Energy Issues for Scotlands Future: Wind Power - Essay Example

Energy Issues for Scotland's Future: Wind Power (School) December 23, 2006 Energy Issues for Scotland's Future: Wind Power The need for renewable energy resources has become a major concern throughout the world, with a sustainable supply of electricity for the next 30 years calling for a mix of fuels/technologies for sufficient generation of power (Energy, 2005). It is known that coal, gas, and oil create controversy and difficulties with unstable costs and decreasing supply, pollution, economic issues, and lack of renewability; and nuclear fission has been hampered or shut down by public concerns about nuclear waste. Renewables are an essential part of future energy mix. In this area, wind power has become a feasible option, especially in Scotland, but at present its future worth has not been fully determined. PART I According to UK Energy Minister Brian Wilson (Wind power blows, 2002), wind is one of Scotland's most plentiful natural resources and is less harmful to the environment than other energy resources. Wilson further considers the site near Peebles in the Scottish Borders one of the most powerful in the country with 24 wind turbines, each standing 75 metres high. If all planned wind farms go ahead, Wilson notes, the Borders will be the renewable energy capital of Britain, with more jobs for more people and the ability to help the Government meet its own targets of 10% of electricity being produced from sustainable energy by 2010. Issues Involving Use of Wind Power The optimism expressed by the energy minister, however, is one-sided and does not take into consideration any of the controversy surrounding use of wind power. Nick Goodall (2002) of the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) expresses his belief that the major issues involved in utilising wind resources are not technical but institutional. 'Planning' and 'Connection' are two areas of principal concern. One potential threat to further development of wind energy is the existence of small but vocal anti-wind farm activist groups. BWEA suggests that configuration of smaller-scale wind farms should be considered along with larger on- and offshore projects. Inclusive working groups should be established to consider the interests of all affected parties. Planning, connection and marketing issues require continued attention. Electricity generation accounts for only 20% of Scotland's energy needs according to the Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE) (Paterson, 2006), and the apparently simple resolution of using wind sources could take away from research into other renewable resources. However, if hydrogen technology increases sufficiently, IEE suggests that an increased electricity component might be necessary. Global considerations should be addressed when developing wind energy policies. Interactions between different policy instruments should be carefully assessed to avoid potential conflicts and inefficiencies. The decline of oil and gas fields of the UK continental shelf will increase Scotland's dependence on non-indigenous sources; in the longer term, global competition for primary energy will grow as global competitors increase along with gradual depletion of global resources. In use of wind, wave and tidal technologies, wind power represents the most feasible option; however the variability of wind power could create considerable technical challenges for the management of the grid and could necessitate substantial thermal back-up capacity (Paterson, Section 4, pp. 2-3). In Scotland, wind is taken for granted, but it definitely is not available at the same degree of power from day to day. A mix of generation technologies that can be connected at every level of the electricity supply chain needs to be developed. Some of the new technologies, particularly wind, introduce new challenges due to the inherent variability of power supply. In Scotland's government report on strategies for developing a renewable energy program (Choosing, 2005), rhetoric throughout the report overwhelms the details of exactly what strategies will be utilised by the Government to meet needs. Most of the report speaks of what is needed in the future, with very little in the way of methodology. It is an obvious fact that "Scotland, like other developed countries, is using an unfair and unsustainable share of the world's resources" (Choosing, 2005, 13:11). Scottish Executive urges Scotland to make economic growth a priority whilst breaking the link with environmental damage. Implementing sustainable development becomes a priority. One stumbling block to use of wind farms is the appearance of turbines on the landscape. Natural heritage supports farming, fishing, and communities on which they depend. Major sectors such as tourism, and the food and drink industry depend on the image and reputation of Scotland's natural environment. When construction of wind farms interferes with the view of the natural landscape, it has an economic impact that should be taken into consideration when determining benefits of this alternative energy source. For instance, with erection of 60 turbine towers off the coast of Cumbria, a beauty spot will be compromised. Each turbine would be 427 feet tall, and the complex would be capable of providing electricity to 160,000 homes. "The Solway Firth is one of the last unspoiled estuaries in the United Kingdom," says Brian Irving of the Solway Rural Initiative in protest against erection of these towers (Wind farm protest, para. 6). The basic strategy of the Executive is to work with the UK Government, NGOs, retailers and others to encourage public debate. Deep-water offshore wind, wave power, tidal stream and biomass are becoming increasingly important, but use of these sources will raise certain objections as well. In addition to environmental concerns, increased energy costs in the short-term will rise until supply meets demand for wind power as a source of electricity. Other areas to be considered are social values and consequences of energy distribution on employment opportunities, health, and energy affordability. In the long run, a balance is needed between environmental impact, security of supply, and concerns over fuel poverty. Scotland has the potential to be a leading source of renewable energy, especially in the area of wind power. PART II Issues of Concern to Community Educators The global issue as it applies to wind power throughout the world and how to educate the public on use of this renewable energy source can perhaps be portrayed through a case study involving a small community of 3200 villagers which has been approached by a large multi-national wind energy development company. The villagers are concerned about the appearance of the turbines across the natural landscape as well as the possibility that sheep grazing will be compromised. They are further concerned that they will lose control of the village to big business. As an educator, it is important to cover the environmental and social issues involved so that the villagers can be in charge of their own future. In a wind farm, according to Datschefski (2004), the designer's product should consist of renewable energy, and any community willing to