/stories/MYSA092407.01A.State_windmills.3430a27.html Quirky old-style contraptions make water from wind on the mesas of West Texas]</ref> The multi-bladed wind turbine atop a lattice tower made of wood or steel was, for many years, a fixture of the landscape throughout rural America. The modern wind turbine was developed beginning in the 1980s, although designs are still under development. == Wind energy == {{details more|Wind}} The origin of wind is complex. The Earth is unevenly heated by the sun resulting in the [[Geographic pole|pole]]s receiving less energy from the sun than the [[equator]] does. Also the dry land heats up (and cools down) more quickly than the seas do. The differential heating drives a global [[convection#Atmospheric convection|atmospheric convection]] system reaching from the Earth's surface to the [[stratosphere]] which acts as a virtual ceiling. Most of the energy stored in these wind movements can be found at high altitudes where continuous wind speeds of over 160 km/h (100 mph) occur. Eventually, the wind energy is converted through friction into diffuse heat throughout the Earth's surface and the atmosphere. There is an estimated 72&nbsp;TW of wind energy on the Earth that potentially can be commercially viable.<ref> [http://www.ocean.udel.edu/windpower/ResourceMap/index-world.html Mapping the global wind power resource]. </ref> Not all the energy of the wind flowing past a given point can be recovered (see [[Betz' law]]). === Distribution of wind speed === [[Image:Lee Ranch Wind Speed Frequency.png|thumb|left|Distribution of wind speed (red) and energy (blue) for all of 2002 at the Lee Ranch facility in Colorado. The histogram shows measured data, while the curve is the Rayleigh model distribution for the same average wind speed. Energy is the Betz limit through a 100&nbsp;meter diameter circle facing directly into the wind. Total energy for the year through that circle was 15.4&nbsp;[[gigawatt-hour]]s.]] Windiness varies, and an average value for a given location does not alone indicate the amount of energy a wind turbine could produce there. To assess the frequency of wind speeds at a particular location, a probability distribution function is often fit to the observed data. Different locations will have different wind speed distributions. The [[Rayleigh distribution|Rayleigh]] model closely mirrors the actual distribution of hourly wind speeds at many locations. Because so much power is generated by higher windspeed, much of the energy comes in short bursts. The 2002 Lee Ranch sample is telling; half of the energy available arrived in just 15% of the operating time. The consequence is that wind energy does not have as consistent an output as fuel-fired power plants; utilities that use wind power must provide backup generation for times that the wind is weak. Making wind power more consistent requires that [[Energy storage|storage technologies]] must be used to retain the large amount of power generated in the bursts for later use. <!-- [[Image:Wind 2006andprediction en.png|thumb|Worldwide installed capacity in 2006 and prediction 1997-2010, Source: [http://www.wwindea.org/ WWEA]]] --> [[Image:WorldWindPower2008.png|thumb|350px|Worldwide installed capacity 1997-2007, with projection 2008-2013 based on an exponential fit. Data source: [http://www.wwindea.org/ WWEA]]] === Grid management === Induction generators often used for wind power projects require [[reactive power]] for excitation, so substations used in wind-power collection systems include substantial [[capacitor]] banks for [[power factor correction]]. Different types of wind turbine generators behave differently during transmission grid disturbances, so extensive modelling of the dynamic electromechanical characteristics of a new wind farm is required by transmission system operators to ensure predictable stable behaviour during system faults. In particular, induction generators cannot support the system voltage during faults, unlike steam or hydro turbine-driven synchronous generators (however properly matched power factor correction capacitors along with electronic control of resonance can support induction generation without grid). [[Doubly-fed electric machine|Doubly-fed machines]], or wind turbines with solid-state converters between the turbine generator and the collector system, have generally more desirable properties for grid interconnection. Transmission systems operators will supply a wind farm developer with a ''grid code'' to specify the requirements for interconnection to the transmission grid. This will include [[power factor]], constancy of [[Utility frequency|frequency]] and dynamic behaviour of the wind farm turbines during a system fault. <ref> Robert Zavadil et al, ''Making Connections: Wind Generation Challenges and Progress'', ''IEEE Power and Energy Magazine'', Nov/Dec. 2005, pgs. 27-37</ref> <ref> Edgar A. DeMoe et al, ''Wind Plant Integration: Cost, Status and Issues'', 'IEEE Power and Energy Magazine'', Nov/Dec. 2005, pgs. 39-46</ref> === Capacity factor === Since wind speed is not constant, a [[wind farm]]'s annual energy production is never as much as the sum of the generator nameplate ratings multiplied by the total hours in a year. The ratio of actual productivity in a year to this theoretical maximum is called the [[capacity factor]]. Typical capacity factors are 20-40%, with values at the upper end of the range in particularly favourable sites.<ref> [http://www.awea.org/faq/basicen.html How Does A Wind Turbine's Energy Production Differ from Its Power Production?] </ref><ref> [http://www.ceere.org/rerl/about_wind/RERL_Fact_Sheet_2a_Capacity_Factor.pdf Wind Power: Capacity Factor, Intermittency, and what happens when the wind doesn’t blow?] retrieved 24 January 2008.</ref> For example, a 1 megawatt turbine with a capacity factor of 35% will not produce 8,760 megawatt-hours in a year (1x24x365), but only 0.35x24x365&nbsp;=&nbsp;3,066&nbsp;MWh, averaging to 0.35 MW. Online data is available for some locations and the capacity factor can be calculated from the yearly output.<ref>[http://view2.fatspaniel.net/FST/Portal/LighthouseElectrical/maritime/HostedAdminView.html Massachusetts Maritime Academy — Bourne, Mass] This 660 kW wind turbine has a capacity factor of about 19%.</ref><ref>[http://www.ieso.ca/imoweb/marketdata/windpower.asp Wind Power in Ontario] These wind farms have capacity factors of about 28 to 35%.</ref><!--Note to editors, please add links from other geographical regions.--> Unlike fueled generating plants, the capacity factor is limited by the inherent properties of wind. Capacity factors of other types of power plant are based mostly on fuel cost, with a small amount of downtime for maintenance. [[Nuclear Power|Nuclear plants]] have low incremental fuel cost, and so are run at full output and achieve a 90% capacity factor.<ref>{{cite web | author = Nuclear Energy Institute | title = Nuclear Facts | url = http://www.nei.org/doc.asp?catnum=2&catid=106 | accessdate = 2006-07-23 }}</ref> Plants with higher fuel cost are throttled back to follow load. [[Gas turbine]] plants using [[natural gas]] as fuel may be very expensive to operate and may be run only to meet peak power demand. A gas turbine plant may have an annual capacity factor of 5-25% due to relatively high energy production cost. According to a 2007 Stanford University study published in the Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, interconnecting ten or more wind farms allows 33 to 47% of the total energy produced to be used as reliable, baseload electric power, as long as minimum criteria are met for wind speed and turbine height.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-11/ams-tpo112107.php | title=The power of multiples: Connecting wind farms can make a more reliable and cheaper power source | date=2007-11-21 }}</ref> == Intermittency and penetration limits == {{main|Intermittent Power Sources}} Electricity generated from wind power can be highly variable at several different timescales: from hour to hour, daily, and seasonally. Annual variation also exists, but is not as significant. Because instantaneous electrical generation and consumption must remain in balance to maintain grid stability, this variability can present substantial challenges to incorporating large amounts of wind power into a grid system. [[Intermittent power sources|Intermittency]] and the non-dispatchable nature of wind energy production can raise costs for regulation, incremental operating reserve, and (at high penetration levels) could require [[energy demand management]], [[load shedding]], or storage solutions. At low levels of wind penetration, fluctuations in load and allowance for failure of large generating units requires reserve capacity that can also regulate for variability of wind generation. [[Pumped-storage hydroelectricity]] or other forms of [[grid energy storage]] can store energy developed by high-wind periods and release it when needed.<ref name="Mitchell 2006">Mitchell 2006.</ref> Stored energy increases the economic [[value of wind]] energy since it can be shifted to displace higher cost generation during peak demand periods. The potential revenue from this [[arbitrage]] can offset the cost and losses of storage; the cost of storage may add 25% to the cost of wind energy. Peak wind speeds may not coincide with peak demand for electrical power. In [[California]] and [[Texas]], for example, hot days in summer may have low wind speed and high electrical demand due to [[air conditioning]]. In the [[United Kingdom|UK]], however, winter demand is higher than summer demand, and so are wind speeds.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ecolo.org/documents/documents_in_english/Wind-heat-06-5pc.htm | title=Wind Generation's Performance during the July 2006 California Heat Storm | date=2006-08-09 | author=David Dixon, Nuclear Engineer | publisher=US DOE, Oakland Operations }}</ref><ref>[http://www.theiet.org/factfiles/energy/env-intro.cfm?type=pdf The Environmental Effects of Electricity Generation]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V2W-4HPD59N-1&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=bf0326d6c9fba5f5d1fc6c86b25eb2d8 | title= Characteristics of the UK wind resource: Long-term patterns and relationship to electricity demand | author=Graham Sinden | publisher=Environmental Change Institute, Oxford University Centre for the Environment | date=2005-12-01 }}</ref> [[Solar power]] tends to be complementary to wind;{{Who|date=March 2008}}<ref name=windsun>[http://blog.oregonlive.com/pdxgreen/2008/01/wind_sun_join_forces_at_washin.html Wind + sun join forces at Washington power plant] Retrieved 31 January 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/re_wind_smallwind.htm Small Wind Systems]</ref> on most days with no wind there is sun and on most days with no sun there is wind.