Several critics of wind turbines oppose them because they are “bird choppers,” but admittedly, I think that is a weak argument. Far more birds are killed each year by buildings, power lines and even house cats. Should we ban those, too? If you are going to make a case against wind farm construction, critics should adhere to making fair arguments: wind turbines are material intensive; they require a lot of land; they are inefficient and variable on weather conditions, and require fossil fuel backup.
Several critics of wind turbines oppose them because they are “bird choppers,” but admittedly, I think that is a weak argument. Far more birds are killed each year by buildings, power lines and even house cats. Should we ban those, too? If you are going to make a case against wind farm construction, critics should adhere to making fair arguments: wind turbines are material intensive; they require a lot of land; they are inefficient and variable on weather conditions, and require fossil fuel backup.
@ChrisMartzWX They also require blade replacement after 10-12 years which kills their payback model. We already have more blades waste than nuclear.
@KevinLedgister @ChrisMartzWX So are you suggesting that gas, coal, oil fired power stations never need any new parts?
@KevinLedgister @ChrisMartzWX And the blades are toxic and we are just burying them.
@KevinLedgister @ChrisMartzWX Usually 20-30 yrs
I believe this is accurate, from what I've read. Do you know why? Not a challenge, I've always been curious. I have window fans that are ancient. Some have metal blades, some plastic. They never need replacing.
@KevinLedgister @ChrisMartzWX Yeah, those radioactive for thousands of years turbine blades really are a challenge.
@KevinLedgister @ChrisMartzWX Except they last 20-25 years and all power plants - except hydro - need to be replaced every 25-30 years.
@KevinLedgister @ChrisMartzWX I’ve been seeing truckloads of used blades every day on the highway.
@KevinLedgister @ChrisMartzWX What a ridiculous comparison. High bulk, low harm Vs low bulk, high harm. Have you seen the resources required to construct and operate a nuclear waste repository?