Many people make many claims about wind turbines and the effects that they allegedly have. We've collated our favourites and given the answers.
WHY BUILD ON-SHORE WINDFARMS IN CORNWALL?
Cornwall produces very little of its own electricity and so relies on plyons to import electricity from Central England, which is very inefficient as substantial losses occur through indirect heating of the wires. Cornwall therefore has an obligation to be self-sufficient in energy generation and make the most of its high wind resource, particularly along the North Coast.
Davidstow Woods has been chosen as its exposed position presents clean wind speeds with an average of 8.6m/s at 50m above ground level. It is sensible to site windfarms in locations where it is windy, in order to generate the most electricity. Existing windfarms in North Cornwall are mainly of an older generation of technology which are not as efficient and only produce small amounts of renewable energy. These windfarms are approaching the end of their economic life and will require to be decommissioned.
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DOES WIND POWER NEED A MASSIVE BACK-UP FROM FOSSIL FUELS?
No form of energy supply is 100% available, 100% of the time. The National Grid currently runs 15% back-up capacity for all forms of electricity supply. There is always wind somewhere in the UK, so a lack of wind in one area is cancelled out by wind in other areas. Estimates show that an increase in wind use would require a back-up supply of up to 10% of the additional wind capacity.
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WHAT DISTANCES SEPERATE THE TURBINES AND NEARBY PROPERTIES?
The turbines are seperated by 350m in the cross wind direction and around 450m in the main wind direction, to ensure the wind is not affected by other wind turbines and so their performance is not reduced. To give an idea of scale, 350m is approximately the length of 3 football pitches.
The turbines have been sited as far away as possible from local properties with the majority of properties about 1km away. However there are a couple of properties which are closer to the boundary but have a seperation distance of a minimum of 750metres.
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ARE WIND TURBINES NOISY?
Wind turbines are not noisy. It is possible to have a normal conversation underneath a turbine when it is operating. When it is windy, the noise of the wind is louder than that of the moving turbine blades and the aerodynamic 'swoosh' they make. Background noise also increases in loudness as wind speeds increase.
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HOW EFFICIENT ARE WIND TURBINES?
Wind turbines cannot be working at maximum output all of the time due to the intermittent and variable nature of the wind. However turbines typically operate for 85-90% of the time. Current assessments show that an onshore windfarm in the UK typically operates at maximum capacity for approximately 29% of the time, although most carefully selected sites should be able to reach 35-40% of time at maximum capacity.
A windfarm is classed as efficient if it produces more energy than it takes to build or operate. An average windfarm repays this 'energy debt' within the first 6 to 8 months of operation.
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WHY DON'T TURBINES LOOK LIKE OLD-FASHIONED WINDMILLS?
A modern wind turbine is essentially a much improved windmill. Every aspect of their design has been optimised and they are hundreds of times more efficient than classic, traditional windmills. To make them look old-fashioned would hugely increase the cost of electricity.
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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A WINDFARM IS DECOMMISSIONED?
Clauses in the planning permission will dictate how a windfarm is taken down and every site is different. The aim of decommissioning is to return the site as best as possible to its original state by removing turbines, related buildings and access tracks if unrequired. Compared to a nuclear, gas or coal power plant, decommissioning is very simple.
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WHERE WILL THE ELECTRICITY GO TO AND HOW?
Electricity generated by each turbine will be moved by underground cables to a switch/control room in the substation located on-site. From here, underground cables will export the electricity to the pylons located to the west of the windfarm which is part of the Local Distribution Network. The cables will connect in to this network and feed directly in to a substation at St. Tudy and the electricity will then be distributed in to and around the local area.
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WILL THE AREA AROUND THE TURBINES BE CLOSED OFF?
No, the area will remain open and as part of our environmental benefits, we are proposing to enhance the woodland in conjunction with the Forestry Commission and provide better access to and through the woods, making it a local asset in the area. The farmland to the south will remain private and the farmer will be able to graze their stock right up to the base of the turbines.
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WHAT ARE WIND TURBINES MADE OF?
The towers are mostly tublar and made of steel, generally painted light grey. The blades are made of glass-fibre reinforced polyester or wood-epoxy. They are also light grey in colour as this is the most incospicuous colour in most lighting conditions and the finish is matt to reduce reflected light.
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WHY IS IT CALLED DAVIDSTOW COMMUNITY WINDFARM?
The windfarm has been named Davidstow Community Windfarm by the developer Community Windpower Ltd, as the project is located within and around Davidstow Woods. We have chosen the word 'community' as we wish the development to become part of the community and treated as a local asset. We have proposed a number of local community benefits and we wish to engender the community to the scheme and all its benefits.
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HOW LONG WILL THE WINDFARM LAST FOR?
The windfarm will be a temporary structure and has a design life of 25 years. The planning application will have a time limit of 25 years, after which the turbines will be taken down (decommissioned). By this time, it is hoped that other renewable energies such as tidal and wave power will have advanced further and the renewable energy mix in the UK may not be so heavily dependant upon on-shore wind.
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DO WINDFARMS AFFECT TOURISM?
There is NO evidence to suggest that windfarms detract tourists from areas where windfarms have been built. Indeed many windfarms are themselves tourist attractions.
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DO WINDFARM DEVELOPERS RECEIVE PUBLIC SUBSIDIES?
There is no public subsidy for wind power. The Renewables Obligation is a requirement on supply companies to source a given percentage of energy from renewables. Certificates are given for each MWh of renewable energy sourced which can then be traded. Wind power accounts for only one third of the Renewables Obligation take.
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HOW STRONG DOES THE WIND HAVE TO BLOW FOR TURBINES TO WORK?
Wind turbines start to operate at wind speeds of about 4 to 5 metres per second (m/s) which is equivalent to approximately 10 mph. Wind turbines reach maximum power output at 15m/s (33mph). At 25m/s (e.g. gale force winds), wind turbines automatically shut down as a safety precaution.
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WILL ANY JOBS BE CREATED BY THE WINDFARM?
Yes, as part of our committment to the local area we will provide 7 permanent jobs as a result of the development of the windfarm and preference will be given to local people to fill these positions. There will be 4 wind turbine engineers required as they are needed to maintain and manage the wind turbines, 2 positions at the Energy Advice Shop in Camelford and 1 Educational Ranger to work with local schools, clubs and community groups.
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WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP THE WIND ENERGY INDUSTRY?
You can show your support for wind energy and specific windfarm proposals by replying to letters in national and local newspapers, participate in radio phone-ins, send letters of support for windfarm applications to local councils, do a petition to support a windfarm proposal which can be given to the local council. Be positive and voice your support for Wind power - don't be one of the silent majority.
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