{{Fact|date=March 2008}} A demonstration project at the [[Massachusetts Maritime Academy]]'s shows the effect. A combined power plant linking solar, wind, bio-gas and hydrostorage is proposed as a way to provide 100% renewable power.<ref>[http://www.solarserver.de/solarmagazin/anlage-e.html The Combined Power Plant: the first stage in providing 100% power from renewable energy]</ref> The 2006 Energy in Scotland Inquiry report expressed concern that wind power cannot be a sole source of supply, and recommends diverse sources of electric energy. <ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.royalsoced.org.uk/enquiries/energy/summary_report.pdf | title= "Inquiry into Energy Issues for Scotland"; Summary Report | author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= | date= June 2006 |format= [[PDF]] |work= |publisher= [[Royal Society of Edinburgh]] | pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= | accessdate= 2008-01-15 }} </ref> A report from Denmark noted that their wind power network was without power for 54 days during 2002.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.thomastelford.com/journals/DocumentLibrary/CIEN.158.2.66.pdf | title= Why wind power works for Denmark | author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= | date= May 2005 |format= [[PDF]] |work= |publisher= ''[[Civil Engineering]]'' | pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= | accessdate= 2008-01-15 }} </ref> Wind power advocates argue that these periods of low wind can be dealt with by simply re starting existing power stations that have been held in readiness. The cost of keeping a power station idle is in fact quite low, since the main cost of running a power station is the fuel. ===Penetration=== Wind energy "penetration" refers to the fraction of energy produced by wind compared with the total available generation capacity. There is no generally accepted "maximum" level of wind penetration. The limit for a particular grid will depend on the existing generating plants, pricing mechanisms, capacity for storage or demand management, and other factors. An interconnected electricity grid will already include reserve generating and transmission capacity to allow for equipment failures; this reserve capacity can also serve to regulate for the varying power generation by wind plants. Studies have indicated that 20% of the total electrical energy consumption may be incorporated with minimal difficulty.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.ases.org/climatechange/climate_change.pdf | title=Tackling Climate Change in the U.S.| first=| last= +format= [[PDF]] | publisher= American Solar Energy Society| year=January 2007| accessdate=2007-09-05 }}</ref> These studies have been for locations with geographically dispersed wind farms, some degree of dispatchable energy, or hydropower with storage capacity, demand management, and interconnection to a large grid area export of electricity when needed. Beyond this level, there are few technical limits, but the economic implications become more significant. At present, few grid systems have penetration of wind energy above 5%: Denmark (values over 18%), Spain and Portugal (values over 9%), Germany and the Republic of Ireland (values over 6%). The Danish grid is heavily interconnected to the European electrical grid, and it has solved grid management problems by exporting almost half of its wind power to Norway. The correlation between electricity export and wind power production is very strong.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.wind-watch.org/documents/wp-content/uploads/dk-analysis-wind.pdf | title= "Analysis of Wind Power in the Danish Electricity Supply in 2005 and 2006" (translated from Danish) | author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= | date= 10-08-2007 |format= [[PDF]] |work= |publisher= | pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= | accessdate= 2008-01-15 }} </ref> A study commissioned by the state of [[Minnesota]] considered penetration of up to 25%, and concluded that integration issues would be manageable and have incremental costs of less than one-half cent ($0.0045) per kWh.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.puc.state.mn.us/docs/windrpt_vol%201.pdf | title= "Final Report - 2006 Minnesota Wind Integration Study" | author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= | date= [[November 30]], [[2006]] | format= [[PDF]] | publisher= The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission | pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= | accessdate= 2008-01-15 }} </ref> === Predictability === {{main|Wind Power Forecasting}} Related to variability is the short-term (hourly or daily) predictability of wind plant output. Like other electricity sources, wind energy must be "scheduled". The nature of this energy source makes it inherently variable. Wind power forecasting methods are used, but predictability of wind plant output remains low for short-term operation. == Turbine placement == {{main|Wind farm}} Good selection of a wind turbine site is critical to economic development of wind power. Aside from the availability of wind itself, other significant factors include the availability of transmission lines, value of energy to be produced, cost of land acquisition, land use considerations, and environmental impact of construction and operations. Off-shore locations may offset their higher construction cost with higher annual load factors, thereby reducing cost of energy produced. Wind farm designers use specialized [[wind energy software]] applications to evaluate the impact of these issues on a given wind farm design. == Utilization of wind power == {{further|[[:Category:Wind power by country]]}} <blockquote> ''Also see [[Installed wind power capacity]] for prior years'' </blockquote> <!-- Please do not change the order of countries until end of 2008 figures are available in March 2009. Please supply a reference for any changes. --> {| class="wikitable" style="float: right; margin-left: 10px" ! colspan="5" align=center style="background-color: #cfb;" | Installed windpower capacity (MW)<ref name="GWEC">{{cite web | url= http://www.gwec.net/uploads/media/07-02_PR_Global_Statistics_2006.pdf | title=Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) statistics |format= [[PDF]] }}</ref><ref name="EWEA">{{cite web | url= http://www.ewea.org/fileadmin/ewea_documents/documents/publications/statistics/070129_Wind_map_2006.pdf | title=European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) statistics |format= [[PDF]] }}</ref><ref>[http://www.gwec.net/uploads/media/chartes08_EN_UPD_01.pdf Global installed wind power capacity (MW)] Global Wind Energy Council 6.2.2008</ref> |- ! style="background-color: #cfb;" | Rank ! style="background-color: #cfb;" | Nation ! style="background-color: #cfb;" align=right | 2005 ! style="background-color: #cfb;" align=right | 2006 ! style="background-color: #cfb;" align=right | 2007<!-- ! style="background-color: #cfb;" align=right | 2008--> |- | align=right | 1 || [[Wind power in Germany|Germany]] || align=right | 18,415|| align=right | 20,622 || align=right | 22,247 |- | align=right | 2 || [[Wind power in the United States|United States]] || align=right | 9,149 || align=right | 11,603 || align=right | 16,818 |- | align=right | 3 || [[Wind power in Spain|Spain]] || align=right | 10,028 || align=right | 11,615 || align=right | 15,145 |- | align=right | 4 || [[Wind power in India|India]] || align=right | 4,430 || align=right | 6,270 || align=right | 8,000 |- | align=right | 5 || [[Wind power in China|China]] || align=right | 1,260 || align=right | 2,604 || align=right | 6,050 |- | align=right | 6 || [[Wind power in Denmark|Denmark (& Faeroe Islands)]] || align=right | 3,136 || align=right | 3,140 || align=right |3,129 |- | align=right | 7 || [[Wind power in Italy|Italy]] || align=right | 1,718 || align=right | 2,123 || align=right | 2,726 |- | align=right | 8 || [[Wind power in France|France]] || align=right | 757 || align=right | 1,567 || align=right | 2,454 |- | align=right | 9 || [[Wind power in the United Kingdom|United Kingdom]] || align=right | 1,332 || align=right | 1,963 || align=right | 2,389 <!