Wind turbines hurt
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Wind turbines hurt
It's not just us flying humans who have to worry about wind turbines cropping up everywhere; let's spare a thought for this little feathered friend (fast forward to 1:40, if you're in a hurry):
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Man-made structure/technology
Associated bird deaths per year (U.S.)
Feral and domestic cats
Hundreds of millions [source: AWEA]
Power lines
130 million -- 174 million [source: AWEA]
Windows (residential and commercial)
100 million -- 1 billion [source: TreeHugger]
Pesticides
70 million [source: AWEA]
Automobiles
60 million -- 80 million [source: AWEA]
Lighted communication towers
40 million -- 50 million [source: AWEA]
Wind turbines
10,000 -- 40,000 [source: ABC]
Associated bird deaths per year (U.S.)
Feral and domestic cats
Hundreds of millions [source: AWEA]
Power lines
130 million -- 174 million [source: AWEA]
Windows (residential and commercial)
100 million -- 1 billion [source: TreeHugger]
Pesticides
70 million [source: AWEA]
Automobiles
60 million -- 80 million [source: AWEA]
Lighted communication towers
40 million -- 50 million [source: AWEA]
Wind turbines
10,000 -- 40,000 [source: ABC]
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Sternone.
Are there that many birds anyway? If 1 Billion have died? Just from hitting a stationary window? ~150 million die on power lines? They must be Big Birds to get the live and ground as well, all 150 million?
When I see Treehugger stats quoted I begin to smell a rat.......
I should have added that so called "Renewables" especially Wind Turbines are almost useless forms of power generation. Grossly inefficient, blots on any landscape, hugely supported by massive taxpayers money grants, short life span without serious and expensive maintenance and Green Euro countries are wishing they hadn't thrown so much money away as recent reports from Germany Denmark and others prove.
"This is underlined by an analysis of maintenance records, which shows that while service teams for offshore wind farms are supposed to make two scheduled maintenance visits every year, unscheduled visits to many installations are made 20 times a year."
"The classic example of this is the disaster at the Horns Rev wind farm in 2005, following which Vestas is reported to have removed and repaired 80 of its V90 models, designed for offshore use, owing to the effect of salty water and air on the generators and gearboxes, which became corrupt after only two years. A similar procedure has been reported this year, with Vestas' 30 turbines requiring a change of rotor bearings, at an estimated cost of €30m."
Renewable Energy Focus - How can the offshore wind industry overcome O&M obstacles?
The last line of which say it all.......
"What should particularly concentrate minds in the offshore wind industry is the clear message that without collaboration, the offshore wind industry will not mature or progress."
Are there that many birds anyway? If 1 Billion have died? Just from hitting a stationary window? ~150 million die on power lines? They must be Big Birds to get the live and ground as well, all 150 million?
When I see Treehugger stats quoted I begin to smell a rat.......
I should have added that so called "Renewables" especially Wind Turbines are almost useless forms of power generation. Grossly inefficient, blots on any landscape, hugely supported by massive taxpayers money grants, short life span without serious and expensive maintenance and Green Euro countries are wishing they hadn't thrown so much money away as recent reports from Germany Denmark and others prove.
"This is underlined by an analysis of maintenance records, which shows that while service teams for offshore wind farms are supposed to make two scheduled maintenance visits every year, unscheduled visits to many installations are made 20 times a year."
"The classic example of this is the disaster at the Horns Rev wind farm in 2005, following which Vestas is reported to have removed and repaired 80 of its V90 models, designed for offshore use, owing to the effect of salty water and air on the generators and gearboxes, which became corrupt after only two years. A similar procedure has been reported this year, with Vestas' 30 turbines requiring a change of rotor bearings, at an estimated cost of €30m."
Renewable Energy Focus - How can the offshore wind industry overcome O&M obstacles?
The last line of which say it all.......
"What should particularly concentrate minds in the offshore wind industry is the clear message that without collaboration, the offshore wind industry will not mature or progress."
Last edited by aviate1138; 12th Nov 2009 at 11:06. Reason: Extra thoughts
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Yes, these numbers are strange, I have no idea how many birds there are. I know that there are around 10,000 living species, making them the most numerous tetrapod vertebrates. Not many people know that.
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We live to learn........
Anyway, I've seen a couple of dead eagles in wind parks myself, although never witnessed the strike as in this - sad - video.
Interestingly, all the new installations in southern Spain now have strobe lights on them, active 24/7. Not sure if the vultures and eagles (of which there are many) understand that as a warning...
Anyway, I've seen a couple of dead eagles in wind parks myself, although never witnessed the strike as in this - sad - video.
Interestingly, all the new installations in southern Spain now have strobe lights on them, active 24/7. Not sure if the vultures and eagles (of which there are many) understand that as a warning...
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Actually, in Spain one of Europe's biggest (perhaps THE biggest) sits right in the main migratory route to Africa, with several more ringing protected areas.
Now, as for the V airways, need to have a word with Cpt. Vulture....
Now, as for the V airways, need to have a word with Cpt. Vulture....
I should have added that so called "Renewables" especially Wind Turbines are almost useless forms of power generation.
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Wind Turbines are almost useless forms of power generation.
Imagine how much money they would have saved had they gave it up 100 years ago.
W
I would not argue your point, worrab. However I do think the technology will improve for having a real go at it. Time will tell.
-- IFMU
-- IFMU
