Wind Watch: 2025

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“We feel strongly that industrial wind is a false solution to climate change, and remain committed to defending Maine’s mountain forests as a carbon-sink and as habitat for rare and endangered species.” —Jessie Dowling, Maine Earth First

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=37

Wake-induced variations in noise levels and amplitude modulation for two interacting wind turbines

[Abstract] The influence of turbine–turbine interactions on sound propagation is investigated using numerical simulations. Three configurations are examined: turbines aligned downstream of each other, placed side by side, and arranged in a staggered pattern. The simulation framework combines large-eddy simulations for aerodynamic interactions, an aeroacoustic source model to simulate turbine sound emission, and parabolic equation methods for sound propagation. When a second turbine is positioned directly downstream, wake-induced flow focusing enhances sound pressure levels (SPL) and amplitude modulation (AM) by . . .

https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/wake-induced-variations-in-noise-levels-and-amplitude-modulation-for-two-interacting-wind-turbines/

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“The cumulative impacts on bat populations from proposed and/or constructed wind farm developments, especially in the eastern United States, may lead to further population declines, placing multiple bat populations at serious risk of extinction.” —Thomas Kunz, Director, Center for Ecology and Conservation Biology, Boston University

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=190

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“Grid-integration measures for variable supply, such as the stand-by operation of fossil fuel power plants, grid expansion, demand-response and energy storage, result in extra resource requirements and environmental impacts.” —Edgar Hertwich et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Oct. 6, 2014

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=93

Impacts of wind turbines on the endangered Southern Brolga #AUS

Managing the biodiversity impacts of renewable energy – Victoria Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action: Submission 24 Inquiry into Community Consultation Practices – Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee, Parliament of Victoria: Submission 115 Select Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy – Senate of Victoria: Submission 30 Summary: The Victorian government and its environment department, DEECA, are preparing to act against the interests of the Brolga by narrowing wetland buffers and reducing other protection standards. The . . .

https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/impacts-of-wind-turbines-on-the-endangered-southern-brolga/

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“Don’t get the idea that I’ve turned green. My business is making money, and I think this is going to make a lot of money.” —T. Boone Pickens, The Guardian (U.K.), Apr. 14, 2008

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=123

Impacts of wind turbines on the endangered Southern Brolga #AUS

Characteristic noise of offshore wind turbine impacts the behavior and muscle physiology of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus #CHN

Abstract: Sea cucumbers play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance through their unique behaviors and physiological functions. However, the noise from offshore wind turbines disrupts the habitat environment of the sea cucumber, potentially altering their behavior and physiology. Nevertheless, limited research exists on how noise from offshore wind turbines affects the sea cucumbers. In our study, we explored the effects of specific wind turbine noise frequencies on the behavior and muscle metabolism of sea cucumbers through four experimental groups: . . .

https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/characteristic-noise-of-offshore-wind-turbine-impacts-the-behavior-and-muscle-physiology-of-sea-cucumber-apostichopus-japonicus/

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“Energy projects in Irasburg must proceed based on the principles of respect for the environment, sound economics and regard for community values. Because industrial-scale wind turbines on the town’s ridgelines do not meet all of these criteria, the town of Irasburg opposes their development.” —David Warner, Selectboard Chair, Irasburg, Vt.

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=198

Sea surface warming and ocean-to-atmosphere feedback driven by large-scale offshore wind farms under seasonally stratified conditions #USA

Abstract: Offshore wind farms may induce changes in the upper ocean and near-surface atmosphere through coupled ocean-atmosphere feedbacks. Yet, the role of air-sea interactions mediated by offshore wind farms remains poorly understood. Using fully coupled ocean-atmosphere-wave model simulations for seasonally stratified conditions along the US East Coast, we show that simulated cumulative reductions in wind stress due to large-scale wind farm clusters lead to sea surface warming of 0.3° to 0.4°C and a shallower mixed layer. This warming drives upward . . .

https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/sea-surface-warming-and-ocean-to-atmosphere-feedback-driven-by-large-scale-offshore-wind-farms-under-seasonally-stratified-conditions/

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“If people tell the public service commission they want all-renewable energy, then we’ll give them that, but not before we warn them that it’s going to cost an arm and a leg.” —Duane Schrader, Louisville Gas & Electric trading manager, “Power Switch,” Carleton College Voice, Fall 2018