-- || align=right | 2,406 --> |- | align=right | 10 || [[Wind power in Portugal|Portugal]] || align=right | 1,022 || align=right | 1,716 || align=right | 2,150 |- | align=right | 11 || [[Wind power in Canada|Canada]] || align=right | 683 || align=right | 1,459 || align=right | 1,856 |- | align=right | 12 || [[Wind power in the Netherlands|Netherlands]] || align=right | 1,219 || align=right | 1,560 || align=right |1,747 |- | align=right | 13 || [[Wind power in Japan|Japan]] || align=right | 1,061 || align=right | 1,394 || align=right | 1,538 |- | align=right | 14 || [[Wind power in Austria|Austria]] || align=right | 819 || align=right | 965 || align=right |982 |- | align=right | 15 || [[Wind power in Greece|Greece]] || align=right | 573 || align=right | 746 || align=right | 871 |- | align=right | 16 || [[Wind power in Australia|Australia]] || align=right | 708 || align=right | 817 || align=right |824 |- | align=right | 17 || [[Wind power in Ireland|Ireland]] || align=right | 496 || align=right | 745 || align=right | 805 |- | align=right | 18 || [[Wind power in Sweden|Sweden]] || align=right | 510 || align=right | 572 || align=right |788 |- | align=right | 19 || [[Wind power in Norway|Norway]] || align=right | 267 || align=right | 314 || align=right |333 |- | align=right | 20 || [[Wind power in New Zealand|New Zealand]] || align=right | 169 || align=right | 171 || align=right | 322 |- | align=right | 21 || [[Wind power in Egypt|Egypt]] || align=right | 145 || align=right | 230 || align=right | 310 |- | align=right | 22 || [[Wind power in Belgium|Belgium]] || align=right | 167 || align=right | 193 || align=right |287 |- | align=right | 23 || [[Wind power in Taiwan|Taiwan]] || align=right | 104 || align=right | 188 || align=right |282 |- | align=right | 24 || [[Wind power in Poland|Poland]] || align=right | 83 || align=right | 153 || align=right | 276 |- | align=right | 25 || [[Wind power in Brazil|Brazil]] || align=right | 29 || align=right | 237 || align=right |247 |- | align=right | 26 || [[Wind power in South Korea|South Korea]] || align=right | 98 || align=right | 173 || align=right |191 |- | align=right | 27 || [[Wind power in Turkey|Turkey]] || align=right | 20 || align=right | 51 || align=right |146 |- | align=right | 28 || [[Wind power in Czech Republic|Czech Republic]] || align=right | 28 || align=right | 50 || align=right |116 |- | align=right | 29 || [[Wind power in Morocco|Morocco]] || align=right | 64 || align=right | 124 || align=right |114 |- | align=right | 30 || [[Wind power in Finland|Finland]] || align=right | 82 || align=right | 86 || align=right | 110 |- | align=right | 31 || [[Wind power in Ukraine|Ukraine]] || align=right | 77 || align=right | 86 || align=right |89 |- | align=right | 32 || [[Wind power in Mexico|Mexico]] || align=right | 3 || align=right | 88 || align=right |87 |- | align=right | 33 || [[Wind power in Costa Rica|Costa Rica]] || align=right | 71 || align=right | 74 || align=right |74 |- | align=right | 34 || [[Wind power in Bulgaria|Bulgaria]] || align=right | 6 || align=right | 36 || align=right |70 |- | align=right | 35 || [[Wind power in Iran|Iran]] || align=right | 23 || align=right | 48 || align=right |66 |- | align=right | 36 || [[Wind power in Hungary|Hungary]] || align=right | 18 || align=right | 61 || align=right |65 |- | align=right | || Rest of Europe || align=right | 129 || align=right | 163 || align=right | |- | align=right | || Rest of Americas || align=right | 109 || align=right | 109 || align=right | |- | align=right | || Rest of Asia || align=right | 38 || align=right | 38 || align=right | |- | align=right | || Rest of Africa & Middle East || align=right | 31 || align=right | 31 || align=right | |- | align=right | || Rest of Oceania || align=right | 12 || align=right | 12 || align=right | |- | ! style="background-color: #cfb;" | World total (MW) | align=right style="background-color: #cfb;" | '''59,091''' || align=right style="background-color: #cfb;" | '''74,223''' || align=right style="background-color: #cfb;" | '''93,849''' |} {| class="wikitable" style="float: left; margin-left: 10px" ! colspan="8" align=center style="background-color: #cfb;" | Annual Wind Power Generation (TWh) / Total electricity consumption(TWh)<ref>http://www.sp.com.cn/sjdl/sjdltj/sjdltj0612.htm</ref><ref>http://www.sp.com.cn/sjdl/sjdltj/sjdltj0512.htm</ref><ref>http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/international/electricitygeneration.html</ref> |- ! style="background-color: #cfb;" | Rank ! style="background-color: #cfb;" | Nation ! style="background-color: #cfb;" align=right colspan=2 | 2005 ! style="background-color: #cfb;" align=right colspan=2 | 2006 ! style="background-color: #cfb;" align=right colspan=2 | 2007<!-- ! style="background-color: #cfb;" align=right colspan=2 | 2008--> |- | align=right | || || align=right | Wind Power|| align=right | Total Power|| align=right | Wind Power|| align=right | Total Power|| align=right | Wind Power|| align=right | Total Power |- | align=right | 1 || [[Wind power in Germany|Germany]] || align=right | 27.225|| align=right | 533.700|| align=right | 30.700|| align=right | 569.943|| align=right | 39.500|| align=right | 584.939<ref>http://www.iea.org/Textbase/stats/surveys/mes.pdf</ref> |- | align=right | 2 || [[Wind power in the United States|United States]] || align=right | || align=right | 4049.8|| align=right | 26.3<ref>[http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=212819 Analysis of wind farm energy produced in the United States]</ref>|| align=right | 4104.967|| align=right | || align=right | 4179.908 |- | align=right | 3 || [[Wind power in Spain|Spain]] || align=right | 23.166|| align=right | 254.90|| align=right | 29.777|| align=right | 294.596|| align=right | || align=right | 303.758 |- | align=right | 4 || [[Wind power in India|India]] || align=right | || align=right | 661.64|| align=right | || align=right | || align=right | |- | align=right | 5 || [[Wind power in China|China]] || align=right | || align=right | 2474.7|| align=right | 2.70|| align=right | 2834.4|| align=right | || align=right | 3255.9 |- | align=right | 6 || [[Wind power in Denmark|Denmark (& Faeroe Islands)]] || align=right | 6.614|| align=right | 34.30|| align=right |7.432 || align=right | 44.24|| align=right | || align=right | 37.276 |- | align=right | 7 || [[Wind power in France|France]] || align=right | || align=right | 547.8 || align=right |2.323|| align=right | 550.063|| align=right | || align=right | 545.289 |- | align=right | 8 || [[Wind power in the United Kingdom|United Kingdom]] || align=right | 0.973|| align=right | 407.365|| align=right | || align=right | 383.898|| align=right | || align=right | 379.756 <!-- || align=right | 2,406 --> |- | align=right | 9 || [[Wind power in Portugal|Portugal]] || align=right | || align=right | 35.0|| align=right | 4.74|| align=right | 48.876|| align=right | |- ! style="background-color: #cfb;" | | style="background-color: #cfb;" | World total (TWh) | align=right style="background-color: #cfb;" | | align=right style="background-color: #cfb;" | | align=right style="background-color: #cfb;" | | align=right style="background-color: #cfb;" | 16790<ref>https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2042rank.html</ref> | align=right style="background-color: #cfb;" | | align=right style="background-color: #cfb;" | |} <!-- nbsp's needed to fix work wrap problems--> The&nbsp;modern&nbsp;[[wind power industry]] began in 1979 with the serial production of wind turbines by Danish manufacturers Kuriant, Vestas, Nordtank, and Bonus. These early turbines were small by today's standards, with capacities of 20 to 30 kW each. Since then, they have increased greatly in size, while wind turbine production has expanded to many countries all over the world. There are now many thousands of wind turbines operating, with a total capacity of 73,904&nbsp;MW of which [[wind power in Europe]] accounts for 65% (2006). Wind power was the most fastest growing energy source at the end of 2004.{{Fact|date=March 2008}} World wind generation capacity more than quadrupled between 2000 and 2006. 81% of wind power installations are in the US and Europe, but the share of the top five countries in terms of new installations fell from 71% in 2004 to 62% in 2006. In 2007, the countries with the highest total installed capacity were Germany, the United States, Spain, India, and China (see chart). By 2010, the World Wind Energy Association expects 160GW of capacity to be installed worldwide,<ref name="wwindea" /> up from 73.9&nbsp;GW at the end of 2006, implying an anticipated net growth rate of more than 21% per year. [[Wind power in Denmark|Denmark]] generates nearly one-fifth of its electricity with wind turbines -- the highest percentage of any country -- and is fifth in the world in total wind power generation. Denmark is prominent in the manufacturing and use of wind turbines, with a commitment made in the 1970s to eventually produce half of the country's power by wind [[Wind power in Germany|Germany]] is the leading producer of wind power, with 28% of the total world capacity in 2006 and a total output of 38.5&nbsp;TWh in 2007 (6.3% of German electricity); the official target is for renewable energy to meet 12.5% of German electricity needs by 2010 — this target may be reached ahead of schedule. Germany has 18,600&nbsp;wind turbines, mostly in the north of the country — including three of the biggest in the world, constructed by the companies [[Enercon]] (6&nbsp;MW), Multibrid (5&nbsp;MW) and Repower (5&nbsp;MW). Germany's [[Schleswig-Holstein]] province generates 36% of its power with wind turbines. In 2005, the government of [[Wind power in Spain|Spain]] approved a new national goal for installed wind power capacity of 20,000&nbsp;MW in 2010. With installation of 3515&nbsp;MW in 2007 (for a total figure of 15,145&nbsp;MW), this target will probably be reached ahead of schedule. A significant acceleration of the bureaucratic proceedings and connections to grid, and the legislative change occurred during 2007 (with Royal Decree 661/2007), have accelerated the developing of many wind parks, so that they could still run under the previous more favourable conditions. In recent years, [[Wind power in the United States|the United States]] has added more wind energy to its grid than any other country; U.S. wind power capacity grew by 45% to 16.8 gigawatts in 2007.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.awea.org/newsroom/releases/AWEA_Market_Release_Q4_011708.html | title = Installed U.S. Wind Power Capacity Surged 45% in 2007 | author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= | date= [[January 17]], [[2008]] |work= |publisher= [[American Wind Energy Association]] | pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= | accessdate= 2008-01-20}}</ref> Texas has become the largest wind energy producing state, surpassing [[California]]. In 2007, the state expects to add 2&nbsp;gigawatts to its existing capacity of approximately 4.5&nbsp;gigawatts. Iowa and Minnesota are expected to each produce 1&nbsp;gigawatt by late-2007.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://awea.org/projects | title= U.S. Wind Energy Projects |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= 2008-01-16 |work= |publisher= American Wind Energy Association |pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= | accessdate= 2008-02-13}} </ref> Wind power generation in the U.S. was up 31.8% in February, 2007 from February, 2006.