Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
What is wind power?
Wind is the movement of
air caused by the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface by the sun. As warm
air rises, cool air rushes in to the space left by the rising warm air.
Wind has kinetic energy
that can be converted into electricity by wind turbines. The wind causes blades,
which are mounted at the top of a large tower and attached to a horizontal shaft,
to turn. The shaft is attached to a generator that is located in the head or "nacelle"
of the turbine. As the shaft turns, the generator creates electricity. The electricity
is then transferred to our homes and offices.
Is wind power environmentally
friendly?
Because the wind is caused
by the sun’s heating of the Earth, the wind will blow as long as the sun
shines, and is therefore a naturally renewable source of power. Wind power has
no emissions, harmful by-products or wastes. It is one of the cleanest forms of
energy available.
Do wind turbines have
an impact on birds and bats?
Birds and bats occasionally
collide with wind turbines just as they do with all other tall structures. Although
this was a problem for early wind farms, improved technology and better site design
have significantly reduced bird mortalities. Also, studies have demonstrated that
wind power has a low overall impact as it contributes less than one mortality
for every 10,000 human-related sources of bird mortality. Further, because wind
power does not produce emissions into the air or water, it does not have any impact
on bird habitat. This cannot be said about the conventional carbon-based forms
of power generation that contribute to climate change.
Do landowners receive
any compensation for the use of their land?
Yes. Please see our section
on Landowner Information for more details.
Can I still use my land
if a wind farm is erected there?
Yes. A typical wind farm
uses very little land for the turbines and the access roads. The turbines do not
affect livestock or prevent you from using your land for farming, ranching or
other purposes.
What do wind turbines
sound like?
Noise was an issue with
early turbine designs but has been largely eliminated with improved engineering
and the appropriate use of setbacks from residences. Modern utility-scale turbines
typically turn slowly, in the range of about 15-32 rpm so the sound of the rotors
is “swoosh, swoosh” – not mechanical. One can have a normal
conversation at the base of the tower without raising your voice and the turbine
at 300 metres away has about the noise level of a kitchen refrigerator.
Do wind farms contribute
to local communities?
Yes, wind farms can significantly
contribute to local communities by:
generating revenue for farmers, ranchers and other landowners,
paying property tax to the municipality, and
increased commerce due to the purchase of goods and services during the construction
and operation of the wind farm.
