The wake effect of wind turbines extends far beyond their base. How would the weather on farms nearby be affected if 75 wind turbines were installed in North East?
Here’s an interesting photo taken off the coast of Denmark. We seldom get a chance to see a clear visual illustration of how a wind turbine affects its neighbors. When weather conditions are right, the wake effect downwind of the turbines can form clouds and we can see that the wind becomes more turbulent and doesn’t flow as it normally would.
It makes you wonder what these downwind wake effects would do to other farms in the area. Would temperature and precipitation change, and if so, how? Would the shifting winds off of Lake Erie affect the crops on other farms differently as a result of having these turbines installed nearby?
We’re unaware of any studies that have been done and we think these are reasonable questions that need to be asked. How about you?
Segue C says
THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW, THIS MENTION COMES FROM A DOCUMENT JOHN DROZ PRESENTED TO NC GOVERNMENT:
8 – Many people don’t understand is that industrial wind projects can have significant impact on a considerable amount of soils and wetlands — due to their adverse effect on local meteorology. This issue has been assessed by independent scientists who have concluded that such wind projects can reduce ground level humidity by approximately 30%, and affect an area as much as 15 miles downwind from the development site.
http://www.atmos.illinois.edu/~sbroy/publ/jweia2011.pdf
mike dicenso says
Could a state like IOWA which is loaded with turbines have an effect on a weather system moving Eastward? Perhaps slowing the system down so it takes longer to move offshore? That could amount to extra damage as a storm stalls… just wondering.