Renewable Energy Honeymoon: starting is easy, the rest is hard #CA #CHN #DNK #DEU #ESP

Executive Summary The belief that Australia can decarbonise its economy by relying on the wind and the sun rests on a misplaced conviction about what the renewables rollout will entail. The idea that our previous accomplishments should encourage further persistence depends on the presupposition that the transition to renewables benefits from gathering momentum. Advocates point to the increase in wind and solar from 1.5% of our electricity share in 2010 to around 33% today as a success, and evidence that . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/renewable-energy-honeymoon-starting-is-easy-the-rest-is-hard/

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“A variety of environmental effects, eg, hailstorms, snow, rain showers, wind gusts, icing, extreme temperatures, lightning, sea water, ultraviolet light, and sandy winds, degrade the blades of wind turbines over their working lifetimes. This degradation leads to reduction in aerodynamic efficiency and power production, eg, the degradation caused by erosion on the leading edge affects the drag and the lift. Depending on the drag increase and lift decrease, the loss of the annual energy production of wind turbines can range from 2% to 25%.” —Luis Bartolomé and Julie Teuwen, Department of Aerospace Structures and Materials, Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands — Wind Energy, September 17, 2018


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=139

Well Hidden and Distorted Costs of Renewables: A Comprehensive Comparison of Wind Power and Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Plant #USA

I. Introduction: The Critical Need for Reliable Power in an Electrified World Wind power looks cheap on paper thanks to metrics like LCOE, but making it as reliable and robust as a natural gas plant requires massive overbuilds, backups, and infrastructure—ballooning actual total system costs by 5-40 times higher. Here’s the full breakdown. Consider the following scenarios: A hospital operating room loses power during a complex surgery, causing monitors to fail and life-support systems to shut down, endangering patients in . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/well-hidden-and-distorted-costs-of-renewables-a-comprehensive-comparison-of-wind-power-and-combined-cycle-gas-turbine-plant/

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“People have to realize that a 25 percent renewable energy standard by the year 2025 in Illinois amounts to thousands of wind turbines. ” —Joel Link, Invenergy


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=239

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“Overall, it is anticipated that there would be no collective impact on global warming as a result of offshore wind projects.” —Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, U.S. Department of the Interior, Vineyard Wind 1 Offshore Wind Energy Project Final Environmental Impact Statement


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=159

Well Hidden and Distorted Costs of Renewables: A Comprehensive Comparison of Wind Power and Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Plant #USA

I. Introduction: The Critical Need for Reliable Power in an Electrified World Wind power looks cheap on paper thanks to metrics like LCOE, but making it as reliable and robust as a natural gas plant requires massive overbuilds, backups, and infrastructure—ballooning actual total system costs by 5-40 times higher. Here’s the full breakdown. Consider the following scenarios: A hospital operating room loses power during a complex surgery, causing monitors to fail and life-support systems to shut down, endangering patients in . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/well-hidden-and-distorted-costs-of-renewables-a-comprehensive-comparison-of-wind-power-and-combined-cycle-gas-turbine-plant/

Assessing migration of bat species and interactions with offshore wind farms #GBR

Evidence gaps remain on the occurrence of bats in the offshore environment and their potential interactions with renewable developments. Through a desk-based literature review, a review of existing data sets, and engagement with international projects through two online workshops this study presents cutting edge data and best practice. Based on the data, Nathusius’ pipistrelle are the most commonly recorded species offshore and are considered a regular migrant to the British Isles. Surveys in the English Channel have recorded both common . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/assessing-migration-of-bat-species-and-interactions-with-offshore-wind-farms/

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“Not being an alternative themselves, it is quite simply spurious to ask for an alternative to replace them.” —Mark Duchamp, Executive Director, European Platform Against Windfarms


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=63

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“The wind, as a direct motive power, is wholly inapplicable to a system of machine labour, for during a calm season the whole business of the country would be thrown out of gear. Before the era of steam-engines, windmills were tried for draining mines; but though they were powerful machines, they were very irregular, so that in a long tract of calm weather the mines were drowned, and all the workmen thrown idle. ” —William Stanley Jevons, 1865


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=164

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=186

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“I will do anything that is basically covered by the law to reduce Berkshire’s tax rate. For example, on wind energy, we get a tax credit if we build a lot of wind farms. That’s the only reason to build them. They don’t make sense without the tax credit.” —Warren Buffett, Wall Street Journal, May 4, 2014


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=124

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“Because of the potential to kill millions of birds from global warming emissions, we’re going to kill millions of birds with wind turbines.” —Bob DeGroot, Md.


