Wind energy is often lauded as one of the most promising renewable energy sources. The sight of majestic wind turbines stretching towards the sky, churning out clean energy, is one of the main things we think about when we talk about sustainable energy. Wind energy seems like a perfect solution for a sustainable future. However, despite its numerous benefits, there are downsides to wind energy that need to be addressed.
One of the main challenges with wind energy is its intermittency. Wind turbines produce energy only when the wind is blowing, and wind patterns can be unpredictable. This means that wind energy cannot provide a constant source of power, making it difficult to rely on as the sole source of energy. In addition, the energy produced by wind turbines can fluctuate, causing instability in the electrical grid.
Another issue with wind energy is its impact on wildlife, particularly birds and bats. The spinning blades of wind turbines can be deadly for these animals, and studies have shown that the number of bird and bat fatalities is significant. This is a serious concern, especially for endangered species.
Wind turbines can also have negative visual impacts on the landscape, which can be particularly problematic in areas with high tourist traffic. This has been the case in British Columbia, where a proposed wind farm on Crown land was met with opposition from local communities and First Nations groups due to concerns over the visual impact on the landscape.
I was surprised to learn about the downsides of wind energy. As someone who supports sustainable energy and sees wind turbines as a symbol of progress towards a greener future, I hadn’t thought much about the other side of the coin. But it’s important to learn about the challenges that come with any form of energy production, so I hope this post has helped you realize that as well.
Resources:
https://www.energysage.com/about-clean-energy/wind/pros-cons-wind-energy/ https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/advantages-and-challenges-wind-energy https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/10/large-scale-wind-power-has-its-down-side/
Pictures:
https://www.clean-energy-ideas.com/wind/wind-energy/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-wind-energy/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelshellenberger/2019/06/26/why-wind-turbines-threaten-endangered-species-with-extinction/?sh=1034fcd064b4
Shreya
April 17, 2023 — 12:33 pm
Hi Filip! Well written and interesting blog post. I have always read about the benefits of wind energy, but not come across many news articles that shed light on the potential environmental downsides of this renewable energy resource. Anytime I pass by wind mills I am happy to see that area’s energy is being sourced from a renewable resource. It was surprising to learn about how they affect wildlife that flies around there. I did some further research to see how this can be mitigated. In fact, wildlife biologists have found that bats are most active when wind speeds are low. Using this information, the Bats and Wind Energy Cooperative concluded that keeping wind turbines motionless during times of low wind speeds could reduce bat deaths by more than half without significantly affecting power production.