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/epm_sum.html | title= ''Electric Power Monthly'' (January 2008 Edition) | author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= | date= [[January 15]], [[2008]] |work= |publisher= [[Energy Information Administration]] | pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= | accessdate= 2008-01-15 }} </ref> The average output of one megawatt of wind power is equivalent to the average electricity consumption of about 250 American households. According to the American Wind Energy Association, wind will generate enough electricity in 2008 to power just over 1% (4.5 million households) of total electricity in U.S., up from less than 0.1% in 1999. [[U.S. Department of Energy]] studies have concluded wind harvested in just three of the fifty U.S. states could provide enough electricity to power the entire nation, and that offshore wind farms could do the same job.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/images/windmaps/ma_50m_800.jpg | title= Massachusetts — 50 m Wind Power | author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= | date= [[6 February]] [[2007]] |format= [[JPEG]] |work= | publisher= U.S. [[National Renewable Energy Laboratory]] | pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= | accessdate= 2008-01-15 }} </ref> [[Wind power in India|India]] ranks 4th in the world with a total wind power capacity of 6,270&nbsp;MW in 2006, or 3% of all electricity produced in India. The World Wind Energy Conference in New Delhi in November 2006 has given additional impetus to the Indian wind industry.<ref name="wwindea">[http://www.wwindea.org/home/images/stories/pdfs/pr_statistics2006_290107.pdf World Wind Energy Association Statistics] (PDF).</ref> The windfarm near [[Muppandal]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]], provides an impoverished village with energy.<ref>{{cite web | year = 2005 | month =February | url=http://www.tve.org/ho/doc.cfm?aid=1678&lang=English | title=Tapping the Wind — India | publisher= | accessdate=2006-10-28 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last = Watts | first = Himangshu | year = 2003 | month =November 11 | url=http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/22758/story.htm | title=Clean Energy Brings Windfall to Indian Village | publisher=Reuters News Service | accessdate=2006-10-28 }}</ref> India-based [[Suzlon Energy]] is one of the world's largest wind turbine manufacturers.<ref> [http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/partner/story;jsessionid=EA70B1B5FF984FDD7D4FF04A44A917D4?id=45465 Suzlon Energy]</ref> In December 2003, [[General Electric]] installed the world's largest offshore wind turbines in [[Wind power in Ireland|Ireland]], and plans are being made for more such installations on the west coast, including the possible use of floating turbines. In 2005, [[Wind power in China|China]] announced it would build a 1000-megawatt wind farm in Hebei for completion in 2020. China reportedly has set a generating target of 20,000&nbsp;MW by 2020 from renewable energy sources — it says indigenous wind power could generate up to 253,000&nbsp;MW. Following the World Wind Energy Conference in November 2004, organised by the Chinese and the World Wind Energy Association, a Chinese renewable energy law was adopted. In late 2005, the Chinese government increased the official wind energy target for the year 2020 from 20&nbsp;GW to 30&nbsp;GW.<ref>Lema, Adrian and Kristian Ruby, [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V2W-4NC5T5N-1&_user=642064&_coverDate=03%2F28%2F2007&_rdoc=7&_fmt=summary&_orig=browse&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%235713%239999%23999999999%2399999%23FLA%23display%23Articles)&_cdi=5713&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_ct=83&_acct=C000034558&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=642064&md5=ea3806a5e05a7c0146a34eb06e8aa142 ”Between fragmented authoritarianism and policy coordination: Creating a Chinese market for wind energy”], Energy Policy, Vol. 35, Isue 7, July 2007. </ref> [[Mexico]] recently opened [[La Venta II wind power project]] as an important step in reducing Mexico's consumption of fossil fuels. The 88 MW project is the first of its kind in Mexico, and will provide 13 percent of the electricity needs of the state of Oaxaca. By 2012 the project will have a capacity of 3500 MW. Another growing market is [[Wind power in Brazil|Brazil]], with a wind potential of 143&nbsp;GW.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.cresesb.cepel.br/atlas_eolico_brasil/atlas-web.htm | title=Atlas do Potencial Eólico Brasileiro| accessdate=2006-04-21}}</ref> The federal government has created an incentive program, called Proinfa,<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.eletrobras.gov.br/EM_Programas_Proinfa/default.asp | title=Eletrobrás — Centrais Elétricas Brasileiras S. A — Projeto Proinfa| accessdate=2006-04-21}}</ref> to build production capacity of 3300&nbsp;MW of renewable energy for 2008, of which 1422&nbsp;MW through wind energy. The program seeks to produce 10% of Brazilian electricity through renewable sources. [[South Africa]] has a proposed station situated on the West Coast north of the Olifants River mouth near the town of Koekenaap, east of Vredendal in the Western Cape province. The station is proposed to have a total output of 100MW although there are negotiations to double this capacity. The plant could be operational by 2010. [[Wind power in France|France]] has announced a target of 12,500 MW installed by 2010. [[Wind power in Canada|Canada]] experienced rapid growth of wind capacity between 2000 and 2006, with total installed capacity increasing from 137&nbsp;MW to 1,451&nbsp;MW, and showing an annual growth rate of 38%.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.canwea.ca/downloads/en/PDFS/Rapid_growth_eng_April_06.pdf | title=Wind Energy: Rapid Growth| publisher=Canadian Wind Energy Association| format=PDF| accessdate=2006-04-21}}</ref> Particularly rapid growth was seen in 2006, with total capacity doubling from the 684&nbsp;MW at end-2005.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.canwea.ca/images/uploads/File/fiche_anglais_Dec_2006.pdf | title= Canada's Current Installed Capacity|publisher=Canadian Wind Energy Association| format=PDF| accessdate=2006-12-11}}</ref> This growth was fed by measures including installation targets, economic incentives and political support. For example, the [[Ontario]] government announced that it will introduce a feed-in tariff for wind power, referred to as 'Standard Offer Contracts', which may boost the wind industry across the province.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.ontario-sea.org/whatsnew.html | year=2006| title=Standard Offer Contracts Arrive In Ontario| accessdate=2006-04-21| publisher=Ontario Sustainable Energy Association}}</ref> In [[Quebec]], the [[Hydro-Québec|provincially-owned electric utility]] plans to purchase an additional 2000&nbsp;MW by 2013.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.hydroquebec.com/distribution/en/marchequebecois/ao_200503/index.html | title=Call for Tenders A/O 2005-03: Wind Power 2,000&nbsp;MW| publisher=Hydro-Québec| accessdate=2006-04-21}}</ref> == Small scale wind power == [[Image:Urbine221dc.jpg|thumb|right|This wind turbine charges a 12 volt [[battery (electricity)|battery]] to run 12 volt appliances.]] Small wind generation systems with capacities of 100 kW or less are usually used to power homes, farms, and small businesses. Isolated communities that otherwise rely on diesel generators may use wind turbines to displace diesel fuel consumption. Individuals purchase these systems to reduce or eliminate their electricity bills, or simply to generate their own clean power. Wind turbines have been used for household electricity generation in conjunction with [[Battery (electricity)|battery]] storage over many decades in remote areas. Increasingly, U.S. consumers are choosing to purchase grid-connected turbines in the 1 to 10 kilowatt range to power their whole homes. Household generator units of more than 1&nbsp;kW are now functioning in several countries, and in every state in the U.S. Grid-connected wind turbines may use [[grid energy storage]], displacing purchased energy with local production when available. Off-grid system users either adapt to intermittent power or use batteries, [[photovoltaic]] or [[diesel]] systems to supplement the wind turbine. In urban locations, where it is difficult to obtain predictable or large amounts of wind energy, smaller systems may still be used to run low power equipment. Equipment such as parking meters or wireless internet gateways may be powered by a wind turbine that charges a small battery, replacing the need for a connection to the power grid. == Economics and feasibility == [[Image:EnerconE70-Magedeburg 2005-Steinkopfinsel01.jpg|thumb|Erection of an [[Enercon]] E70-4 in [[Germany]]]] === Growth and cost trends === Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) figures show that 2007 recorded an increase of installed capacity of 20 gigawatts (GW), taking the total installed wind energy capacity to 94 GW, up from 74 GW in 2006. Despite constraints facing supply chains for wind turbines, the annual market for wind continued to increase at an estimated rate of 31% following 32% growth in 2006. In terms of economic value, the wind energy sector has become one of the important players in the energy markets, with the total value of new generating equipment installed in 2007 reaching €25 billion, or US$36 billion.<ref name=gwec2007>[http://www.gwec.net/index.php?id=30&no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=121&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=4&cHash=f9b4af1cd0 Continuing boom in wind energy – 20 GW of new capacity in 2007]</ref> In 2004, wind energy cost one-fifth of what it did in the 1980s, and some expected that downward trend to continue as larger multi-megawatt [[Wind turbine|turbines]] are mass-produced.<ref>[http://arizonaenergy.org/News&Events/Uncle%20Sam's%20New%20Year's%20Resolution.htm 404 - File not found]</ref> However, installed cost averaged €1,300 per kilowatt in 2007,<ref name=gwec2007/> compared to €1,100 per kilowatt in 2005<ref>[http://www.gwec.net/fileadmin/documents/Publications/GWEC-Global_Wind_05_Report_low_res_01.pdf Global Wind 2005 Report]</ref> Not as many facilities can produce large modern turbines and their towers and foundations, so constraints develop in the supply of turbines resulting in higher costs.