look to the future by creating a sustainable product must take this into consideration. Initially, a clear understanding of the processes involved in wind turbines should be presented. The Mechanism of Wind Power Most modern wind turbines are three-bladed, with the rotor position maintained upwind using electrical motors in their yaw mechanism (which is used to turn the wind turbine against the wind). The difference between an ordinary windmill and a wind generator is the ability of the wind turbine to convert the mechanical energy to electricity through underground cables carrying power to the grid. Wind power is used in large-scale wind farms for national electrical grids as well as in small individual turbines for providing electricity to rural residences or grid-isolated locations. The key issue in use of wind power is intermittency, but, even so, it can be a significant source of clean electrical production. At present, no countries or electrical production sources-other than Denmark-produce more than 10% from wind energy, and most are below 2%. In Denmark, where three-bladed turbines are the norm, wind power now accounts for close to 20% of electrical consumption, and the Danes are urging further development of wind power. Locations for turbines must take into consideration wind speeds in areas chosen for large-scale production which should be "6 turbines per square km for 77-m diameter, 1.5 MW turbines on roughly 13% of total global land area (though that land would be available to other compatible uses such as farming)" (Wind Power: Theoretical potential, 2006). In determining how a wind farm might be constructed to create electricity for the village, it is important to keep in mind the connection between the company constructing the wind turbines and European companies who might still be involved in nuclear power. For instance, the company called Juice green electricity (which utilises offshore winds to create wind power) was targeted by Greenpeace regarding concern about nuclear power stations being connected to Juice and Innorgy since RWE, a German company involved in nuclear power recently bought the company that owns Juice (Greenpeace, 2002). Greenpeace responded by giving Juice a clean slate-"Juice is absolutely not going nuclear. Juice is a 100% clean, safe, renewable energy supply from water and wind power" (Greenpeace, 2002, para. 1). It is equally urged that any village considering a connection to a large development company make a detailed study of the company. Even in the case the company meets expectations, however, other challenges exist that must be dealt with before a decision is made: Challenges due to variability of wind supply Challenges due to interference with view of natural landscape Challenges related to cost Challenges related to economic situation Impact and Benefit of Wind Farm for Community It is the responsibility of community educators to see that working groups are established to determine the feasibility of a wind farm for a small village. Planning is the first step, and the first printout could be an overview of Denmark's successful use of wind farms. In a recent case study, Denmark was listed as having the highest penetration of wind power in its electricity supply systems of any country. Wind farms in Denmark are generally small clusters of 1.5 MW turbines in the 10-20 MW range and are widely dispersed across the country. With this profile, variations in output are less than for large and isolated wind farms. In addition, wind power in combination with heat and power generation systems offers district heating systems a short-term buffer. Another factor in Denmark's success is the strong interconnection with Germany and the Nordic countries and participation in the Nordpool power market. Nordpool is an important means for selling excess capacity and purchasing additional balancing power when necessary (Justus, 2005, 3.2.2, 13-14). The next step in a study of wind farms is to set up an investigation of the multi-national wind energy development company to make sure it meets the environmental standards of the villagers. The entire community needs to be involved in planning, connection, and marketing phases in making its decision. The educators have the responsibility of listing assets and liabilities, i.e.: Benefits - A wind farm forestalls or replaces need for conventional power plants that have the potential to pollute the environment. There is virtually no air, water, or soil pollution. Wind power is a renewable source of electricity. Installation is relatively quick and capacity is easy to add. Although it is currently more expensive, especially in the beginning, it is not affected by fuel price increases or supply disruptions. Liabilities - There is no doubt that the erection of several wind turbines will change the visual quality of the community, raising the question of how much of the village's economy is based on tourist trade and do the benefits offset the liability. Of less concern is the low-frequency sound. The turbines are not completely silent, but do not create noise pollution. It is also possible there might be grass or brush fires due to shorts in electrical cables, but this is uncommon. The biggest liability in a country where bird watching and wildlife habitats are part of Scotland's identity is avian mortality due to collisions with wind turbines, an issue that is presently under study. Once the community understands the pros and cons of installing wind turbines, they will be able to decide. References Choosing our future: Scotland's sustainable development strategy. (2005, December). Scottish Executive Publications. Retrieved December 19, 2006, from http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/12/1493902/39110 Datschefski, E. 2004. Technology Futures. Biothinking.com. Retrieved December 21, 2006, from http://www.biothinking.com/tf.htm Energy Issues for Scotland. (2005, July 14). Institute of Physics. Retrieved December 19, 2006, from http://www.iop.org/Our_Activities/Science_Policy/Consultations/Energy_and_Environment/file_2856.pdf Goodall, Nick. (2002, November 27). British Wind Energy Association. Retrieved December 19, 2006, from http://www.bwea.com/pdf/bweascotrenpot.pdf Greenpeace Responds. (2002, August/September) Ethical Consumer, EC78. Retrieved December 19, 2006, from http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/magazine/news/newsarchiveb.htm Justus, D. (2005). Case Study 5: Wind Power Integration into Electricity Systems. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Retrieved December 22, 2006, from http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/22/37/34878740.pdf Paterson, Graham. (2006, March 1). Institute of Electrical Engineers. Retrieved December 19, 2006, from http://www.iee.org/policy/submissions/sub748.pdf Wind farm blows into action. (2002, November 18). BBC News: Scotland. Retrieved December 19, 2006, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/2484345.stm Wind farm protest over 'unspoiled site'. BBC News: Scotland. Retrieved December 20, 2006, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2239468.stm Wind Power. (2006, December 19). Wikipedia. Retrieved December 20, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_power Read More