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=57

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“Wind farms impact local residences and wildlife through sound emissions, shadow flicker, visual impact, and encroachment on the habitats of birds, bats, and other species.” —Jonathan Rogers, “Optimal strategies for wind turbine environmental curtailment”, Wind Energy, Feb. 12, 2020

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=19

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“A solution that is meant to solve one problem by creating other problems is not a real solution. Certainly so when the potential of wind energy in Israel is relatively negligible compared to the potential for harm to nature, which is high.” —Tamar Zandberg, Environmental Protection Minister, Israel

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=6

Minimizing aviation lighting duration reduces bat attraction to wind turbines #DEU

Abstract: Wind turbines negatively affect bats through mortality, which can be exacerbated by attraction behaviours, and loss of habitat use caused by avoidance behaviours. However, potential mechanisms driving bat responses to wind turbines are still poorly understood. This is especially true of red aviation lighting, designed to prevent aircraft collisions and implemented in many countries, that could be perceived by bats from a long distance and lead to a response at a large spatial scale. We assessed the role of . . .

https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/minimizing-aviation-lighting-duration-reduces-bat-attraction-to-wind-turbines/

Theoretical upper limit for offshore wind energy extraction

[Abstract] Offshore wind energy is key to energy transition, but its true potential is often overstated. As wind farms become larger and denser, they change the atmospheric boundary layer, reaching up to the strong geostrophic winds a few kilometers above the surface. Energy extraction depends on the vertical transfer of momentum from these high-altitude winds down to the turbines, which sets a physical ceiling on how much energy can harvested. A closed-form analytical model, validated against more than 420 years . . .

https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/theoretical-upper-limit-for-offshore-wind-energy-extraction/

Capitalisation of onshore wind turbines on property prices in Sweden: The need to compensate for negative externalities #SWE

Abstract: Due to, for example, disturbing sound and deteriorated scenery, wind turbines might constitute a negative externality. By using a revealed preference method, we examine the impact of onshore wind turbines on property values in Sweden, analysing over 600,000 real estate transactions from 2005 to 2018. We find that wind turbines are built in areas with lower prices in general (as they are built outside population centres), that property values start declining when a building process is started (due to . . .

https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/capitalisation-of-onshore-wind-turbines-on-property-prices-in-sweden-the-need-to-compensate-for-negative-externalities/

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“My family and my self’s lives have been completely devastated and turned upside down by the erection of 27 giant wind monsters in every direction from our home by the Wind Capital Group and Tom Carnahan, as close as 1500 feet from our home. They surround us. They keep us from sleeping at night and drive us crazy by day, as I try to care for our World Class AQHA and APHA horses. They’ve ruined the equity in our farm that took us 15 hard years to create. They’ve ruined the marketability of our farm, not that we ever even considered selling, or moving. Now we have no choice. We just bought a house in town, and will be, regrettably, abandoning our precious home.” —Charlie Porter, King City, Missouri

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=77

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“Franchement, quand je survole certains pays européens [les éoliennes] ne donne pas envie. (Frankly, when I fly over some European countries, their turbines don’t fill me with envy.)” —Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France, Oct. 25, 2007

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=107

Minimizing aviation lighting duration reduces bat attraction to wind turbines #DEU

Theoretical upper limit for offshore wind energy extraction

Capitalisation of onshore wind turbines on property prices in Sweden: The need to compensate for negative externalities #SWE

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“We would ask the Governor how he expects the 4th smallest town, in the 49th smallest state, to advocate for ourselves, against a multi-national corporation with more than 40 billion dollars in revenue.” —Mary Boyer, Selectboard Chair, Windham, Vt., July 11, 2012

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=61

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“It is time to give serious consideration to the possibility that the “greater good” to be had from grid-connected wind farms is not only minimal, but that it is indeed likely to be non-existent.” —Paul Miskelly, Acoustics Australia, August 2013

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=51

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“It has been said that with all power comes sacrifice and problems. The problem is, my family and other families are the sacrifice.” —Luann Therrien, Apr. 24, 2013, testimony to Vt. Senate Committee for Health and Welfare

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=78

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“The larger the share of wind power in a particular grid, the more standby power will have to be available in that grid.” —World Wind Energy Association

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=232

Wake-induced variations in noise levels and amplitude modulation for two interacting wind turbines