<ref>[http://www.sunjournal.com/story/226451-3/Business/Wind_turbine_shortage_continues_costs_rising/ Wind turbine shortage continues; costs rising]</ref> Wind and hydro power have negligible fuel costs and relatively low maintenance costs; in economic terms, wind power has a low [[marginal cost]] and a high proportion of capital cost. The estimated [[average cost]] per unit incorporates the cost of construction of the turbine and transmission facilities, borrowed funds, return to investors (including cost of risk), estimated annual production, and other components, averaged over the projected useful life of the equipment, which may be in excess of twenty years. Energy cost estimates are highly dependent on these assumptions so published cost figures can differ substantially. A British Wind Energy Association report gives an average generation cost of onshore wind power of around 3.2&nbsp;pence per kilowatt hour (2005).<ref name="BWEA"> [http://www.bwea.com/pdf/briefings/target-2005-small.pdf BWEA report on onshore wind costs] (PDF).</ref> Cost per unit of energy produced was estimated in 2006 to be comparable to the cost of new generating capacity in the United States for coal and natural gas: wind cost was estimated at $55.80 per MWh, coal at $53.10/MWh and natural gas at $52.50.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo/pdf/0484(2006).pdf | title= "International Energy Outlook", 2006 | author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= | date= |year= |month= |format= [[PDF]] |work= |publisher= [[Energy Information Administration]] | pages= 66 |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= | accessdate= }} </ref> Other sources in various studies have estimated wind to be more expensive than other sources (see [[Economics of new nuclear power plants]], [[Clean coal]], and [[Carbon capture and storage]]). Similar methods apply to other electrical energy sources. Existing generation capacity represents [[sunk costs]], and the decision to continue production will depend on marginal costs going forward, not estimated average costs at project inception. For example, the estimated cost of new wind power capacity may be lower than that for "new coal" (estimated average costs for new generation capacity) but higher than for "old coal" (marginal cost of production for existing capacity). Therefore, the choice to increase wind capacity will depend on factors including the profile of existing generation capacity. Research from a wide variety of sources in various countries shows that support for wind power is consistently between 70 and 80 per cent amongst the general public.<ref>[http://www.windenergy.org.nz/documents/2005/050825-NZWEA-FactSheet4Tourism.pdf Fact sheet 4: Tourism]</ref> === Theoretical potential === Wind power available in the atmosphere is much greater than current world energy consumption. The most comprehensive study to date<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.stanford.edu/group/efmh/winds/global_winds.html | title=Evaluation of global wind power| first=Cristina L.| last=Archer| coauthors=Mark Z. Jacobson| accessdate=2006-04-21}}</ref> found the potential of wind power on land and near-shore to be 72 [[Watt|TW]], equivalent to 54,000 [[Tonne of oil equivalent|MToE]] (million tons of oil equivalent) per year, or over five times the world's current energy use in all forms. The potential takes into account only locations with mean annual wind speeds ≥ 6.9 m/s at 80 m. It assumes 6 turbines per square km for 77 m diameter, 1.5 MW-turbines on roughly 13% of the total global land area (though that land would also be available for other compatible uses such as farming). The authors acknowledge that many practical barriers would need to be overcome to reach this theoretical capacity. The practical limit to exploitation of wind power will be set by economic and environmental factors, since the resource available is far larger than any practical means to develop it. === Direct costs === Many potential sites for wind farms are far from demand centres, requiring substantially more money to construct new transmission lines and substations. Since the primary cost of producing wind energy is construction and there are no fuel costs, the average cost of wind energy per unit of production is dependent on a few key assumptions, such as the cost of capital and years of assumed service. The [[marginal cost]] of wind energy once a plant is constructed is usually less than 1 cent per kilowatt-hour.<ref name="Patel"> "Wind and Solar Power Systems — Design, analysis and Operation" (2nd ed., 2006), Mukund R. Patel, p. 303</ref> Since the [[cost of capital]] plays a large part in projected cost, risk (as perceived by investors) will affect projected costs per unit of electricity. The commercial viability of wind power also depends on the pricing regime for power producers. Electricity prices are highly regulated worldwide, and in many locations may not reflect the full cost of production, let alone indirect subsidies or negative externalities. Customers may enter into long-term pricing contracts for wind to reduce the risk of future pricing changes, thereby ensuring more stable returns for projects at the development stage. These may take the form of standard offer contracts, whereby the system operator undertakes to purchase power from wind at a fixed price for a certain period (perhaps up to a limit); these prices may be different than purchase prices from other sources, and even incorporate an implicit subsidy. In jurisdictions where the price for electricity is based on market mechanisms, revenue for all producers per unit is higher when their production coincides with periods of higher prices. The profitability of wind farms will therefore be higher if their production schedule coincides with these periods. If wind represents a significant portion of supply, average revenue per unit of production may be lower as more expensive and less-efficient forms of generation, which typically set revenue levels, are displaced from [[economic dispatch]].{{Fact|date=October 2007}} This may be of particular concern if the output of many wind plants in a market have strong temporal correlation. In economic terms, the [[marginal revenue]] of the wind sector as penetration increases may diminish. === External costs === Most forms of energy production create some form of [[negative externality]]: costs that are not paid by the producer or consumer of the good. For electric production, the most significant externality is [[pollution]], which imposes social costs in increased health expenses, reduced agricultural productivity, and other problems. In addition, [[carbon dioxide]], a [[greenhouse gas]] produced when fossil fuels are burned, may impose even greater costs in the form of [[global warming]]. Few mechanisms currently exist to ''internalise'' these costs, and the total cost is highly uncertain. Other significant externalities can include military expenditures to ensure access to fossil fuels, remediation of polluted sites, destruction of wild habitat, loss of scenery/tourism, etc. If the external costs are taken into account, wind energy may be competitive in more cases. Wind energy costs have generally decreased due to technology development and scale enlargement. Wind energy supporters argue that, once external costs and subsidies to other forms of electrical production are accounted for, wind energy is amongst the least costly forms of electrical production. Critics argue that the level of required subsidies, the small amount of energy needs met, and the uncertain financial returns to wind projects make it inferior to other energy sources. Intermittency and other characteristics of wind energy also have costs that may rise with higher levels of penetration, and may change the cost-benefit ratio. === Incentives === [[Image:Wind energy converter5.jpg|thumb||Some of the over 6,000 wind turbines at [[Altamont Pass]], in California. Developed during a period of tax incentives in the 1980s, this wind farm has more turbines than any other in the United States, producing about 125 MW.<ref> [http://www.ilr.tu-berlin.de/WKA/windfarm/altcal.html Wind Plants of California's Altamont Pass]</ref> Considered largely obsolete, these turbines produce only a few tens of kilowatts each.]] Wind energy in many jurisdictions receives some financial or other support to encourage its development. A key issue is the comparison to other forms of energy production, and their total cost. Two main points of discussion arise: direct [[subsidy|subsidies]] and [[externalities]] for various sources of electricity, including wind. Wind energy benefits from subsidies of various kinds in many jurisdictions, either to increase its attractiveness, or to compensate for subsidies received by other forms of production or which have significant negative externalities. In the United States, wind power receives a tax credit for each [[kilowatt-hour]] produced; at 1.9 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2006, the credit has a yearly inflationary adjustment. Another tax benefit is [[accelerated depreciation]]. Many American states also provide incentives, such as exemption from property tax, mandated purchases, and additional markets for "green credits." Countries such as [[Wind Power Production Incentive|Canada]] and [[Germany]] also provide incentives for wind turbine construction, such as tax credits or minimum purchase prices for wind generation, with assured grid access (sometimes referred to as feed-in tariffs). These feed-in tariffs are typically set well above average electricity prices. == Environmental effects == === CO<sub>2</sub> emissions and pollution === Wind power consumes no fuel for continuing operation, and has no emissions directly related to electricity production. Operation does not produce [[carbon dioxide]], [[sulfur dioxide]], [[Mercury (element)|mercury]], [[particulate]]s, or any other type of [[air pollution]], as do fossil fuel power sources. Wind power plants consume resources in manufacturing and construction. During manufacture of the wind turbine, [[steel]], [[concrete]], [[aluminum]] and other materials will have to be made and transported using energy-intensive processes, generally using fossil energy sources. The initial carbon dioxide emissions "pay back" is within about 9 months of operation for off shore turbines.