Wind farms need suitable locations with flat, elevated topography and stable wind speeds of at least 10 mph. Large areas are needed to avoid the “wind farm effect” and to consider wildlife. Unconventional locations, such as offshore, are becoming popular due to concerns for habitats and aesthetics.
Wind farms can provide clean, renewable energy to homes and businesses. However, they are only effective when placed in suitable locations. Whereas a single wind turbine, also called a windmill or wind generator, can be effective for personal use of electricity, building a farm of several large turbines for regional energy requires specific geographical and atmospheric conditions.
The topography of a wind farm should be flat, yet elevated. Rugged, uneven terrain creates a potential wind block, slowing the airspeed through the farm. Wind speed increases at higher altitudes, however it is important that the entire flat area is also elevated. For this reason, many wind farms are located on top of hills, but the tops themselves can be flattened if not leveled naturally.
Wind farm locations should also be large enough to accommodate wind turbines with the greatest possible spacing between generators. The exact distance needed varies based on the size of the windmills. If the wind generators are too close together, the windmills can interfere with each other, slowing the wind speed as the air passes through the farm. This interference, often called the “wind farm effect”, is usually avoidable if large areas are plotted for the wind farm.
In addition to topographical concerns, the atmospheric conditions of potential wind farm sites also need to be considered. Even if a hilly location produces faster winds, regular weather patterns can still show that the area isn’t windy enough. It is important to measure the area’s wind accurately, making sure the location has a constant speed of at least 10 miles per hour (16.1 km per hour). Also, the wind speed should be quite stable. Severe weather can create intense gusts of wind leading to damage to turbines or power surges at the substation.
Environmentally, wind farms also need to consider the wildlife in the area. The deaths of birds and bats have been attributed to wind farms when turbines are positioned near large populations of animals. Some experts also argue that land animals, while not killed by the turbines, may experience migratory or mating disruptions due to the presence and noise of windmills. Domestic animals, such as cows, don’t seem to be bothered by wind turbines, so many wind farms are deliberately located near land that has already been converted to grazing areas for livestock.
Unconventional wind farm locations are becoming increasingly popular in the face of growing concern for bird and bat habitats. Additionally, some cities and towns with adjacent wind farms have complained about the unsightly appearance of the turbines. Most new and unconventional wind farms are located offshore. While hilltop elevation is impossible for ocean wind farms, engineers can build the parks along areas of constant sea winds for impressive wind speeds. Although effective offshore wind farm locations are significantly more expensive due to difficult installation logistics.
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