Assessment of forest disturbance and soil erosion in wind farm project using satellite observations

Highlights A novel method was proposed to map forest disturbances from wind farm construction. The average forest disturbance intensity of wind farms is 4.3 ha/MW. Road construction is the primary factor causing forest disturbances. Reduced vegetation cover by wind power development exacerbates soil erosion. Abstract The construction of wind farms, involving road construction and wind turbine installation, severely disrupts natural landscapes. Wind energy expansion in global forested areas has unclear impacts on local forests and ecosystem services. Due to a lack . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/assessment-of-forest-disturbance-and-soil-erosion-in-wind-farm-project-using-satellite-observations/

Impact of wind energy on plant biomass production in China #CHN

Abstract— Global wind power expansion raises concerns about its potential impact on plant biomass production (PBP). Using a high-dimensional fixed effects model, this study reveals significant PBP reduction due to wind farm construction based on 2,404 wind farms, 108,361 wind turbines, and 7,904,352 PBP observations during 2000–2022 in China. Within a 1–10 km buffer, the normalized differential vegetation and enhanced vegetation indices decrease from 0.0097 to 0.0045 and 0.0075 to 0.0028, respectively. Similarly, absorbed photosynthetically active radiation and gross primary productivity . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/impact-of-wind-energy-on-plant-biomass-production-in-china/

Toward solving the global green–green dilemma between wind energy production and bat conservation

Abstract— Wind energy production is growing rapidly worldwide in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, wind energy production is not environmentally neutral. Negative impacts on volant animals, such as bats, include fatalities at turbines and habitat loss due to land-use change and displacement. Siting turbines away from ecologically sensitive areas and implementing measures to reduce fatalities are critical to protecting bat populations. Restricting turbine operations during periods of high bat activity is the most effective form of mitigation . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/toward-solving-the-global-green-green-dilemma-between-wind-energy-production-and-bat-conservation-2/

Wind energy and insects: reviewing the state of knowledge and identifying potential interactions

Abstract— In 2023 the wind industry hit a milestone of one terawatt of installed capacity globally. That amount is expected to double within the next decade as billions of dollars are invested in new wind projects annually. Wildlife mortality is a primary concern regarding the proliferation of wind power, and many studies have investigated bird and bat interactions. Little is known about the interactions between wind turbines and insects, despite these animals composing far more biomass than vertebrates. Turbine placement, . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/wind-energy-and-insects-reviewing-the-state-of-knowledge-and-identifying-potential-interactions/

Eleventh International Conference on Wind Turbine Noise

Wind Turbine Noise 2025 June 10–13, 2025 The WTN 2025 conference will be held at the Scandic Kødbyen hotel, Skelbækgade 3A, Copenhagen V. Important dates: February 2, 2025: Abstract submission deadline February 17, 2025: Abstract notification March 30, 2025: Paper deadline April 13, 2025: Paper notification WTN 2023 abstracts and papers


https://www.wind-watch.org/alerts/2024/11/24/eleventh-international-conference-on-wind-turbine-noise/

Toward solving the global green–green dilemma between wind energy production and bat conservation

Abstract— Wind energy production is growing rapidly worldwide in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, wind energy production is not environmentally neutral. Negative impacts on volant animals, such as bats, include fatalities at turbines and habitat loss due to land-use change and displacement. Siting turbines away from ecologically sensitive areas and implementing measures to reduce fatalities are critical to protecting bat populations. Restricting turbine operations during periods of high bat activity is the most effective form of mitigation . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/toward-solving-the-global-green-green-dilemma-between-wind-energy-production-and-bat-conservation-2/

Operational wind plants increase planetary boundary layer height: An observational study #OK

These findings provide strong evidence that wind plants can modify the planetary boundary layer in their surrounding area … [T]his study corroborates the hypothesis that wind plants interact with the atmosphere to affect local climatology. Abstract. As wind energy deployment grows, interactions between wind plants and the surrounding environment become more prevalent. The current investigation seeks to understand these interactions by characterizing the impact of wind plants on the planetary boundary layer height (PBLH), utilizing observations from the American WAKE ExperimeNt . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/operational-wind-plants-increase-planetary-boundary-layer-height-an-observational-study/