<ref name="vestas">{{cite web | url= http://www.vestas.com/en/about-vestas/sustainability/wind-turbines-and-the-environment/life-cycle-assessment-(lca).aspx | title= Vestas: Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) | author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= | date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= | pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= | accessdate= 2008-02-13}} </ref> Wind power may affect emissions at fossil-fuel plants used for reserve and regulation: {{quote|It is sometimes said that wind energy, for example, does not reduce carbon dioxide emissions because the intermittent nature of its output means it needs to be backed up by fossil fuel plants. Wind turbines do not displace fossil generating capacity on a one-for-one basis. But it is unambiguously the case that wind energy can displace fossil fuel-based generation, reducing both fuel use and carbon dioxide emissions.<ref> [http://www.ukerc.ac.uk/Downloads/PDF/06/0604Intermittency/0604IntermittencyReport.pdf The Costs and Impacts of Intermittency, UK Energy Research Council, March 2006]</ref>}} A study by the Irish national grid stated that "Producing electricity from wind reduces the consumption of fossil fuels and therefore leads to emissions savings", and found reductions in CO2 emissions ranging from 0.33 to 0.59 tonnes of CO2 per MWh.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.eirgrid.com/EirGridPortal/uploads/Publications/Wind%20Impact%20Study%20-%20main%20report.pdf | title= "Impact of Wind Generation in Ireland on the Operation of Conventional Plant and the Economic Implications" | author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= | date= February 2004 |format= [[PDF]] |work= |publisher= ESB National Grid | pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= | accessdate= 2008-01-15 }} </ref> === Net energy gain === Any practical large-scale energy source must replace the energy used in its construction. The [[EROEI|energy return on investment]] (EROI) for wind energy is equal to the cumulative electricity generated divided by the cumulative primary energy required to build and maintain a turbine. The EROI for wind ranges from 5 to 35, with an average of around 18. EROI is strongly proportional to turbine size,<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.theoildrum.com/story/2006/10/17/18478/085 | title= Energy from Wind: A Discussion of the EROI Research |author= Nate Hagens |date= [[October 19]], [[2006]] |work= |publisher= |pages= Figure 2 |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= | accessdate= 2008-02-13}} </ref> and larger late-generation turbines are at the high end of this range, at or above 35.<ref name="vestas"/> Since energy produced is several times energy consumed in construction, there is a [[net energy gain]]. The energy used for construction is produced by the wind turbine within a few months of operation. === Ecological footprint === Unlike fossil fuel and nuclear power stations, which circulate or evaporate large amounts of water for cooling, wind turbines do not need water to generate electricity. However, leaking lubricating oil or hydraulic fluid running down turbine blades may be scattered over the surrounding area, in some cases contaminating drinking water areas.<ref name="Caithness" /><ref>http://members.aol.com/fswemedien/ZZUnfalldatei.htm {{de icon}}</ref><ref>http://members.aol.com/fswemedien/ZZUnfalldatei_00_02.htm {{de icon}}</ref> === Climate change === One study reports simulations that show detectable changes in global climate for very high wind farm usage, on the order of 10% of the world's land area<ref>http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/101/46/16115</ref>. In a similar way, there are concerns of micro-climate change, in particular for urban areas nearby, due to changed airflow and reduced wind power. [[Image:Greenpark wind turbine arp.jpg|thumb|right|A wind turbine at [[Green Park, Berkshire|Greenpark]], [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]], [[England]], producing electricity for around one thousand homes]] === Land use === To reduce losses caused by interference between turbines, a [[wind farm]] requires roughly 0.1 square kilometres of unobstructed land per megawatt of nameplate capacity. A 200 MW wind farm might extend over an area of approximately 20&nbsp;square kilometres. Clearing of wooded areas is often unnecessary. Farmers commonly lease land to companies building wind farms. In the U.S., farmers may receive annual lease payments of two thousand to five thousand dollars per turbine.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d04756.pdf | format=PDF| accessdate=2006-04-21| publisher=United States Government Accountability Office| year=September 2004| title=RENEWABLE ENERGY — Wind Power’s Contribution to Electric Power Generation and Impact on Farms and Rural Communities (GAO-04-756)}}</ref> The land can still be used for farming and cattle grazing. Less than 1% of the land would be used for foundations and access roads, the other 99% could still be used for farming.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.bwea.com/ref/faq.html | title=Wind energy Frequently Asked Questions| publisher=British Wind Energy Association| accessdate=2006-04-21}}</ref> Turbines can be sited on unused land in techniques such as [[center pivot irrigation]]. The clearing of trees around tower bases may be necessary for installation sites on mountain ridges, such as in the northeastern U.S.<ref> [http://www.wind-watch.org/pix/displayimage.php?pid=26&fullsize=1 Forest clearance for Meyersdale, Pa., wind power facility]</ref> Turbines are not generally installed in urban areas. Buildings interfere with wind, turbines must be sited a safe distance ("setback") from residences in case of failure, and the value of land is high. A lakeshore demonstration project by [[Toronto Hydro]] in [[Toronto]] has been built. Offshore locations use no land and avoid known shipping channels. Most offshore locations are at considerable distances from load centres and may face transmission and line loss challenges. Wind turbines located in agricultural areas may create concerns by operators of [[Aerial application|cropdusting]] aircraft. Operating rules may prohibit approach of aircraft within a stated distance of the turbine towers; turbine operators may agree to curtail operations of turbines during cropdusting operations. === Impact on wildlife === ==== Birds ==== Danger to birds is often the main complaint against the installation of a wind turbine, but actual numbers are very low: studies show that the number of birds killed by wind turbines is negligible compared to the number that die as a result of other human activities such as [[traffic]], [[hunting]], [[electric power transmission|power line]]s and [[high-rise building]]s and especially the environmental impacts of using [[fossil fuels|non-clean power sources]]. For example, in the UK, where there are several hundred turbines, about one bird is killed per turbine per year; 10&nbsp;million per year are killed by cars alone.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.bwea.org/media/news/birds.html| title=Birds| accessdate=2006-04-21}}</ref> In the United States, turbines kill 70,000&nbsp;birds per year, compared to 57&nbsp;million killed by cars and 97.5&nbsp;million killed by collisions with plate glass.<ref>{{cite book|last = Lomborg|first = Bjørn|authorlink = Bjørn Lomborg|year = 2001|title = [[The Skeptical Environmentalist]]|publisher = [[Cambridge University Press]]|location = [[New York City]]}}</ref> An article in [[Nature]] stated that each wind turbine kills on average 0.03 birds per year, or one kill per thirty turbines.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v447/n7141/full/447126a.html | title= "Wind farms' deadly reputation hard to shift" | author= Emma Marris |coauthors= Daemon Fairless | date= [[10 May]] [[2007]] |work= |publisher= [[Nature (journal)|''Nature'']] | pages= '''447''' 126 |language= |doi= 10.1038/447126a |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= | accessdate= 2008-01-15 }} Subscription required. </ref> In the UK, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds ([[RSPB]]) concluded that "The available evidence suggests that appropriately positioned wind farms do not pose a significant hazard for birds."<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.rspb.org.uk/policy/windfarms/index.asp | title=Wind farms| publisher=Royal Society for the Protection of Birds| accessdate=2006-04-21| year=[[14 September]] [[2005]]}}</ref> It notes that climate change poses a much more significant threat to wildlife, and therefore supports [[wind farms]] and other forms of [[renewable energy]]. Some paths of [[bird migration]], particularly for birds that fly by night, are unknown. A study suggests that migrating birds may avoid the large turbines,<ref>{{cite journal| url= http://www.newscientist.com/channel/life/mg18625045.500 | title=Wind turbines a breeze for migrating birds| journal=New Scientist| issue=2504| month=18 June| year=2005| pages=21| accessdate=2006-04-21}}</ref> at least in the low-wind non-twilight conditions studied. A Danish 2005 ([[Biology Letters]] 2005:336) study showed that radio tagged migrating birds traveled around offshore wind farms, with less than 1% of migrating birds passing an offshore wind farm in Rønde, Denmark, got close to collision, though the site was studied only during low-wind non-twilight conditions. A survey at Altamont Pass, California, conducted by a California Energy Commission in 2004 showed that onshore turbines killed between 1,766 and 4,721<ref>[http://www.energy.ca.gov/pier/final_project_reports/500-04-052.html Developing Methods to Reduce Bird Mortality In the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area]</ref> birds annually (881 to 1,300 of which were birds of prey). Radar studies of proposed onshore and near-shore sites in the eastern U.S. have shown that migrating songbirds fly well within the reach of large modern turbine blades. A wind farm in Norway's Smøla islands is reported to have affected a colony of sea eagles, according to the British Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Turbine blades killed ten of the birds between August 2005 and March 2007, including three of the five chicks that fledged in 2005. Nine of the 16 nesting territories appear to have been abandoned. Norway is regarded as the most important place for [[white-tailed eagle]]s.