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=243

Proposal for Inclusion of the Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus), Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis), Southern Red Bat (Lasiurus blossevillii), and Southern Yellow Bat (Lasiurus ega) in Appendix II of the Convention on Migratory Species #BRA #CAN #CHL #MEX #USA

These bats have wide distribution ranges across the Americas. The Hoary Bat has the second largest range of any mammal on the continent after the puma (Puma concolor), which can be found from Canada to Argentina and Chile. The Eastern Red Bat is found between eastern Canada and the far northeast of Mexico, and the Southern Red Bat reaches from the western United States south down to Argentina. The Southern Yellow bat is distributed from North America (USA) down to . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/proposal-for-inclusion-of-the-hoary-bat-lasiurus-cinereus-eastern-red-bat-lasiurus-borealis-southern-red-bat-lasiurus-blossevillii-and-southern-yellow-bat-lasiurus-ega-in-appendix-ii-of-the/

Which future for the Red Kite Milvus milvus in Sardinia? An analysis of the future scenario of developing wind farms #ITA

Capsule: Red Kite populations in Sardinia are very small but show a strong spatial overlap with current and planned wind energy infrastructure, highlighting a conservation concern. Aims: To assess the status of the Red Kite population in Sardinia and evaluate the potential conflict between its distribution and the development of wind energy. Methods: Breeding populations were surveyed through road transects, while wintering numbers were assessed with coordinated roost counts. Spatial overlap with operational and planned wind farms was analysed using . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/which-future-for-the-red-kite-milvus-milvus-in-sardinia-an-analysis-of-the-future-scenario-of-developing-wind-farms/

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“If we waste our efforts on symbolic solutions instead of practical ones, we will create bigger problems.” —Andrew K. Gentile, “What’s the cost of banning fossil fuels?”, Vt. Digger, November 16, 2023


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=10

Proposal for Inclusion of the Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus), Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis), Southern Red Bat (Lasiurus blossevillii), and Southern Yellow Bat (Lasiurus ega) in Appendix II of the Convention on Migratory Species #BRA #CAN #CHL #MEX #USA

These bats have wide distribution ranges across the Americas. The Hoary Bat has the second largest range of any mammal on the continent after the puma (Puma concolor), which can be found from Canada to Argentina and Chile. The Eastern Red Bat is found between eastern Canada and the far northeast of Mexico, and the Southern Red Bat reaches from the western United States south down to Argentina. The Southern Yellow bat is distributed from North America (USA) down to . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/proposal-for-inclusion-of-the-hoary-bat-lasiurus-cinereus-eastern-red-bat-lasiurus-borealis-southern-red-bat-lasiurus-blossevillii-and-southern-yellow-bat-lasiurus-ega-in-appendix-ii-of-the/

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“Even if wind turbines were built in Hawaii, excess capacity would have to be built to handle peak loads in the event that the winds weren’t blowing or the islands would experience brownouts or blackouts. The fact that the periods of highest demands would coincide with a drop-off in wind speed means wind turbines cannot be counted on the meet peak load demands in Hawaii. So electrical generating capacity would have to be built twice, first as wind turbines and second as backup peak capacity protection.” —Don Newman, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=174

Which future for the Red Kite Milvus milvus in Sardinia? An analysis of the future scenario of developing wind farms #ITA

Capsule: Red Kite populations in Sardinia are very small but show a strong spatial overlap with current and planned wind energy infrastructure, highlighting a conservation concern. Aims: To assess the status of the Red Kite population in Sardinia and evaluate the potential conflict between its distribution and the development of wind energy. Methods: Breeding populations were surveyed through road transects, while wintering numbers were assessed with coordinated roost counts. Spatial overlap with operational and planned wind farms was analysed using . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/which-future-for-the-red-kite-milvus-milvus-in-sardinia-an-analysis-of-the-future-scenario-of-developing-wind-farms/

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“Wind and solar power are grid supply failures, propped up by hundreds of billions of dollars of subsidies, preferential pricing arrangements and tax breaks.” —Joshua Dyson (via Facebook)


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=1

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“Destruction of our natural heritage masquerades as the pursuit of green energy.” —Helen Douglas, The Herald, Dec. 2, 2016


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=21

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“What is ‘proper siting’ for something that doesn’t work?” —John Droz, N.Y.