Operational wind plants increase planetary boundary layer height: An observational study #OK

These findings provide strong evidence that wind plants can modify the planetary boundary layer in their surrounding area … [T]his study corroborates the hypothesis that wind plants interact with the atmosphere to affect local climatology. Abstract. As wind energy deployment grows, interactions between wind plants and the surrounding environment become more prevalent. The current investigation seeks to understand these interactions by characterizing the impact of wind plants on the planetary boundary layer height (PBLH), utilizing observations from the American WAKE ExperimeNt . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/operational-wind-plants-increase-planetary-boundary-layer-height-an-observational-study/

Systematic assessment of the achieved emission reductions of carbon crediting projects

Abstract— Carbon markets play an important role in firms’ and governments’ climate strategies. Carbon crediting mechanisms allow project developers to earn carbon credits through mitigation projects. Several studies have raised concerns about environmental integrity, though a systematic evaluation is missing. We synthesized studies relying on experimental or rigorous observational methods, covering 14 studies on 2346 carbon mitigation projects and 51 studies investigating similar field interventions implemented without issuing carbon credits. The analysis covers one-fifth of the credit volume issued to . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/systematic-assessment-of-the-achieved-emission-reductions-of-carbon-crediting-projects/

U.S energy consumption by source and sector flow diagrams, 2023 #USA

Another version: Breakdown of renewables: Wind energy represented 18% of the energy (not just electricity) produced by renewables, or 1.5 quadrillion BTU. 1 quad = 293 TWh, so 1.5 quads = 439.5 TWh. Total electricity production was 32.09 quads, or 9,402 TWh. Line loss took away 0.61 quads, or 179 TWh, of that. Source:  Monthly Energy Review, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/u-s-energy-consumption-by-source-and-sector-flow-diagrams-2023/

NO WIND TURBINES

No wind turbines - graphic from several counties in Oklahoma


https://www.wind-watch.org/pix/displayimage.php?pid=1034

Offshore Wind Impacts and Consequences #USA

Offshore wind turbines exceed 1000 ft. in total height. Many lease areas are owned by foreign wind companies, foreign pension plans and global investment firms. East Coast Projects • Vineyard Wind: jointly owned by a Danish infrastructure company and a Spanish utility. • Revolution Wind: partially owned by a Danish multinational energy company • Empire Wind: owned by Equinor Wind, a Norwegian company West Coast Projects: • Equinor/Atlas Wind: Norwegian company, partially owned by British Petroleum • Golden State/Central California . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/offshore-wind-impacts-and-consequences/

Performance of Wind Farms in the United Kingdom and Denmark #DNK #GBR

Executive Summary 1. Onshore wind turbines represent a relatively mature technology, which ought to have achieved a satisfactory level of reliability in operation as plants age. Unfortunately, detailed analysis of the relationship between age and performance gives a rather different picture for both the United Kingdom and Denmark with a significant decline in the average load factor of onshore wind farms adjusted for wind availability as they get older. An even more dramatic decline is observed for offshore wind farms . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/performance-of-wind-farms-in-the-united-kingdom-and-denmark/

Systematic assessment of the achieved emission reductions of carbon crediting projects

Abstract— Carbon markets play an important role in firms’ and governments’ climate strategies. Carbon crediting mechanisms allow project developers to earn carbon credits through mitigation projects. Several studies have raised concerns about environmental integrity, though a systematic evaluation is missing. We synthesized studies relying on experimental or rigorous observational methods, covering 14 studies on 2346 carbon mitigation projects and 51 studies investigating similar field interventions implemented without issuing carbon credits. The analysis covers one-fifth of the credit volume issued to . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/systematic-assessment-of-the-achieved-emission-reductions-of-carbon-crediting-projects/

