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Negative Factors of Wind Energy

While wind-generated electricity has tremendous potential as a renewable energy source, there are some negatives as well. Wind-energy production in the U.S. grew from almost zero in 1980 to over 11,000 megawatts by 2006; however, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, as of 2009, it still accounts for less than 1 percent of U.S. energy production. Some of the negative factors surrounding wind energy include its impact on aesthetics, wildlife, habitats and noise. Furthermore, it remains a limited source that is costly to utilize.

Negative Effects on Aesthetics
- Wind turbines typically extend several hundred feet into the air. This means they are not only unattractive to the eye, but hard for the eye to miss. This negative factor is exasperated by both the fact that ridgelines are one of the best locations and the fact that utility- and community-scale projects can involve hundreds, if not thousands of turbines. Diminished aesthetics can have a real economic impact on communities, both in reduced property values and in loss of tourism.
Negative Effects on Wildlife
- Bats and birds are susceptible to turbine-related injuries and deaths, primarily from collisions with spinning blades. While vulnerabilities depend on species, nocturnal, migrating species appear to be most affected. Bats are a concern due to their low reproductive rates. Bats, who prey on insects, are also important to the healthy function of ecosystems. Other species, like the raptor and bald eagle, are a concern due to their limited populations.
Negative Effects on Habitats
- Wind farms have a negative impact on surrounding habitats. These projects require the clearing, or deforestation, of large wildlife areas, as well as the construction of roads and power lines. This development can also lead to changes in micro climates, further impacting wildlife. Large wind farms also create a barrier effect, dividing habitats. This division causes wildlife to avoid normal migratory routes, or expend tremendous energy circumnavigating them.
Negative Impact of Noise
- While turbines and their blades are not overly noisy, they do produce noise levels that rise above ambient, background levels. This noise can disturb animals, causing elevated stress levels. Turbine noise can also interfere with animal communications. These wildlife signals are important for foraging, warning and mating.
Negative Impact of Cost
- While wind technology will continue to improve, this development is expensive. In addition to technological costs, the remote locations of wind farms require their power to be transmitted over great distances. This necessitates the building of long-distance power lines, adding to the costs.
Negative Limitations
- Wind-generated power is a geographically-limited energy source. Only certain regions and typography are suitable for use. Wind farms are also limited by the ability of the U.S. power grid. This grid was not designed to transmit power over the long-distances required by remote wind farms. Wind energy is also limited by the availability of winds. This requires the ability to store large amounts of power for use when the winds are calm; something the current U.S. power system has almost no capacity to do.

Nature