How much longer are we going to put up with these stupid wind turbines?

Question

Recent research has proved that the power that these hideous contraptions put out is unbelievably puny and that they are monstrously inefficient. When are the wind energy plant kissers going to admit that they have been conned?

Answer 1

I dont know about putting up with them!

We have to start getting our energy from some source other than fossil fuels and I for one am not happy with the idea of the entire world generating electricity from nuclear power.

Sure wind turbines have their flaws but look at how every technology we take for granted today has improved over the last 50 years and then think where wind turbines might be 50 years from now.

Like Thom1274, I work in the oil industry and while I agree with him that we will still rely on fossil fuels in 20 years, I am certain my grandchildren (not yet born, and hopefully wont be for some time yet) will have no option but to use re-newable energy sources.

For their sake, we have to start doing something now and if that means 'putting up' with wind turbines until a better technology evolves / is discovered then so be it!

Surely the time to think about how we replace fossil fuels is BEFORE they run out?

P.S. I disagree that they are 'hideous contraptions', I actually find watching them quite relaxing.

Answer 2

Never because like hating cars these same people will continue to push their ideas and arguments on to the general public. Oh and the Germans make a very good profit out of the sale of these ugly and unnecessary machines. I believe that the carbon footprint of a windmill generator is greater per kilowatt than a nuclear power station.

Answer 3

I have asked myself this very question many times.  I think we would be better served pursuing other means.  The other thing people are forgetting is that they're a bit of a eye sore, and take up a crapload of land for the small amout of power they produce (as you say).  I also understand they kill quite a few birds every year.

I just read some of the other answers and have two more comments.  It's probably not hard to quadruple 1%, and over six years doesn't sound that impressive.  And I work in the oil industry and we're not going to run out any time soon.  Like it or not in 20 years fossil fuels will still account for around 85% of our energy.

Answer 4

Never heard of such research.  I know they do wonders for my state.

Answer 5

They're not bad.  Research makes them better all the time, and they're getting steadily more important.  So many people don't agree that they're bad.

"At the end of 2006, worldwide capacity of wind-powered generators was 74,223 megawatts; although it currently produces less than 1% of world-wide electricity use, it accounts for approximately 20% of electricity use in Denmark, 9% in Spain, and 7% in Germany. Globally, wind power generation more than quadrupled between 2000 and 2006."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_power

They're one important tool in fighting against global warming.  They're not going away any time soon.

Answer 6

Perhaps you would prefer to live next to a nice coal fired power station, or close to a nice deisol engine one. They make such an endearing din. Then again the smell of a brown coal fired power station and the lovely yellow hue it gives to the sky are charming beyond compare. Perhaps you will happily give up your home and community to have it flooded for a hydro scheme? Or are you one of the people who are looking forward to the days when millions of tonnes of highly enriched nuclear fuel and highly radio active waste is moved around the worlds power plants. Only the odd 0.001% escaping into the hands of terrorists to make dirty bombs with. Perhaps in your neighbourhood? Now how many dirty bombs could you make with 0.001% of a million tonnes of nuclear fuel/waste? No matter what safety record, no matter what controls when thequantities ge big enough there will be losses. But a dirty bomb actually is very tidy, it kills silently and without any "dirt" at all, well nothing you can see. So much nicer than a wind turbine.

Like it or not, if you want to have energy it will have to be produced. And I have yet to see a power plant that some one doesn't object to. As to insignificant? seems to me that they actually make quite a useful contribution. People who want to burn all the fossil fuels are the scum of the earth. Fossil fuels are far more valuable as sources of chemial raw materials. lets get as much energy as possible from rnewables and eke out those non renewable treaures in the earth. If we are still using fossil fuels in 20 years time it should not be for want of trying to find alternatives.

Answer 7

I have not heard about any such research. I think they are pretty cheap and efficient compared to solar panels. Of course they are more expensive than fossil fuel plants, but that will change as the world runs out of fossil fuels.

Answer 8

30% is NOT insignificant. And we will continue using wind until something cheaper/more efficient comes along, just like every OTHER technology. If you don't like it, why not put some research money into zero point energy systems?