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=170

Renewable Energy Honeymoon: starting is easy, the rest is hard #CA #CHN #DNK #DEU #ESP

Executive Summary The belief that Australia can decarbonise its economy by relying on the wind and the sun rests on a misplaced conviction about what the renewables rollout will entail. The idea that our previous accomplishments should encourage further persistence depends on the presupposition that the transition to renewables benefits from gathering momentum. Advocates point to the increase in wind and solar from 1.5% of our electricity share in 2010 to around 33% today as a success, and evidence that . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/renewable-energy-honeymoon-starting-is-easy-the-rest-is-hard/

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“A wind farm is an industrial installation of vast proportions, and, if erected on the loftiest ridges, its industrial flavor becomes the new focal point for all view-sheds within a 15-mile radius.” —Dave Buhrman, W.Va.


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=166

Seawater intake and discharge for offshore substation cooling: Sunrise Wind Project #MA #RI

Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Sunrise Wind Project: Volume 1 (
https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/sunrise-wind-final-environmental-impact-statement-feis-commercial) Operation of the OCS-DC [offshore converter station] would require the continuous withdrawal and discharge of non-contact cooling water. The daily DIF [design intake flow] for the OCS-DC would be 8.1 mgd [million gallons per day], and the daily average intake flow would range from 4.0 to 5.3 mgd. The maximum daily average discharge temperature would be 90°F, and the daily average discharge temperature would be 86°F. The vertical . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/seawater-intake-and-discharge-for-offshore-substation-cooling-sunrise-wind-project/

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“Because wind turbines cannot be counted on to produce when electricity demand reaches its highest levels, they have virtually no “capacity value” to grid managers. Therefore, areas experiencing significant electricity demand growth will have to add reliable, dispatchable generating units whether or not they add wind turbines.” —Glenn Schleede, Va.


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=161

Renewable Energy Honeymoon: starting is easy, the rest is hard #CA #CHN #DNK #DEU #ESP

Executive Summary The belief that Australia can decarbonise its economy by relying on the wind and the sun rests on a misplaced conviction about what the renewables rollout will entail. The idea that our previous accomplishments should encourage further persistence depends on the presupposition that the transition to renewables benefits from gathering momentum. Advocates point to the increase in wind and solar from 1.5% of our electricity share in 2010 to around 33% today as a success, and evidence that . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/renewable-energy-honeymoon-starting-is-easy-the-rest-is-hard/

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“They do not impact a landscape as much as dominate it.” —Robert Righter, Windfall: Wind Energy in America Today (2011, University of Oklahoma Press; Righter suggests that setbacks from neighbors need to be a mile or more)


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=167

Female Crabs Are Sensitive to Environmentally Relevant Electromagnetic Fields from Submarine Power Cables

Abstract: The expansion of offshore wind and marine renewable energy devices (MREDs) is increasing anthropogenic electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from submarine power cables (SPCs). SPC-generated EMFs can exceed 2700 μT, well above the geomagnetic field, and may affect benthic animal behavior. In decapod crustaceans, sex-specific habitat uses and seasonal migrations are well-documented, yet their role in EMF sensitivity remains untested. We exposed juvenile shore crabs (Carcinus maenas) (n = 120; 1:1 sex ratio) to EMFs of 500, 1000, and 3200 μT using . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/female-crabs-are-sensitive-to-environmentally-relevant-electromagnetic-fields-from-submarine-power-cables/

Assessing migration of bat species and interactions with offshore wind farms #GBR

Evidence gaps remain on the occurrence of bats in the offshore environment and their potential interactions with renewable developments. Through a desk-based literature review, a review of existing data sets, and engagement with international projects through two online workshops this study presents cutting edge data and best practice. Based on the data, Nathusius’ pipistrelle are the most commonly recorded species offshore and are considered a regular migrant to the British Isles. Surveys in the English Channel have recorded both common . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/assessing-migration-of-bat-species-and-interactions-with-offshore-wind-farms/

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“Because wind energy is intermittent, there always must be conventional generation, primarily natural gas or coal, ready to supplement electricity when the wind either dies down or blows so hard wind generators cannot operate. Electric generation is also needed to provide what are called “ancillary” transmission services, such as maintaining proper voltage throughout the transmission grid.” —Texas Co-op Power, August 2008


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=176

AVEL NEVEZ ou la tragédie des pales #FRA

Voici l’histoire d’un vent qui devait sauver le monde et qui se perdit dans l’âme des hommes. À Keriniz, sur la côte bretonne hantée par les mégalithes et les silences, des machines immenses s’élèvent, promises au progrès. Elles captent le souffle de la mer, le convertissent en chiffres, en espoirs, en mensonges. Léna, ingénieure idéaliste, croit œuvrer pour la lumière. Goulven, journaliste cynique, guette l’ombre derrière les discours. Pêcheurs, élus, rêveurs et calculateurs – tous sont emportés dans le sillage de . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/alerts/2025/10/11/avel-nevez-ou-la-tragedie-des-pales/