Assessment of forest disturbance and soil erosion in wind farm project using satellite observations

Highlights A novel method was proposed to map forest disturbances from wind farm construction. The average forest disturbance intensity of wind farms is 4.3 ha/MW. Road construction is the primary factor causing forest disturbances. Reduced vegetation cover by wind power development exacerbates soil erosion. Abstract The construction of wind farms, involving road construction and wind turbine installation, severely disrupts natural landscapes. Wind energy expansion in global forested areas has unclear impacts on local forests and ecosystem services. Due to a lack . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/assessment-of-forest-disturbance-and-soil-erosion-in-wind-farm-project-using-satellite-observations/

ILL WIND: From Amazon Forest Crimes in Ecuador to Wind Turbines in the U.S. and China #CHN #USA

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) built upon existing reporting and conducted an unprecedented multi-year ground-truthing investigation that connects the dots between the illegal logging and human rights violations reported in the Ecuadorian and Peruvian Amazon, the insufficient due diligence by world leading wind blade manufacturers, and global energy provider giants like the recently incorporated GE Vernova. At the nexus of Amazonian ecosystems, Indigenous People’s rights, wind turbines, and major policy incentives in both China and the U.S. lies . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/ill-wind-from-amazon-forest-crimes-in-ecuador-to-wind-turbines-in-the-u-s-and-china/

Assessment of forest disturbance and soil erosion in wind farm project using satellite observations

Highlights A novel method was proposed to map forest disturbances from wind farm construction. The average forest disturbance intensity of wind farms is 4.3 ha/MW. Road construction is the primary factor causing forest disturbances. Reduced vegetation cover by wind power development exacerbates soil erosion. Abstract The construction of wind farms, involving road construction and wind turbine installation, severely disrupts natural landscapes. Wind energy expansion in global forested areas has unclear impacts on local forests and ecosystem services. Due to a lack . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/assessment-of-forest-disturbance-and-soil-erosion-in-wind-farm-project-using-satellite-observations/

Impact of wind energy on plant biomass production in China #CHN

Abstract— Global wind power expansion raises concerns about its potential impact on plant biomass production (PBP). Using a high-dimensional fixed effects model, this study reveals significant PBP reduction due to wind farm construction based on 2,404 wind farms, 108,361 wind turbines, and 7,904,352 PBP observations during 2000–2022 in China. Within a 1–10 km buffer, the normalized differential vegetation and enhanced vegetation indices decrease from 0.0097 to 0.0045 and 0.0075 to 0.0028, respectively. Similarly, absorbed photosynthetically active radiation and gross primary productivity . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/impact-of-wind-energy-on-plant-biomass-production-in-china/

Wind energy and insects: reviewing the state of knowledge and identifying potential interactions

Abstract— In 2023 the wind industry hit a milestone of one terawatt of installed capacity globally. That amount is expected to double within the next decade as billions of dollars are invested in new wind projects annually. Wildlife mortality is a primary concern regarding the proliferation of wind power, and many studies have investigated bird and bat interactions. Little is known about the interactions between wind turbines and insects, despite these animals composing far more biomass than vertebrates. Turbine placement, . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/wind-energy-and-insects-reviewing-the-state-of-knowledge-and-identifying-potential-interactions/

Impact of wind energy on plant biomass production in China #CHN

Abstract— Global wind power expansion raises concerns about its potential impact on plant biomass production (PBP). Using a high-dimensional fixed effects model, this study reveals significant PBP reduction due to wind farm construction based on 2,404 wind farms, 108,361 wind turbines, and 7,904,352 PBP observations during 2000–2022 in China. Within a 1–10 km buffer, the normalized differential vegetation and enhanced vegetation indices decrease from 0.0097 to 0.0045 and 0.0075 to 0.0028, respectively. Similarly, absorbed photosynthetically active radiation and gross primary productivity . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/impact-of-wind-energy-on-plant-biomass-production-in-china/

Wind energy and insects: reviewing the state of knowledge and identifying potential interactions

