Diminishing Returns

Following on from the US NAS report, one thing is clear: if every turbine reduces wind energy by 50%, (as pointed out in the report), the stated generated capacity for these developments is even further from the truth!

We know that individual tubines never generate nameplate capacity, and that capacity factors range from 23% (onshore), up to 40% (offshore), but it’s clearly going to even less when downwind turbines are affected by this phenomena and wake turbulence.

So the figure in all the planning applications and PR, together with the ‘number of homes this will power’ is even further from the truth!

Regulators should be demanding developers publish real data from operational wind energy projects. Further, carbon balance, and payback calculations will be even further skewed suggesting grounds for objection in planning consultation.