Assessing migration of bat species and interactions with offshore wind farms #GBR

Evidence gaps remain on the occurrence of bats in the offshore environment and their potential interactions with renewable developments. Through a desk-based literature review, a review of existing data sets, and engagement with international projects through two online workshops this study presents cutting edge data and best practice. Based on the data, Nathusius’ pipistrelle are the most commonly recorded species offshore and are considered a regular migrant to the British Isles. Surveys in the English Channel have recorded both common . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/assessing-migration-of-bat-species-and-interactions-with-offshore-wind-farms/

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“It doesn’t take a genius to figure out there are more cons than pros in this debate.” —Kristin Calkins Rowe, Burlington (Vt.) Free Press, Nov. 7, 2005


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=205

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“[The Guideline Development Group] recommends reducing noise levels produced by wind turbines to below 45[A] dB Lden [at the most exposed façade, outdoors], as wind turbine noise above this level is associated with adverse health effects. [Lden is the average of all (12-15 hours of day, 4 hours of evening [if defined], 8-9 hours of night) levels, with evening and night levels weighted: +5 dB added to the evening levels and +10 dB to the night levels.]” —World Health Organization, Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=82

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“In the end, we remain convinced, the entire state (Va.) will see clearly that wind power ... is wrong for our mountains and that those who pursue it are driven not by concern for the environment, but by the opportunity to pocket huge profits offered by huge taxpayer subsidies. When the smoke clears, there can be no other conclusion. Whether reason will triumph over the leverage of powerful special interests remains to be seen.” —Editorial Staff, Roanoke Times


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=191

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“These hills which I once loved to walk in, have in the intervening years been prodded all over with wind turbines. I find the once-familiar skyline quite shocking. Everywhere you look these huge things loom and bristle.” —Rima Staines, regarding South Lanarkshire, Scotland


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=102

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“The main success of Danish involvement in wind power would appear to be the foundation of an industry producing wind mills.” —Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Association


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=228

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“Wind farms make people sick who live up to a mile away.” —Telegraph (U.K.), 25 June 2004


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=173

Wind Farms and Power Lines: A Dual Threat to Seabirds in Brazil #BRA

Abstract: Bird collisions with power lines are a global conservation issue. This study examined the effects of wind farm construction and operation on seabird collisions with power lines in Galinhos, Northeastern Brazil. The research focused on a coastal area with 2.8 km of power lines across two beaches. Data on bird collisions, particularly involving Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) and Common Terns (Sterna hirundo), were collected from January 2010 to May 2020. The study aimed to assess collision impacts and the influence . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/wind-farms-and-power-lines-a-dual-threat-to-seabirds-in-brazil/

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“The charade of mitigation only adds insult to injury, because the claim of benefits is also a charade.” —Wind Watch Wiki


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=169

(pic) Height comparison - Griselles, le Loiret, France

Echelle comparative des hauteurs - Projet éolien Griselles - from Horizons Vendômois on behalf of Stop Éoliennes & Methanisation Griselles


https://www.wind-watch.org/pix/displayimage.php?pid=1046

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

Against the Goliath Short Film

Red kite (Milvus milvus) collision risk is higher at wind turbines with larger rotors and lower clearance, evidenced by GPS tracking

Abstract: Wind turbines are important for achieving renewable energy goals, but present a considerable threat to wildlife, especially birds and bats. This study reports 41 confirmed collisions of GPS-tracked Red Kites (Milvus milvus) with wind turbines across Europe (2017–2024). We compared environmental and turbine-specific factors during collisions and non-collision movements within 500 m of turbines. Collisions occurred year-round, with the highest mean number of collisions per day during spring and autumn migration. Rotor clearance and diameter were significant predictors of . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/red-kite-milvus-milvus-collision-risk-is-higher-at-wind-turbines-with-larger-rotors-and-lower-clearance-evidenced-by-gps-tracking/

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“It’s like taking up smoking because you drink too much. And now you’re a smoker as well as a drinker.” —Frida Payle


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=104

Industrial Wind Energy Quote

“These are big structures and they do make sound.” —Paul Gaynor, UPC Wind


https://www.wind-watch.org/quotes.php?t=202