Idea of Small-Scale Wind Turbines Being Discussed

[lawyerlee]

This is a very cool idea! We've had a lot of controversy about putting regular wind turbines in our rural areas in my state because people did not want to ruin the natural setting and views (Yes, there are views in Kansas. ;) ). This would be an ideal way to take advantage of clean technology for energy. Further, the energy could be generated where it is needed - where people are - rather than in rural areas where need is not as great for energy.

'Micro' wind turbines are coming to town (http://news.com.com/Micro+wind+turbines+are+coming+to+town/2100-11398_3-6037539.html)
CNET News

By Martin LaMonica
Story last modified Fri Feb 10 08:00:00 PST 2006

A handful of start-ups are floating an idea that could change the face of the wind power industry.

Rather than build farms of towering wind turbines in rural areas, some companies are designing "micro," or small-scale, turbines that fit on top of buildings. The idea is to generate electricity from wind in urban or suburban settings.

"We want to integrate these small wind turbines on buildings in plain sight," said Paul Glenney, director of energy initiatives at Monrovia, Calif.-based AeroVironment. "We think this can really communicate the generation of clean electricity."

In their pitch for the technology, the companies are going beyond satisfying the growing interest in clean forms of energy. AeroVironment, Aerotecture and a handful of other businesses are marketing their turbines not just as power generators, but also as attractive additions to existing structures.

Right now, giant turbines built by the likes of GE Energy and Siemens are still the norm in the wind power industry, and on-building versions are rare.

[LyLMyssChaos]

Something like that would be great. I don't know much about using wind as an alternative energy, but if it is doable, that would be great. I just wonder what affect something like this would have on the cost of our current primary energy sources as the demand dropped?

[emmjay]

I love wind turbines! :D I know a lot of people say the big ones ruin the views, but I think the end result is worth it. It's awesome that they're making smaller ones, though! I think the unsightliness is the biggest point of opposition, so minimizing that would be great.

BTW, and completely off-topic, my libertarian husband loves wind energy. After he's had a few drinks he will talk about them for hours - it's a running joke at this point. "WINDMILLSH... it'sh all about the windmillsh..." ;)

[chrisinluv]

I think it holds great potential. I would like to see more of these than the farms, if the overall result is the same. I'm glad someone is trying to come up with a compromise in the debate about what the farms do for the natural setting.

Regarding view, I've heard more about homeowners nearby complaining about the possibility of their property values going down with turbines nearby. I have always figured that it would be a matter of getting used to it. Even when we are out in the "wilderness," the instances are few and far between that I can look around and not spot a pole, wire, fence, or some other remnant of a man-made thing. It is a sad realization, but we move on. These new turbines appear to be a step in the right direction, as it will help the environment overall rather than destroy it, plus we don't need to debate about landscape which already has a building.

[dionysia]

The proposed wind farm off the Cape Cod coast has been a big news item here.
http://www.capewind.org/

Di

[lawyerlee]

The proposed wind farm off the Cape Cod coast has been a big news item here.
http://www.capewind.org/

Di
I must say that I'm suprised to see that RFK, Jr. is opposed to the project. Clearly, I have some reading to do about this. Thanks! :)

[jp'swife]

I must say that I'm suprised to see that RFK, Jr. is opposed to the project. Clearly, I have some reading to do about this. Thanks! :)

I'm reading about it too. I like the idea of the wind farming!
I remember hearing about this issue with RFK, JR. Was this one of those, "I support this....but not in MY backyard" issues?

[lawyerlee]

I'm reading about it too. I like the idea of the wind farming!
I remember hearing about this issue with RFK, JR. Was this one of those, "I support this....but not in MY backyard" issues?
I got the sense that is what it was, but he does have more specific criticisms about the plan.

Reasons he mentions in a December 2005 NT Times Op-Ed piece:

An Ill Wind Off Cape Cod (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/16/opinion/16kennedy.html?ex=1139720400&en=d7a3e6513208a1fa&ei=5070)
by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
New York Times

* interference with commerical fishing
* disruption of whales, seals, and other wildlife
* noise
* shouldn't allow private companies this interest in public land (Nantucket Commons)
* loss of income and jobs from reduced tourism

And, of course:

* disturbing the view ;)

Cape Wind basically asserts that all of these concerns are false. So who knows what to believe. However, Cape Wind certainly stands to gain from the project, so I find it hard to just believe an off the cuff assertion, for instance, that there would be no noise disturbance from the project. How can we know that?!

Cape Wind Responds to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (http://capewind.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=109)

[ThreeYell]

I love wind energy!

Man, that's a dorky comment.

In my former life, I did some work on wind farm development. Such a clean energy source and the only real environmental downside is the impact on local wildlife, which is pretty easy to mitigate. I'd love to see it expand to urban areas.

As far as the giant turbines obstructing a view, if we keep burning coal and using petroleum, the air is going to be so thick with nastiness that we won't have to worry about the view anyway. ;)

[fuzzy]

Random, but I don't "get" the opposition to the big wind turbines. I think they're awful pudry. :o

Our electric co-op gets 75%-ish of its eletricity from windmills/wind farms. I can't comment on RFK Jr.'s assertion that it would be disruptive to marine life, but I'm all UH? about the noise claim. My husband and I actually picnic at our local wind farm. You can just sit underneath the windmill and barely hear a thing. There's a teeny tiny "whooshing" noise but honestly, those "white noise" machines that you can buy for babies/light sleepers are louder. :confused:

[lawyerlee]

My husband and I actually picnic at our local wind farm. You can just sit underneath the windmill and barely here a thing. There's a teeny tiny "whooshing" noise but honestly, those "white noise" machines that you can buy for babies/light sleepers are louder. :confused:
I guess *that's* how we can know that, then! ;) :)

[lawyerlee]

Sounds like the Cape Cod project is dead:

Committee Acts to Doom New England Wind Farm (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/08/washington/08cape.html?ex=1302148800&en=f3f8da1724943181&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss)
New York Times

[hockeybrat]

I was at the mall a few weeks ago and signed a petition to try to get an initiative on the ballot for alternative fuel (wind and or solar).

[wendalah]

DH and I frequently drive down to Palm Springs from L.A.--there's a big wind farm along the way. I always thought it was rather lovely to look at, in a weird way.