Wind farm

A wind farm is a collection of wind turbines all in the same location and used for the generation of electricity.

Wind farms can be positioned on land or offshore. In Europe, offshore farms are more common, while they are just starting to be implemented in the United States.

The location and use of wind farms is a controversial manner. Supporters generally point to the ecological advantages of wind power (e.g. less pollution, less use of fossil fuels which are often undesirable for a number of reason, etc.), while opponents claim that the large installations have a negative impact on the immediate area, including noise, displeasing visuals, and damage to wildlife such as birds. There is bitter disagreement over how cost-effective wind power is, and to what extent it is able to supplant other energy sources.

Wind farms in the US

One of the earliest large wind farms is located at Altamont Pass in northern California. This is composed of large numbers of relatively small wind turbines of various types. They were installed after the 1970s energy crisis in response to favorable tax policies for investors. It has been said that their primary product is not electricity but rather tax write-offs. Considered largely obsolete, these numerous small turbines are being gradually replaced with much larger and more cost effective units. The small turbines are dangerous to various raptors that hunt ground squirrels in the area. The larger units turn more slowly and are less hazardous to the local wildlife due to their higher elevation. An advantage of the Altamont Pass site is that under hot inland (Central Valley) conditions, a thermal low is developed that brings in cool coastal marine air, driving the turbines at a time of maximum need. However, this phenomenon is not always reliable and with an inland high pressure condition the entire region can be both hot and windless. At this time additional power must be provided by natural gas-powered gas turbine peaker plants.

In Massachusetts, two proposed wind farms have been treated very differently by residents. The Cape Wind project, a proposal to construct 130 offshore wind turbines in the Nantucket Sound, is the subject of heavy debate in the affluent communities of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. In contrast, the Hoosac Wind project, which will build 20 turbines on two ridgelines in the rural towns of Florida and Monroe, has been the subject of little controversy.

Wind farms in Europe

The development of wind farms in Europe enjoys greater public acceptance and creates a larger share of energy, though the goal of reducing the use of other sources remains elusive.

Wind farms in Japan

There is no particular controversy about the sightliness or otherwise of this wind farm, as in some other countries. It is far from the scenic areas of Wakamatsu, and on windy reclaimed land. See Wakamatsu ward in Kitakyushu.

Wind farms in Canada

The total capacity of all wind farms in Canada is approximately 444 MW. Roughly sixty percent of this capacity is from wind farms in the province of Alberta, and an additional quarter is contributed from wind farms in Quebec. The three largest wind farms in Canada are:

1. McBride Lake (near Fort Macleod, Alberta), 75MW
2. Summerview, (near Pincher Creek, Alberta), 68MW
3. Le Nordais Phase 1 (near Cap Chat, Quebec), 57MW

See also: List of wind farms in Canada.