Read + Write + Report
Home | Start a blog | About Orble | FAQ | Sites | Writers | Advertise | My Orble | Login

Aquatic 'wind farms' in Scotland

September 29th 2008 01:14
: 29 Sept 08
As questions continued to be raised over the cost/benefit of wind farms to the environment and biodiversity worldwide, energy giants in Scotland announce plans to take their 'wind' energy underwater.

Scottish Power has announced plans to build up to 40 turbines in waters surrounding Ireland and Scotland.

Standing 30m tall, and potentially operating as deep as 100m, the turbines will have blades 20m long.

Apparently, tests in Norway have indicated that the blades will move slowly enough for marine life to avoid them....

While i endeavour to remain impartial in reporting science and environment news, i have to say i am slightly sceptical of this claim. With reports that millions of birds get killed by wind turbines each year worldwide, that bat get the bends from a change in air pressure near wind turbine blades (leading to death) and that the noise of turbines can influence communication in some species - i can't quite see how a quick trial in Norway will have anticipated all of the potential outcomes to marine life.


One positive thing, however, is that zones which contain turbines would be off limits to trawlers!

A prototype - worth about 6 million POUNDS, will be located off Orkney for a year prior to the deployment of the other units.

taken from thetimesonline.com
Can underwater 'wind' farms solve the energy crisis?
80
Vote


   
Subscribe to this blog 


Just this blog This blog and DailyOrble (recommended)

   

   

   


Recent Posts:
      Noah's Ark...will it be needed again? 
      Walter Cronkite: One of a Kind 
      I'm Not Angry At Anyone 
      Luna 
      Nighttime Again 
Comments
1 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Louie

September 30th 2008 00:15
Apparently, tests in Norway have indicated that the blades will move slowly enough for marine life to avoid them....

If this is the case then i am all for it, here's hoping they can get them down there without too much damage.....

Add A Comment

To create a fully formatted comment please click here.


CLICK HERE TO LOGIN | CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Name or Orble Tag
Home Page (optional)
Comments
Bold Italic Underline Strikethrough Separator Left Center Right Separator Quote Insert Link Insert Email
Notify me of replies
Notify extra people about this comment
Is this a private comment?
List the Email Addresses or Orble Tags of the people you would like to be notified about this comment


One per line max of 30

List the Email Addresses or Orble Tags of the people you would like to be notified about this private comment thread. Only the people in this list will be able to see or reply to your comment.


One per line max of 30

Your Name
(for the email going out to the above list, it can be different to your Orble Tag)
Your Email Address
(optional)
(required for reply notification)
Submit
More Posts
4 Posts
5 Posts
2 Posts
57 Posts dating from October 2007
Email Subscription
Receive e-mail notifications of new posts on this blog:
0

Tricia Benet's Blogs

80 Vote(s)
7 Comment(s)
2 Post(s)
91 Vote(s)
2 Comment(s)
2 Post(s)
Moderated by Tricia Benet
Copyright © 2006 2007 2008 On Topic Media PTY LTD. All Rights Reserved. Design by Vimu.com.
On Topic Media ZPages: Sydney |  Melbourne |  Brisbane |  London |  Birmingham |  Leeds     [ Advertise ] [ Contact Us ] [ Privacy Policy ]