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“It’s not a question of doing the best thing for the environment — the best thing for the environment is for people to stop using vast amounts of energy.” —Mike Hulme, Windfarm Wars, BBC2

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=59

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“And all over the countryside, he knew, on every crest and hill, where once the hedges had interlaced, and cottages, churches, inns, and farmhouses had nestled among their trees, wind wheels ... like vast advertisements, gaunt and distinctive symbols of the new age, cast their whirling shadows and stored incessantly the energy that flowed away incessantly through all the arteries of the city. ... The great circular shapes of complaining wind-wheels blotted out the heavens ...” —H.G. Wells, “A Story of the Days To Come” (1897)

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=85

Wake-induced variations in noise levels and amplitude modulation for two interacting wind turbines

Erfassung der nordwestlichen deutschen AWZ im Herbst #DEU

[Bird and marine mammal surveys in German North Sea zones designated for offshore windpower development – The survey flights (September 9 and 29, 2025) were carried out by the umbrella organization of German avifaunists (DDA) as part of the marine biodiversity monitoring of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN).] Die Flüge wurden vom Dachverband Deutscher Avifaunisten e.V. (DDA) im Rahmen des Marinen Biodiversitätsmonitorings des Bundesamtes für Naturschutz (BfN) durchgeführt. Bericht: Volker Dierschke, Kai Borkenhagen Bedingungen / Weter: 9.9. Wenig Wind . . .

https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/erfassung-der-nordwestlichen-deutschen-awz-im-herbst/

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“Wind and solar generation require at least 10 times as much land per unit of power produced than coal- or natural gas–fired power plants, including land disturbed to produce and transport the fossil fuels [and not including land disturbed to produce and transport materials to manufacture and maintain wind and solar facilities —NWW].” —Samantha Gross, Brookings Institution, Renewables, land use, and local opposition in the United States

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=187

Characteristic noise of offshore wind turbine impacts the behavior and muscle physiology of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus #CHN

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“If it’s all in the name of saving the planet then you’d think they’d try and look after the bits that’s left, but they've done the exact opposite.” —Marvin Hutchinson, The Shetland Times, July 5, 2024

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=7

Sea surface warming and ocean-to-atmosphere feedback driven by large-scale offshore wind farms under seasonally stratified conditions #USA

Wind turbine noise annoyance – an interdisciplinary three-year field study #DEU

Abstract: Concerns have been raised about the effects of wind turbine (WT) sounds on the well-being of residents. Based on stress psychological models noise annoyance is an indicator connected to well-being. Still there is a lack of interdisciplinary studies observing the impact of noise annoyance on residents over an extended time frame. To understand annoying situations more precisely than previously possible, in a three-year investigation, we analyzed annoyance reports by residents with simultaneous measurements of acoustics, ground motions as well . . .

https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/wind-turbine-noise-annoyance-an-interdisciplinary-three-year-field-study/

Anthropogenic noise triggers mortality and molecular stress in the copper-blooded marine invertebrate: The horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus)

Highlights: Noise causes dose-dependent mortality and behavioral changes in Tachypleus tridentatus. Acoustic stress induces oxidative damage and disrupts antioxidant defenses. Heat shock proteins and stress pathways activate under noise exposure. α-Actinin is a stable reference gene for gene expression studies under noise stress. This study reveals underwater noise as a significant emerging pollutant threatening horseshoe crab survival and health. Abstract: The rapid expansion of offshore wind farms to meet clean energy demands has raised concerns about the effects of anthropogenic . . .

https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/anthropogenic-noise-triggers-mortality-and-molecular-stress-in-the-copper-blooded-marine-invertebrate-the-horseshoe-crab-tachypleus-tridentatus/

Wind energy is not sustainable when balanced by fossil energy #IRL

Highlights: Life-cycle analyses of wind in grids have many significant shortcomings today. Wind displaces far less emissions than typically assessed today. Wind does reduce emissions but insufficiently to qualify as sustainable. Policy must focus on developing low carbon dispatchable energy sources. Policy must focus on systemic sustainability and less on renewable energy per se. Abstract: Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all is one of the Sustainable Development Goals. Some countries have therefore invested significantly in . . .

https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/wind-energy-is-not-sustainable-when-balanced-by-fossil-energy/

Characteristic noise of offshore wind turbine impacts the behavior and muscle physiology of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus #CHN

