Wind Turbines

[Issue313]

Not sure if this is the right forum, but we don't have a Green Planet forum as far as I can tell.

What's everyone's opinions on Wind Turbines. We've got lots around here, and were supposed to be getting more. I understand they only last for 20 years, when they wear out what happens? Those things are *huge*, taking them apart wouldn't be easy.

[Lulzar]

They're a great technology, as wind is a truly renewable resource.

[o_saudade]

They're a great technology, as wind is a truly renewable resource.

agreed. but I wonder why otherwise shitty countries, like ones in the sahara desert, or caribbean islands haven't exploited wind resources

[jolt890]

Because large scale wind turbines are expensive.

It takes a bit before they become cost effective.

It also costs money for wires, substations, etc.

[Issue313]

My opinion on cost is it all depends on how long the infrastructure lasts. For instance if the infrastructure could possibly last 100 years, then it would be possible to fund it with very long term bonds and the whole system would only cost 100th its cost price per year minus the scrappage price of the materials used. I can't find out if the towers that wind turbines are built on need to be taken down and remelted every 20 years, or if only the equipment inside needs to be replaced every 20 years. Either way, although they sound expensive to build, the iron they are made of isn't going anywhere, so it should be possible to completely recycle the entire system when it wears out.

[jolt890]

I think that a lot of places you have to deal with corrosion on the blades. Sandy places will wear them down over time and salty places will rust the shit out of them.

Most poor places have a lot of other things that they're dealing with. War/Famine/Plague/Government Corruption/Etc.

Besides, most poor places aren't demanding power because people don't use it, or don't use that much.

[Animal Farm Pig]

This one (http://books.google.com/books?id=kQEAAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA80) is still operating after 30 years.

I think that wind is a great source of power. There have been some issues raised about bird and bat kill in some places, but I think we can find engineering solutions to this.

I haven't seen any electricity generating windmills in third world countries (USA excepted). To deploy them requires more organization and resources than most poor countries can muster. It also requires imagination and hope.

I do know of an independent project with the aim to supply 100% of the energy needs of a specific small, poor country through wind and other green sources. I can say no more, but you might hear about it when they succeed.

[unstableasatable]

people say they dont like wind turbines because they 'spoil the veiw' these people have 3 choices, cut out all the electrisity in their life, turn around and look at the powerstation polluting instead, or accept the turbbines.
my only problem with them is the are built for huge prophets and not to save te planet, other they r good

[Dread_Lord]

agreed. but I wonder why otherwise shitty countries, like ones in the sahara desert, or caribbean islands haven't exploited wind resources

In a word? Niggers.

[AngryOnion]

Aruba is just now finishing a large scale wind turbine project.
These thing are huge!I saw then when I was on vacation last week.
Here is a link for the project.
http://bentpage.wordpress.com/2009/09/27/massive-wind-turbines-aruba/

[ysr2096]

people say they dont like wind turbines because they 'spoil the veiw'

How silly. I think they're rather pleasant to look at, like a high-tech rendering of the windmills in Amsterdam. :)

[jolt890]

How silly. I think they're rather pleasant to look at, like a high-tech rendering of the windmills in Amsterdam. :)

Same here. There are some turbines a ways from me and I always thought they looked nice. 20+ turbines spread out over rolling hills.