<ref>[http://www.wind-watch.org/documents/category/locations/europe/scandinavia/norway/ Wind power and birds at Smøla [Norway] 2003-2006]</ref><ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2007/06/27/eaeagle127.xml Sea eagles being killed by wind turbines]</ref> ==== Bats ==== The numbers of [[bat]]s killed by existing onshore and near-shore facilities has troubled bat enthusiasts.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://vawind.org/Assets/Docs/BCI_ridgetop_advisory.pdf | publisher=Bat Conservation International| title=Caution Regarding Placement of Wind Turbines on Wooded Ridge Tops| year=[[4 January]] [[2005]]| accessdate=2006-04-21| format=PDF}}</ref> A study in 2004 estimated that over 2200&nbsp;bats were killed by 63 onshore turbines in just six weeks at two sites in the eastern U.S.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://batcon.org/wind/BWEC2004finalreport.pdf | publisher=Bat Conservation International| title=Relationships between Bats and Wind Turbines in Pennsylvania and West Virginia: An Assessment of Fatality Search Protocols, Patterns of Fatality, and Behavioral Interactions with Wind Turbines| format=PDF| accessdate=2006-04-21| year=June 2005| first=Edward B.| last=Arnett| coauthors=Wallace P. Erickson, Jessica Kerns, Jason Horn}}</ref> This study suggests some onshore and near-shore sites may be particularly hazardous to local bat populations and more research is needed. Migratory bat species appear to be particularly at risk, especially during key movement periods (spring and more importantly in fall). Lasiurines such as the [[hoary bat]], [[red bat]], and the [[silver-haired bat]] appear to be most vulnerable at North American sites. Almost nothing is known about current populations of these species and the impact on bat numbers as a result of mortality at windpower locations. Offshore wind sites 10 km or more from shore do not interact with bat populations. ==== Fish ==== In Ireland, construction of a wind farm caused pollution feared to be responsible for wiping out vegetation and fish stocks in the Lough Lee.<ref>{{Cite news | title = Pollution at Lough Lee: Wind farm under investigation as wild trout stocks disappear | work = Ulster Herald | accessdate = 2007-12-31 | date=2007-11-01 | url = http://www.nwipp-newspapers.com/UH/free/303483267039304.php }}</ref> A separate landslide is thought to have been caused by wind farm construction, and has killed thousands of fish by polluting the local rivers with sediment.<ref>{{Cite web | last = Monasette | title = Landslide | work = North Atlantic Skyline | accessdate = 2007-12-31 | date=2003-10-19 | url = http://www.monasette.com/archive/000252.html }}</ref> === Offshore ocean noise === As the number of offshore wind farms increase and move further into deeper water, the question arises if the ocean noise that is generated due to mechanical motion of the turbines and other vibrations which can be transmitted via the tower structure to the sea, will become significant enough to harm sea mammals. Tests carried out in Denmark for shallow installations showed the levels were only significant up to a few hundred metres. However, sound injected into deeper water will travel much further and will be more likely to impact bigger creatures like whales which tend to use lower frequencies than porpoises and seals. A recent study found that wind farms add 80–110 dB to the existing low-frequency ambient noise (under 400&nbsp;Hz), which could impact baleen whales communication and stress levels, and possibly prey distribution.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.acousticecology.org/spotlight_oceannoise2006.html | title= "Ocean Noise: What We Learned in 2006" | author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= | date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= Acoustic Ecology Institute | pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= | accessdate= 2008-01-15 }} </ref> === Safety === Operation of any utility-scale energy conversion system presents safety hazards. Wind turbines do not consume fuel or produce pollution during normal operation, but still have hazards associated with their construction and operation. There have been at least 40 fatalities due to construction, operation, and maintenance of wind turbines, including both workers and members of the public, and other injuries and deaths attributed to the wind power life cycle.<ref>{{Cite web | last = Gipe | first = Paul | title = A Summary of Fatal Accidents in Wind Energy | work = Wind-Works.org | accessdate = 2007-12-30 | date=2007 | url = http://www.wind-works.org/articles/ASummaryofFatalAccidentsinWindEnergy.html }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | last = Gipe | first = Paul | title = Contemporary Mortality (Death) Rates in Wind Energy | work = Wind-Works.org | accessdate = 2007-12-30 | date=2006 | url = http://www.wind-works.org/articles/BreathLife.html }} - [http://www.wind-works.org/articles/DeathsDatabase.xls Table of fatalities, Microsoft Excel format] (pro-wind power)</ref><ref name="Caithness">{{Cite web | last = Craig | first = David | title = Summary of Wind Turbine Accident data | work = Caithness Windfarm Information Forum | accessdate = 2007-12-30 | date=2007-11-30 | url = http://www.caithnesswindfarms.co.uk/page4.htm }} - [http://www.caithnesswindfarms.co.uk/fullaccidents.pdf Table of accidents, PDF format] (anti-wind power)</ref> Most worker deaths involve falls or becoming caught in machinery while performing maintenance inside turbine housings. Blade failures and falling ice have also accounted for a number of deaths and injuries. Deaths to members of the public include a parachutist colliding with a turbine and small aircraft crashing into support structures. Other public fatalities have been blamed on collisions with transport vehicles and motorists distracted by the sight and shadow flicker of wind turbines along highways.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://wilfriedheck.tripod.com/2unf.htm | title= Unfälle und Eiswurfgefährdung durch Windkraftanlagen <!--'Accidents and danger-of-thrown-ice by wind turbines'? --> |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= 30. November 2000 |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= [[German language|German]] |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= | accessdate= 2008-02-13}} </ref> When a turbine's brake fails, the turbine can spin freely until it disintegrates or catches fire. This is mitigated in most modern designs by aero brakes, variable pitch blades, and the ability to turn the nacelle to face out of the wind. Turbine blades may fail spontaneously due to manufacturing flaws. Lightning strikes are a common problem, also causing rotor blade damage and fires.<ref name="Caithness" /><ref>{{Cite web | title = Lightning Damage | work = NGup Rotor Blades | accessdate = 2007-12-31 | url = http://www.ngup.com/services_txt_03.htm }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.moorsydeactiongroup.org.uk/windpower.html#nissanfire | title= "Send us your burnouts. We accept trade-ins." | author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= | date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= Moorsyde Wind Farm Action Group | pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= | accessdate= 2008-01-15 }} </ref><ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.windaction.org/pictures/c51/ | title= Pictures: Safety |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= | publisher= Industrial Wind Action Group | accessdate= 2008-03-05 }} </ref> When ejected, pieces of broken blade and ice can be thrown hundreds of meters away. Although no member of the public has been killed by a malfunctioning turbine, there have been close calls, including injury by falling ice. Large pieces of debris, up to several tons, have dropped in populated areas, residential properties, and roads, damaging cars and homes.<ref name="Caithness" /> Often turbine fires cannot be extinguished because of the height, and are left to burn themselves out. In the process, they generate toxic fumes and can scatter flaming debris over a wide area, starting secondary fires below. Several turbine-ignited fires have burned hundreds of acres of vegetation each, and one burned 800 square kilometres (200,000 acres) of Australian National Park.<ref name="Caithness" /><ref>{{Cite web | title = Wind Turbine Accidents Database | accessdate = 2007-12-31 | date=2007-11-26 | language = {{de icon}} | url = http://members.aol.com/fswemedien/ZZUnfalldatei.htm }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | title = Experts try to determine wind farm blaze cause | work = ABC South East SA | accessdate = 2007-12-31 | date=2006-01-23 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200601/1553257.htm?southeastsa }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | title = Edenhope and Ngarkat fires | work = Naracoorte Herald | accessdate = 2007-12-31 | date=2005 | url = http://www.naracoorteherald.com.au/news.html }}</ref> Electronic controllers and safety sub-systems monitor many different aspects of the turbine, generator, tower, and environment to determine if the turbine is operating in a safe manner within prescribed limits. These systems can temporarily shut down the turbine due to high wind, electrical load imbalance, vibration, and other problems. Recurring or significant problems cause a system lockout and notify an engineer for inspection and repair. In addition, most systems include multiple passive safety systems that stop operation even if the electronic controller fails. Wind power proponent and author Paul Gipe estimated in ''Wind Energy Comes of Age'' that the mortality rate for wind power from 1980–1994 was 0.4 deaths per [[terawatt-hour]].