1. Wind Energy Myths and Facts
Brian Antonich
Windustry Program Analyst
Great Lakes Regional Wind Institute
Webinar #1 – Windy Landowner Education
September 13th, 2007

2. Wind Energy Potential 20% Plan From the U.S. DOE
20% of the
nation’s electrical
needs can be
provided by
wind!
Currently the US supplies just under 1% of it’s electrical energy needs from wind

3. Radar and Wind Turbines

5. Additional Information Wind and Radar
Wind projects close to operating radar sites
F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming – two 660-kW turbines
U.S. Navy at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba – four 950-kW turbines
U.S. Air Force Space Command on Ascension Island – four 225-kW and two 900-kW turbines
U.S. Navy at San Clemente Island Base – three 225-kW turbines
Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts – near Hull, MA turbines
Experts and resources
Gary Seifert – Idaho National Laboratory – Presentation on Wind Radar Interference
Laurie Jodziewicz – Communications and Policy Specialist – American Wind Energy Association

6. Wind Energy and Ascetics/Property Values
Concerns brought up at public hearings
Important to understand the underlying issues:
property values,
perceived public health risks,
visual nuisance,
or money
Land use plays a large factor
Agriculture – traditionally low opposition
Forested – wildlife impacts
Mountain top – strong visual concerns
Recreational – property values and visual concerns
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

7. Proper Siting Can Balance a Wind Projects Visual Impact
Communities can develop policies to safely and appropriately site projects based on community values and appropriate use of wind systems

8. Excellent Resources Wind Project Siting Issues
Siting and Permitting Publications National Wind Coordinating Collaborative
Ryan Wiser – Laurence Berkeley National Laboratory Do Wind Facilities Affect Local Property Values?

9. Wind Energy and Sound
Wind systems are typically sited in windy areas where the sound of the wind generally masks noise from the machines.
Chart shows noise from wind turbine at approximately 1,000 feet from the machine.

10. Wind Energy and Sound
Today's turbines are much quieter than older technology.
Sound proofing of nacelle
More efficient blades
Quieter gear boxes
Slower moving rotors
Gearbox and generator in a 1.65 MW wind turbine owned by Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, Iowa.

11. Excellent Resources Wind Energy and Sound
British Wind Energy Association
Noise From Wind Turbines The facts:
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
A Guide to Noise Control in Minnesota: Acoustical Properties, Measurements, Analysis, Regulation
Wind Turbine Manufactures
Provide sound emission information for turbines:

12. Wind Turbines and Safety
Epileptic Seizures:
Modern wind turbine blades generally rotate between rpm, which is slow.  Epileptic seizures for photosensitive people are triggered by rates of 5 to 30 flashes per second.  The blades of today's wind turbines do not spin quickly enough to cause seizures. At maximum rotational speed, there would be a little more than 1 flash per second.
For more information about photosensitivity and epilepsy visit the
Epilepsy Foundation’s website:

13. Wind Turbines and Safety
Ice Throw:
“Ice throw, while it can occur under certain conditions, is of little danger. Setbacks typically used to minimize noise are sufficient to protect against danger to the public. In addition, ice buildup slows a turbine's rotation and will be sensed by a turbine's control system, causing the turbine to shut down.”
Source: American Wind Energy Association – Wind Energy Myths vs. Facts

14. Wind Turbines and Safety
Spirit Lake, Iowa
Blade Throw:
“Blade throws were common in the industry's early years, but are unheard-of today because of better turbine design and engineering…. There are thousands of turbines installed in Europe and…in the U.S. - wind turbine standards ensure a high level of operational reliability and safety in the U.S. and worldwide.”
Source: American Wind Energy Association
Wind Energy Myths vs. Facts

15. Wind Energy Avian Impacts
“Significant expansion of renewable energy sources such as wind power is needed to reduce pollution from fossil fuels and address global warming…[t]o protect birds, wildlife, and habitat from global warming[.] Fossil fuel power plants account for more than one third of the carbon dioxide emitted by the United States.”
Mike Daulton
Director of Conservation Policy,
National Audubon Society
Erickson, et al, 2002, A Summary and Comparison of Bird Mortality from Anthropogenic Causes with and Emphasis on Collisions

16. Wind Turbines and Bats
Wildlife experts are perplexed about the cause of bat fatalities inflicted by wind turbines.
The National Wind Coordinating Collaborative is actively studying the issue.
For more information about the efforts to understand this problem and other wind/wildlife issues visit the NWCC Wildlife Workgroup website:
Photos of Bats: Edward B. Arnett
Bat Conservation International

17. Cost of Wind Energy
Wind energy typically offsets higher cost natural gas fired peaking plants.
Large penetrations of wind complement hydro electric dams in the NW very well.

18. Cost of Wind Energy
Source: US Department of Energy: Annual Report of U.S. Wind Power
Installation, Cost and Performance Trends:2006

19. Cost of Wind Energy
Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Annual Report of U.S. Wind Power
Installation, Cost and Performance Trends:2006

20. Cost of Wind Energy Minnesota Wind Integration Study
Full study report and results of other U.S. Wind Integration Studies can be found by visiting the Utility Wind Integration Group Website:

21. Wind Energy and Subsidies
Every energy technology is subsidized. Wind energy is no exception. Wind receives a tax credit that provides an inflation-adjusted 1.5 cents for each kilowatt-hour generated, over the first ten years of the project. This credit reduces the tax liability of a wind farm, but is not a subsidy of public money flowing to the wind farm owner.
Subsidies that other energy sources receive:
tax deductions
loan guarantees
liability insurance
leasing of public lands at below market prices.
Additional indirect subsidies include federal money for research and development programs and policy provisions in federal legislation.
Source: American Wind Energy Association – Wind Energy Myths vs. Facts

22. Windustry Program Analyst
Thanks and Questions?
Brian Antonich
Windustry Program Analyst
Brian’s
Phone: