“This study confirms the results of previous local modelling and measurement studies of wind farms (including our own in the National Centre for Atmospheric Science). This contrasts with the effects of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide increasing carbon dioxide causes a real increase in the energy (and hence temperature) content of the atmosphere. They simply redistribute heat in the atmosphere, which is already naturally present, so that more heat is present near the surface. “It is crucial to understand that wind turbines *do not* significantly warm the atmosphere. There are also other consequences, such as potentially increasing surface evaporation rates slightly. The effect at night is to mix warmer air downwards towards the normally cold surface, increasing surface temperatures. These processes have the largest effect at night, because during the daytime the atmosphere is already usually quite well mixed. “It is already well known (and indeed quite obvious) that wind turbines create increased mixing of the lower part of the atmosphere and also generate some additional atmospheric turbulence. ![]() The model has been run to simulate a year of operating wind farms to provide 14% of current US energy consumption (an increase of 18 times over current US onshore wind energy generation capacity). “The study uses the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) atmospheric model, with the addition of a representation of the local effects of wind turbines. “This is an interesting study, which is balanced and consistent with other studies on the topic of the atmospheric effects of wind farms. Prof Stephen Mobbs, Director of the National Centre for Atmospheric Science, said: So great to see David’s paper – but let’s keep it in perspective and not use it as yet another excuse for kicking real mitigation still further into the long grass.” The climate change we are witnessing and looks set to continue arises primarily from burning fossil fuels – with deforestation and eating meat also important factors. Whilst scientists and academics rightly spend hours poring over every detail, the headline message remains unchanged. All of these will have some small impact on the climate at some particular scale. Add to this how cities and towns not only create heat islands but also move, channel and absorb energy from the wind. “A significant proportion of the energy used to propel the globe’s 1.5 billion passenger and commercial vehicles and to keep the 100 thousand flights per day in the sky goes into pushing huge quantities of air out of the way. ![]() Here his work on wind power needs to be considered alongside other similarly interesting but ultimately minor factors. “David Keith always adds curious nuances to a debate. Prof Kevin Anderson, Professor of Energy and Climate Change at the University of Manchester and Deputy Director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, said: ![]() However, as we transition to low carbon sources it will be increasingly important to consider a fuller suite of environmental impacts, for example land take and resource use.” “In the energy debate warming is commonly the headline as it is driving the energy transition. In contrast, if we turn off fossil fuel plants, the planet will stay warm. “If you turn the wind turbines off the warming effect will disappear. Studies have also shown wind farms can cause cooling further away. “What this study, and others, suggests is that wind farms can cause localised and regional warming – not global warming. Research published in Joule shows that wind power reduces emissions while causing climatic impacts such as warmer temperatures.ĭr Alona Armstrong, NERC Industrial Innovation Fellow and Senior Lecturer in Energy & Environmental Science at the Lancaster Environment Centre, said: Expert reaction to research on climatic impact of wind power
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