Windmill Farms: Farms of the Future?
A wind farm is a grouping of windmills (wind turbines) for the purpose of generating a large amount of electrical power.
Here are some interesting facts about wind farms;
- A windmill farm (also known as a wind farm) may consist of a few dozen to about 100 or so windmills, or wind turbines, and can cover an area of hundreds of square miles. The land under the turbines can still be used for agricultural purposes. A windmill farm may be located on the shores of a lake or other body of water to take advantage of strong winds blowing over the surface of an ocean or lake.
- The velocity of wind is greater at higher altitudes due to reduced drag and lower air viscosity. Also, due to a “wind profile power law”, if the altitude of a windmill is doubled, then the wind velocity will increase by 10%. Of course, other features, such as ground conditions, mountains, etc must be considered.
- Windmill farms are not new. Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area near Livermore, CA has been around since 1981. There are 5,200 turbines in a 4 by 6 mile rectangle of land. The Altamont Pass Wind Farm has gained notoriety as being especially dangerous to birds. 4,700 birds are killed by the wind turbines each year, including 1,300 raptors and 70 golden eagles. Yikes.
- The trend to update wind farms is to replace smaller windmills (with small capacities) with much larger units. That way, much fewer turbines can be used to generate the same amount of power, and much less land is needed.
- Wind farms are controversial in resort communities on both the East and West coasts. Residents are unhappy that pristine views are blocked by the ideal locations (on the banks of bodies of water) of the 150 foot plus tall windmills. Of course, the reason that engineers want to place the wind farms in these communities is due to the fact that the wind quality is so great.
- The latest wind farm technology will place wind farms up to 10 miles off shore (oceans). The reasons for this location make sense – the wind quality is much better at sea, and there will be no views ruined by the mass of turbines. And, far fewer birds will be killed by the turbine blades so far out to sea. The negatives include more difficult servicing of the turbines at sea, and the more harsh conditions the machinery is subject to.
- Tags: Wind Farms
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