<ref>{{Cite book | publisher = John Wiley and Sons | isbn = 047110924X | pages = 560 | last = Gipe | first = Paul | title = Wind Energy Comes of Age | date=1995 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=8itBNxBL4igC&pg=PA368&dq=0.23+death+per+terawatt&sig=ir76O3ExU-59qCMM1LHe_f5MOb8 | quote = The total mortality rate, admittedly based on scanty data from a young technology, is 0.23 death per terawatt-hour. }}</ref><ref> {{Cite web | last = Gipe | first = Paul | title = Contemporary Mortality (Death) Rates in Wind Energy | work = Wind-Works.org | accessdate = 2007-12-30 | date=2006 | url = http://www.wind-works.org/articles/BreathLife.html | quote = I reported in Wind Energy comes of Age a mortality rate of 0.27 deaths per TWh. However ... in the mid-1990s the mortally rate was actually 0.4 per TWh. }}</ref> Paul Gipe's estimate as of end 2000 was 0.15 deaths per TWh, a decline attributed to greater total cumulative generation. By comparison, hydroelectric power was found to have a fatality rate of 0.10 per TWh (883 fatalities for every TW·yr) in the period 1969–1996.<ref>Severe Accidents in the Energy Sector, Paul Scherrer Institut, 2001. {{cite web | url= http://www.uic.com.au/ne6.htm | title= Chap. 6.: External Costs — Environment, Health and Safety Issues |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= 2003 |month= |format= | work= Nuclear Electricity | publisher= Uranium Information Centre Ltd. |pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= | accessdate= 2008-02-13}} </ref> This includes the [[Banqiao Dam]] collapse in 1975 that killed thousands. Although the wind power death rate is higher than some other power sources, the numbers are necessarily based on a small [[sample size]]. The apparent trend is a reduction in fatalities per TWh generated as more generation is supplied by larger units. === Aesthetics === Historical experience of noisy and visually intrusive wind turbines may create resistance to the establishment of land-based wind farms. Residents near turbines may complain of "shadow flicker" caused by rotating turbine blades. Wind towers require [[aircraft warning lights]], which create bothersome [[light pollution]]. Complaints about these lights have caused the [[FAA]] to consider allowing fewer lights per turbine in certain areas.<ref> {{cite web | url= http://starbulletin.com/2006/05/20/news/story06.html | title= "Wind turbine lights have opponents seeing sparks" | author= Rod Thompson | date= [[May 20]], [[2006]] |publisher= ''[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]]'' | pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= | accessdate= 2008-01-15 }} </ref> [[Image:Campo de Criptana Molinos de Viento 1.jpg|thumb|[[Windmill]]s at [[La Mancha]], [[Spain]], made famous by the 1605 novel ''[[Don Quixote]]'', are a national treasure.]] These effects may be countered by changes in wind farm design. Modern large turbines have low sound levels at ground level. For example, in December 2006, a Texas jury denied a noise pollution suit against FPL Energy, after the company demonstrated that noise readings were not excessive. The highest reading was 44 decibels, which was characterized as about the same level as a 10 mile/hour (16 km/hr) wind.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://media.cleantech.com/node/509 | title= "Wind energy scores major legal victory in U.S." | author= Dana Childs | date= [[December 20]], [[2006]] |publisher= | pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= | accessdate= 2008-01-15 }} </ref> [[Image:Magrath-Wind-Farm-Szmurlo.jpg|thumb|[[Wind turbine]]s at Magrath, [[Alberta]], [[Canada]].]] Newer wind farms have larger, more widely spaced turbines, and so look less cluttered than old installations. Aesthetic issues are important for onshore and near-shore locations in that the "visible footprint" may be extremely large compared to other sources of industrial power (which may be sited in industrially developed areas). Wind farms may be close to scenic or otherwise undeveloped areas. Constructing offshore wind developments at least 10 km from shore may reduce this concern. === Examples of opposition to wind power === * June 29, 2003 - after the [[Cape Wind]] project was proposed several miles off the coast of [[Cape Cod]], some environmentalists raised objections, as did U.S. Senator [[Ted Kennedy]] who owns a summer home in the area.<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/06/26/sunday/main560595.shtml Opposition to Cape Cod wind farms].</ref> * On [[October 16]], [[2003]] in [[Galway]], [[Ireland]], construction of the foundation of a wind farm caused almost half a square kilometer of bog to slide 2.5 kilometers down a hillside. The slide destroyed an unoccupied farmhouse and blocked two roads. Nearby residents expressed concern over these environmental impacts.<ref>[http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19125591.600 Land slide in Galway, Ireland during wind farm construction].</ref> * On [[January 12]], [[2004]], it was reported that the Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit against wind farm owners for killing tens of thousands of birds at the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area near San Francisco, California.<ref>[http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/birdkills1-12-04.htm LAWSUIT SEEKS REDRESS FOR MASSIVE ILLEGAL BIRD KILLS AT ALTAMONT PASS, CA, WIND FARMS], Center for Biological Diversity, January 12, 2004</ref> * On [[December 4]], [[2007]], environmentalists filed lawsuits to block two proposed wind farms in southern [[Texas]]. The lawsuits expressed concerns over [[wetlands]], habitat, endangered species and migratory birds.<ref>[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/business/5351615.html Texas lawsuit to block south Texas wind farms].</ref> * On [[December 7]], [[2007]], it was reported that environmentalists opposed a plan to build a wind farm in western Maryland <ref> [http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20071207/METRO/112070069/1004 O'Malley weighs western windmills; The Washington Times].</ref> * On [[February 4]], [[2008]], according to [[British Ministry of Defence]] turbines create a hole in radar coverage so that aircraft flying overhead are not detectable. In written evidence, Squadron Leader Chris Breedon said: "This obscuration occurs regardless of the height of the aircraft, of the radar and of the turbine."<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article3300814.ece Wind farms 'a threat to national security'; The Times]</ref> * A [[February 21]], [[2008]] article in [[Scoop (news website)|Scoop]] reported on environmentalist opposition to a proposed wind farm in [[New Zealand]]. <ref>[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0802/S00224.htm Bush ecosystems threatened by huge wind farm] Scoop, February 21, 2008</ref> * An [[April 16]], [[2008]] article in the [[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] said that three different environmental organizations had raised objections to a proposed wind farm at Shaffer Mountain in northeastern [[Somerset County, Pennsylvania]], because the wind farm would be a threat to the [[Indiana bat]], which is listed as an [[endangered species]]. <ref>[http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08107/873664-113.stm Saying wind power plan endangers bat, groups notify company of intent to sue] Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 16, 2008</ref> == See also == {{portal|Energy}} {{Portalpar|Sustainable development|Sustainable development.svg}} {{commons}} * [[Airborne wind turbine]] * [[Distributed Energy Resources]] * [[Energy development]] * [[Green energy]] * [[Green tax shift]] * [[Grid energy storage]] * [[List of countries by renewable electricity production]] * [[List of large wind farms]] * [[List of offshore wind farms]] * [[List of wind turbine manufacturers]] * [[Merchant Wind Power]] * Microeolic generator: [[Philippe Starck]]. * [[Renewable energy]] * [[SkySails]] * [[Vaneless ion wind generator]] * [[Wind profile power law]] * [[Wind-Diesel Hybrid Power Systems|Wind-Diesel]] * The [[Windbelt]], a non-turbine approach to tapping wind power * [[World energy resources and consumption]] * [[:Category:Wind power by country]] == References == {{reflist|2}} == Wind power projects == * [http://www.awea.org/projects/ Database of projects throughout the United States] * [http://www.thewindpower.net/index_en.php Database of projects throughout the whole World] * [http://www.offshorewind.net Database of offshore wind projects in North America] * [http://www.windpowerhandbook.com/ Wind Project Community Organizing] - This free website includes dozens of current articles, links and resources about windpower, problem issues, community programs, case studies, lesson plans, etc. * [[Altamont Pass]] * [[Cape Wind]] ([[Massachusetts]]) * [[Gharo Wind Power Plant]] in [[Pakistan]] * [[Wind power in Denmark]] * [[Wind power in Spain]] * [[Wind power in Germany]] * [[Wind power in Australia]] * [[Wind power in the United Kingdom]] * [[Wind power in the United States]] * [[Wind power in Canada]] * [[Renewable energy in Scotland]] <!-- ==External links== --> <!-- Discuss new proposed links on talk page first. --> <!-- See [[Wikipedia:External links]] and [[Wikipedia:Spam]] for details --> {{Wind power}} {{Renewable energy by country}} [[Category:Renewable energy]] {{Link FA|vi}} [[af:Windenergie]] [[ar:طاقة ريحية]] [[be:Энергія ветру]] [[be-x-old:Энергія ветру]] [[ca:Energia eòlica]] [[cs:Větrná energie]] [[cy:Egni gwynt]] [[da:Vindenergi]] [[de:Windenergie]] [[et:Tuuleenergia]] [[el:Αιολική ενέργεια]] [[es:Energía eólica]] [[eo:Ventoenergio]] [[eu:Energia eoliko]] [[fa:انرژی بادی]] [[fr:Énergie éolienne]] [[gd:Cumhachd na Gaoithe]] [[gl:Enerxía eólica]] [[id:Tenaga angin]] [[is:Vindorka]] [[it:Energia eolica]] [[he:אנרגיית רוח]] [[lv:Vēja enerģija]] [[lt:Vėjo energija]] [[hu:Szélenergia]] [[nl:Windenergie]] [[ja:風力発電]] [[no:Vindkraft]] [[nn:Vindkraft]] [[pl:Energia wiatru]] [[pt:Energia eólica]] [[ro:Energie eoliană]] [[ru:Ветроэнергетика]] [[sk:Veterná energia]] [[sl:Vetrna energija]] [[sh:Energija vjetra]] [[fi:Tuulivoima]] [[sv:Vindkraft]] [[th:พลังงานลม]] [[vi:Năng lượng gió]] [[tr:Rüzgâr enerjisi]] [[uk:Вітроенергетика]] [[bat-smg:Viejė energėjė]] [[zh:風能]]