[ RadSafe ] World's Biggest Wind Park -Capacity Factor vs. Nuclear

[Borisky, Michael (Civ, ARL/ADLO)]

Radsafers,

Has anyone ever been concerned about or studied the possibility that
interfering with natural wind motion might have a subtle if not serious
impact on the ecology in the local area surrounding the windmills?
Similarly, I've always been curious about how contaminated soil is
passed through high temperature furnaces to burn or degrade contaminants
apparently without any regard for soil insects and micro-organisms in
the soil, which I was taught in ecology courses in the 70's are an
important parts of the ecological system.  And I've always been curious
about how interfering with ocean waves to generate energy would affect
the ecosystem of the shore line.  And one more, I've always been curious
about how a large use of solar cells might affect the natural
absorption/reflection of sunlight and thus potentially affect the
ecology.  I realize these effects might be very subtle in some cases,
but the ecology course I have had characterized ecological systems as
complex, interdependent, very fragile, and susceptible to even subtle
effects.

Mike Borisky
Army Research Lab
    

-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl [mailto:radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl] On
Behalf Of Maury Siskel
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 4:30 AM
To: James Salsman
Cc: radsafe at radlab.nl
Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] World's Biggest Wind Park -Capacity Factor vs.
Nuclear

Uh oh, James, your natural selection just fell into the turbine where 
your hub circular velocity exceeded your tip speed. You in a heap a' 
fused do do now! 480 ls indeed.....  Wonder what has gone astray with 
the unfortunate birds that seem unable to learn to avoid large glass 
surfaces on high rise buildings -- perhaps they need new compasses. 
Doubtless you are developing an improvement that will point to all 
directions instead of merely north and south.

You should go back and read the Farber LOBA story -- you'll love it; I 
recall it fondly every time the wind farms sail past-- one of the best 
humor pieces available in spite of its age.

Maury&Dog
====================
James Salsman wrote:

> The tip velocity may be higher, but the overall risk of collision
> is much lower now.  Those of us who understand natural selection are 
> convinced that birds will learn to avoid the turbines; it's not a 
> particularly difficult behavior.  Starlings migrate, too.
>
> Wind as well as hydro and solar are all fusion power available
> today, with the reactor reasonably sited eight light-minutes away.
>
> Sincerely,
> James Salsman
>
>
> Stewart Farber wrote:
>
>> RE: Lies, damned lies, and statistics
>>
>> Hello all,
>
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