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“We are unaware, in making their decision, how many of the planners live within 500 metres of a wind farm, as we do. What we can attest to is that in the year in which we have been living next to the erection and the commission of two turbines, the noise pollution is almost constant. When the wind is coming towards us, we cannot open our bedroom window at night without hearing the constant thump or stand at the kitchen window without seeing the blades spinning.” —Niall Williams & Christine Breen, Co. Clare, Ireland, Oct. 22, 2020

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=18

Sea surface warming and ocean-to-atmosphere feedback driven by large-scale offshore wind farms under seasonally stratified conditions #USA

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“There is a growing body of evidence to suggest there may be adverse health effects associated with the noise generated by wind farms.” —David Sellars, Director of Environmental Health, Queensland Health, The Australian, May 29, 2012

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=73

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“Symbolism aside, Mt. Equinox (Vt.) may not be as impressive as Yosemite’s El Capitan or the Grand Tetons, but something very real would be sacrificed on the questionable altar of Renewable Energy For Profit. Mt. Equinox and all of our mountains are not just a ‘back yard.’ They are a heritage and a legacy. And they are as good a place as any to make a stand.” —Mark Walsh, Manchester (Vt.) Journal, Dec. 30, 2005

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=211

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“The cost of wind isn’t just the wind generator, it’s wind plus gas so you have the capacity there when you need it.” —Dan Dasho, Cloverland Electric Cooperative, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Interlochen Public Radio, April 3, 2015

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=13

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“How can the industrialisation of water catchment areas, once protected by law, be regarded as suitable? ” —Rachel Connor, Aug. 27, 2014, letter to Ken MacIntosh MSP

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=36

Varför ökar äggmortaliteten i närheten av en ny vindkraftsanläggning? #SWE

[Why does egg mortality increase near a new wind farm?] Summary: In Sweden, 2 million eggs are produced annually, and keeping chickens for personal use is very popular. In addition to domestic chickens, there is still a rich fauna of forest chickens in the country. On a farm in Småland, a significant increase in egg mortality has been observed since a new wind power plant was put into operation within 1000 meters of the farm. This phenomenon is worrying since . . .

https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/varfor-okar-aggmortaliteten-i-narheten-av-en-ny-vindkraftsanlaggning/

Efficient finite difference modeling of infrasound propagation in realistic 3D domains: Validation with wind turbine measurements #SWE

ABSTRACT: We present a high-fidelity simulation tool for accurate acoustic modeling across a wide range of applications. The numerical method is based on diagonal-norm Summation-By-Parts (SBP) finite-difference operators, which guarantee linear stability on piecewise curvilinear multi-block grids. Realistic three-dimensional atmospheric and topographic data are directly incorporated into the simulations, and the solver is implemented in CUDA to achieve high computational efficiency. Verification is performed through convergence studies against highly resolved benchmark problems in both two and three spatial dimensions, while . . .

https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/efficient-finite-difference-modeling-of-infrasound-propagation-in-realistic-3d-domains-validation-with-wind-turbine-measurements/

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“One thing is clear: The environmental community must view wind power projects as they would any other type of industrial development. ” —Martha Frey, Executive Director, Otsego (N.Y.) 2000

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=236

Wind of Change: Mapping Wind Energy Growth and Multi-Species Vulnerability in Sardinia, Mediterranean #ITA

ABSTRACT: The rapid expansion of wind energy across the Mediterranean region calls for more advanced tools to assess and mitigate its impacts on biodiversity. In this study, we present an innovative approach combining 13-year satellite imagery analysis and ecological modelling to assess the spatiotemporal overlap between wind energy development and habitat suitability for multiple vulnerable raptor species. We reconstructed a spatio-temporal trajectory of wind turbine distribution using high-resolution satellite images, meaning we quantified how and where turbines were installed over . . .

https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/wind-of-change-mapping-wind-energy-growth-and-multi-species-vulnerability-in-sardinia-mediterranean/

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“We couldn’t believe that anybody would put something up that could make such a noise, that they would be allowed to do that.” —Jane Davis, Windfarm Wars, BBC2

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=143

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“I have never encountered a single person who said: “I used to be against wind energy. Now that I have done my homework and learned as much as I can about them, I support wind energy.” Never. Not once. On the contrary, this is a one-way street. Once you learn the facts, you can only be against wind energy — and you can never, ever be won back to the other side.” —Eric Bibler, Mass.

https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=29