Abstract— In 2023 the wind industry hit a milestone of one terawatt of installed capacity globally. That amount is expected to double within the next decade as billions of dollars are invested in new wind projects annually. Wildlife mortality is a primary concern regarding the proliferation of wind power, and many studies have investigated bird and bat interactions. Little is known about the interactions between wind turbines and insects, despite these animals composing far more biomass than vertebrates. Turbine placement, . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/wind-energy-and-insects-reviewing-the-state-of-knowledge-and-identifying-potential-interactions/

U.S energy consumption by source and sector flow diagrams, 2023 #USA

Another version: Breakdown of renewables: Wind energy represented 18% of the energy (not just electricity) produced by renewables, or 1.5 quadrillion BTU. 1 quad = 293 TWh, so 1.5 quads = 439.5 TWh. Total electricity production was 32.09 quads, or 9,402 TWh. Line loss took away 0.61 quads, or 179 TWh, of that. Source:  Monthly Energy Review, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/u-s-energy-consumption-by-source-and-sector-flow-diagrams-2023/

The Truth About Off-Shore Wind #CA

THE IMPACT TO MARINE LIFE IS DEVASTATING. • High-decibel surveys kill and injure sea life • Offshore wind vessel traffic kills and injures marine mammals • Severe disruption of marine mammal migration, feeding and breeding • Birds killed by turbine blades • Destroys underwater habitats COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC IMPACTS • Industrialization of our towns and harbors • Significant increase in energy costs • Severe negative impact to the fishing industry • Damage to our tourism and coastal beauty • 1000-ft.-tall . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/alerts/2024/11/01/the-truth-about-off-shore-wind/

Offshore Wind Impacts and Consequences #USA

Offshore wind turbines exceed 1000 ft. in total height. Many lease areas are owned by foreign wind companies, foreign pension plans and global investment firms. East Coast Projects • Vineyard Wind: jointly owned by a Danish infrastructure company and a Spanish utility. • Revolution Wind: partially owned by a Danish multinational energy company • Empire Wind: owned by Equinor Wind, a Norwegian company West Coast Projects: • Equinor/Atlas Wind: Norwegian company, partially owned by British Petroleum • Golden State/Central California . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/offshore-wind-impacts-and-consequences/

Performance of Wind Farms in the United Kingdom and Denmark #DNK #GBR

Executive Summary 1. Onshore wind turbines represent a relatively mature technology, which ought to have achieved a satisfactory level of reliability in operation as plants age. Unfortunately, detailed analysis of the relationship between age and performance gives a rather different picture for both the United Kingdom and Denmark with a significant decline in the average load factor of onshore wind farms adjusted for wind availability as they get older. An even more dramatic decline is observed for offshore wind farms . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/performance-of-wind-farms-in-the-united-kingdom-and-denmark/

U.S energy consumption by source and sector flow diagrams, 2023 #USA

Another version: Breakdown of renewables: Wind energy represented 18% of the energy (not just electricity) produced by renewables, or 1.5 quadrillion BTU. 1 quad = 293 TWh, so 1.5 quads = 439.5 TWh. Total electricity production was 32.09 quads, or 9,402 TWh. Line loss took away 0.61 quads, or 179 TWh, of that. Source:  Monthly Energy Review, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/u-s-energy-consumption-by-source-and-sector-flow-diagrams-2023/

Economic Analysis of the Atlantic Shores South Offshore Wind Project #NJ

We the undersigned are deeply concerned with the large subsidies and rate increases supporting offshore wind development. In particular, we object to permitting Atlantic Shores to re-bid its existing contract for Offshore Renewable Energy Certificates (ORECs) pursuant to the subject solicitation. As the Board’s procedures do not permit our direct involvement in this procurement, we wish to hereby register our concerns and objections to any potential award of revised or new contracts to this contractor. Atlantic Shores has indicated that . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/economic-analysis-of-the-atlantic-shores-south-offshore-wind-project/