Dissertation- Effect of wind turbines on aviation

[Mike91]

Hi,

I'm an environmental geography student about to start my Dissertation. I'm interested in looking at the effects of Wind turbines on aviation, the issues from clutter on ATC radar screens to the problems they may cause GA pilots, or even commercial. With Scotland aiming for 100% renewable energy by 2050 can we keep building more wind turbines, or should we look into investing more time and money into other renewable? I'm interested in speaking to pilots, and ATC to get an idea of what problems, if any they have found from them.

Thanks
Mike91

[Genghis the Engineer]

Mike,

I imagine a few of us would be happy to offer informed opinions, but for your purposes you need a few attributable quotes. So, I suggest making an email address available.

Technically, PPrune doesn't allow posts like yours above. Personally I think it's a great dissertation topic - if you promise to post your dissertation somewhere we can all read once you're done, I promise as moderator to leave it up and if required fight your corner.

G

[Mike91]

G,

Thanks very much! I'll look edit my post, would be great to hear from people,

Thanks again.

[Raiz]

Mike 91

Good dissertation topic - I wish you well.

I have some involvement with a company called Aveillant (Aveillant | A Leap Forward in Radar Technology (http://www.aveillant.com)), which has a new type of radar, that can tell the difference between turbines and aircraft - so solving the problem that you mention. Until they are installed at all the airports, here is a bit more about the problem.

I've been told that 74% of UK onshore wind farm planning applications are being blocked due to aviation concerns and that there is more onshore generating capacity held up in the planning system than there is operating. I believe these figures came from RenewableUK (RenewableUK - The UK's leading renewable energy association - (formerly named BWEA) (http://www.bwea.com/)), which would be a good place to look for your project.

The basic problem is that when a turbine and an aircraft have approximately the same slant range and azimuth from the radar station, they appear as one "blob" on the radar screen. This is manageable for individual turbines but, as the number and density of turbines increase, the potential for aircraft to be "hiding" above turbines gets worse and safeguarding becomes more difficult.

The problem is less severe when all the aircraft under the control of an Air Traffic Control Officer (ATCO) are known to carry altitude reporting transponders, as these allow the aircraft's altitude to be displayed on the screen, differentiating them from turbines. This is typically the high altitude en route situation.

The problem is more severe when non-transpoder aircraft can be present at the same slant range (even if not at the same altitude). This situation is more typical of the area around airports, which is where you will find the greatest problems.

Transponder Mandatory Zones (TMZs) have been created above some wind farms, to prevent non-transponder aircraft but they are unpopular with the operators of non-transponder aircraft, which includes many microlights, gliders and vintage aircraft.

Another place with relevant information is the Wind Farms and Radar group on LinkedIn. It's members only but, if you tell them what you're doing, I'm sure they'll let you join.

Good luck

Raiz

[Maoraigh1]

CAP764, a PDF downloadable from caa.gov has information and references to publications which you can get free access to through your academic institute.
Go to caa.gov and put CAP764 in the search box.

[TURIN]

Have a word with the BHPA (British Hang-gliding & Paragliding Association). They did some work on this a few years ago to see what effect wind turbines would have on the sport.

[Mike91]

Thankyou all for your help so far. If you or anyone else you know, that may was to discuss this topic, would like to further help I'd appreciate your own person view on the matter. My email address is:

[email protected]

I'd be more than happy to make my dissertation available to those who may wish to read it, when I eventually finish it, and hopfully pass!:ok:

[Mike91]

Raiz,

Thankyou very much for your information. It is a great help.

Thanks,
Mike