Wind Turbines

[FocusRS3]

I often see these off shore when i'm at the coast and I've often wondered just how much energy they actually produce.

Reading a report on the ones off shore at Holland On Sea i was surprised to see that they actually provide energy to 120k homes in the Colchester area from just 48 turbines.

I can see many more of these popping up although i think inland they look awful

[Composite Guru]

FocusRS3 said:

I often see these off shore when i'm at the coast and I've often wondered just how much energy they actually produce.

Reading a report on the ones off shore at Holland On Sea i was surprised to see that they actually provide energy to 120k homes in the Colchester area from just 48 turbines.

I can see many more of these popping up although i think inland they look awful

I actually think they look quite graceful. Who cares what they look like, if it helps slow down climate change then its all good surely?

Our electric cars are going to require them all in the future too.

[FocusRS3]

Composite Guru said:

I actually think they look quite graceful. Who cares what they look like, if it helps slow down climate change then its all good surely?

Our electric cars are going to require them all in the future too.

Inland i don't like them but but at sea at night i like!

I was surprised how much energy they actually produced so its all good

[Johnnytheboy]

I wonder why they don't make the blades out of solar panels?

[S6PNJ]

Johnnytheboy said:

I wonder why they don't make the blades out of solar panels?

Imagine all of those 4 way 13A trailing sockets everywhere - the ones at sea would get wet for a start!

[MYOB]

FocusRS3 said:

i was surprised to see that they actually provide energy to 120k homes in the Colchester area from just 48 turbines.

They don't provide energy to specific places. They provide the equivalent of this. It all goes onto the National Grid.

Apologies if you're aware, but it annoys me when I see Govt and developers use this ploy.

[FocusRS3]

MYOB said:

They don't provide energy to specific places. They provide the equivalent of this. It all goes onto the National Grid.

Apologies if you're aware, but it annoys me when I see Govt and developers use this ploy.

Its ok, its sort of what i meant but my delivery was poor.

[Big Al.]

FocusRS3 said:

Its ok, its sort of what i meant but my delivery was poor.

Re your report see here:-

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Mods have no input regarding changes.

HTH

Back on topic.

[robinh73]

While I appreciate the need for alternative means of power, wind turbines really aren't the answer. Currently, wind turbines as we speak are providing 1.3% of the power required for the UK. We are getting 4.7% from France and 3.2% from Holland. Nuclear is providing 17.3%.
My issue with wind turbines (especially out at sea) is that they require huge energy in construction and the amount of fossil fuel that is used to actually put them in place is massive. Then there is the fact that they can't produce power 24/7. Tidal power would be a much better option.

[p4cks]

FocusRS3 said:

i think inland they look awful

Which is what was said about windmills many, many years ago.

[FocusRS3]

Big Al. said:

Re your report see here:-

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Mods have no input regarding changes.

HTH

Back on topic.

Many tks

[Einion Yrth]

p4cks said:

FocusRS3 said:

i think inland they look awful

Which is what was said about windmills many, many years ago.

Citation needed.

[AshVX220]

robinh73 said:

While I appreciate the need for alternative means of power, wind turbines really aren't the answer. Currently, wind turbines as we speak are providing 1.3% of the power required for the UK. We are getting 4.7% from France and 3.2% from Holland. Nuclear is providing 17.3%.
My issue with wind turbines (especially out at sea) is that they require huge energy in construction and the amount of fossil fuel that is used to actually put them in place is massive. Then there is the fact that they can't produce power 24/7. Tidal power would be a much better option.

Plus I've read/heard (can't remember where) that they're responsible for a load of sea-bird deaths and for distressing and confusing other maritime life, such as Whales and Dolphins.

[mikal83]

AshVX220 said:

Plus I've read/heard (can't remember where) that they're responsible for a load of sea-bird deaths and for distressing and confusing other maritime life, such as Whales and Dolphins.

Utter utter rubbish

[HappySilver]

They always build these wind farms in really windy areas, why do we need to make more wind there? Surely we should build them in areas where there is less wind and where the extra breeze would be appreciated.

[2Btoo]

HappySilver said:

They always build these wind farms in really windy areas, why do we need to make more wind there? Surely we should build them in areas where there is less wind and where the extra breeze would be appreciated.

Erm .....

[springfan62]

robinh73 said:

While I appreciate the need for alternative means of power, wind turbines really aren't the answer. Currently, wind turbines as we speak are providing 1.3% of the power required for the UK. We are getting 4.7% from France and 3.2% from Holland. Nuclear is providing 17.3%.
My issue with wind turbines (especially out at sea) is that they require huge energy in construction and the amount of fossil fuel that is used to actually put them in place is massive. Then there is the fact that they can't produce power 24/7. Tidal power would be a much better option.

I think you will find that the current contribution is about 4% (ie today) but over the year its about 15% so not insignificant.

You can see real time grid factor here https://carbonintensity.org.uk/

We need a balanced mix of generation to make the grid work and wind and solar make a growing and important contribution to our energy needs.

You may not like the look of them but would you like to live next to or look at a nuclear or coal power station.

[thegreenhell]

Composite Guru said:

Our electric cars are going to require them all in the future too.

Mount them on the cars. A bit impractical - you'd have to avoid low bridges and other obstacles all the time, but at least you could generate power as you drive along, even on calm days...

[GliderRider]

The reason we don't have more underwater tidal energy turbines is that MPs can't get a 'green' photo opportunity standing next to something that is submerged and working.

Here is a tidal energy plant that has been installed off the North coast of Scotland: MeyGen

[cml24]

That Meygen project looks really interesting.

Anyone got info on the estimated cost vs actual cost of the first phase? The largest phase at £420million looks to similar to Hinkley point C from some extremely rough calculations per MWh over expected life, but not quite sure how much should be factored for maintenance. They are underwater....

Presumably if tidal ever does take off that price should fall considerably.