Hmmmmm....I've heard KS referred to as the 'Saudi Arabia of wind'. Wind is a renewable energy source. There seems to be a lot of debate as to the economic feasibility of putting up these huge turbines. (What is the cost/benefit return?) I know that there have been a lot of 'incentives' from the federal govt. for companies investing in renewable resources. The heavy equipment needed to haul in the turbine parts during construction caused a great deal of damage to county roads and the pastures (prairie ecosystems) they were constructed in. Additionally, I know that there are some concerns about the 'footprint' that remains with the turbines present (how they are affecting the plant-life below, etc.) and their effect on wildlife, especially migratory birds. I know that many Kansans have concerns about how long these turbines will remain functional and what will happen when they either break down or become obsolete. I'm feeling at this point like I don't know a whole lot and have many more questions than answers...lol.
Hmmmm, what do I know about 'wind energy'? *I know that Wind Energy may be the 'new energy focus' but it is not new in use. In fact, my neighbor's father's farm/home was completely self sufficient due to use of wind energy when he was growing up. *We are in a good location in north central Kansas for its use. *After set up costs, it should be a less expensive way to produce energy. *I know that they have put a wind farm between Concordia and Hwy 24. * I don't know as much as I would like to.
Wind energy is not my strong suit, but I am very willing to learn. I think wind energy has been a valuable part of family farms for many year. It was the way water was accessed by the farmers for their livestock. I feel we live in a good location to take advantage of wind energy. I also think wind energy should be cheaper for us to produce than other methods. Being from Kansas , I would think that much needed revenue could be generated from Wind Energy Farms so why not take advantage of it.
What I know about windfarms is very limited. I know that many years ago the farmsteads used windmills to sustain their farms and that that source of energy seems to be returning to our area. I know that there has been, and still are, many windfarms that have been built across Kansas. I assume that windfarms produce less pollution than fossil fuels as well as being renewable. I also know the cost of setting up a wind generator is costly, but think that once that initial cost is paid for, the electricity produced would pay for itself. As I think about what I know about wind farms, I realize there are many questions that I am hoping this class will answer.
I know that wind farm planning takes into account average wind speeds, proximity to translator stations, protected wild life and how a wind farm will effect the landscape of the location. I know that residents are concerned about noise polution as well. I hear many comments from residents about how often wind turbines appear to be broke down. I know that regular maintenance takes place twice a year, that three blades are used mostly because they balance well, that it takes electricity to make electricity, and that careers in the wind energy area are growing. I know that land owners are approached individually and sign contracts to keep the amount they are paid quiet. Government money has slowed which has slowed down production. I know that my local plant used coal, which has to be brought to southwest Kansas and must cost a lot for transportation. I could go on, but I don't know that all of my bits and pieces come together to create a complete picture. I want to fill in those gaps so that I can teach confidently.
I do not know a whole lot about wind farms. I know that there are different wind zones that are better for producing wind energy. I know that there are programs that schools and communities can take part in to get turbines to run the school but that it is very costly. I know that some towns have laws prohibiting residents from installing wind turbines. I have watched semis hauling turbines go through town. The blades are huge. I know that the wind farm near Salina is growing and that other communities like Hays and Stockton have decided not to put in turbines. I wonder a lot about the cost and environmental risks associated with wind power. I know that Holland has a lot of wind energy. I remember seeing all the turbines when we flew in there. I wonder what environmental studies have been done in that country and how that would compare to our ecosystems and the effect on ecosystems here.
Your comment about the turbines moving through town - I am amazed at how long some of them are and the extent to which a trailer has to be built to accommodate it.
Flame Engineering in LaCrosse has had a turbine for several years ( as long as I have known it to be). I have always been amazed at how quiet it is yet I always hear people say they are frustrated with how loud they are. That is probably the first turbine I have every seen working, and it very seldom is not moving based on when I drive through town. They have obviously had great results or otherwise they would be keep up the maintenance on it. -I know there is always a carbon footprint and you want to maximize that area. -The turbines have to be a certain height in order to eliminate obstructions that could hinder getting the most out of the turbine. -Turbines can pay for themselves in the summer but it is more difficult to justify them in the winter; Kansas winds blow significantly more during the summer than in the winter. Since electricity cannot be stored there needs to be a backup source during the non-turning months. -There is at least one school in Kansas that currently has a turbine but does not personally use the electricity it generates. It was more cost effective to sell it back to the grid so that is what it does. I would like to look at something like that for our farm.
Your question of "the age of the oldest wind farms. . ." is excellent. I wonder how long it takes to break even with the initial cost. In the beginning these things were really expensive, and they still are not pocket change today.
Hmmmmm....I've heard KS referred to as the 'Saudi Arabia of wind'. Wind is a renewable energy source. There seems to be a lot of debate as to the economic feasibility of putting up these huge turbines. (What is the cost/benefit return?) I know that there have been a lot of 'incentives' from the federal govt. for companies investing in renewable resources. The heavy equipment needed to haul in the turbine parts during construction caused a great deal of damage to county roads and the pastures (prairie ecosystems) they were constructed in. Additionally, I know that there are some concerns about the 'footprint' that remains with the turbines present (how they are affecting the plant-life below, etc.) and their effect on wildlife, especially migratory birds. I know that many Kansans have concerns about how long these turbines will remain functional and what will happen when they either break down or become obsolete. I'm feeling at this point like I don't know a whole lot and have many more questions than answers...lol.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, what do I know about 'wind energy'?
ReplyDelete*I know that Wind Energy may be the 'new energy focus' but it is not new in use. In fact, my neighbor's father's farm/home was completely self sufficient due to use of wind energy when he was growing up.
*We are in a good location in north central Kansas for its use.
*After set up costs, it should be a less expensive way to produce energy.
*I know that they have put a wind farm between Concordia and Hwy 24.
* I don't know as much as I would like to.
Wind energy is not my strong suit, but I am very willing to learn. I think wind energy has been a valuable part of family farms for many year. It was the way water was accessed by the farmers for their livestock. I feel we live in a good location to take advantage of wind energy. I also think wind energy should be cheaper for us to produce than other methods. Being from Kansas , I would think that much needed revenue could be generated from Wind Energy Farms so why not take advantage of it.
ReplyDeleteWhat I know about windfarms is very limited. I know that many years ago the farmsteads used windmills to sustain their farms and that that source of energy seems to be returning to our area. I know that there has been, and still are, many windfarms that have been built across Kansas. I assume that windfarms produce less pollution than fossil fuels as well as being renewable. I also know the cost of setting up a wind generator is costly, but think that once that initial cost is paid for, the electricity produced would pay for itself. As I think about what I know about wind farms, I realize there are many questions that I am hoping this class will answer.
ReplyDeleteI know that wind farm planning takes into account average wind speeds, proximity to translator stations, protected wild life and how a wind farm will effect the landscape of the location. I know that residents are concerned about noise polution as well. I hear many comments from residents about how often wind turbines appear to be broke down. I know that regular maintenance takes place twice a year, that three blades are used mostly because they balance well, that it takes electricity to make electricity, and that careers in the wind energy area are growing. I know that land owners are approached individually and sign contracts to keep the amount they are paid quiet. Government money has slowed which has slowed down production. I know that my local plant used coal, which has to be brought to southwest Kansas and must cost a lot for transportation. I could go on, but I don't know that all of my bits and pieces come together to create a complete picture. I want to fill in those gaps so that I can teach confidently.
ReplyDeleteI do not know a whole lot about wind farms. I know that there are different wind zones that are better for producing wind energy. I know that there are programs that schools and communities can take part in to get turbines to run the school but that it is very costly. I know that some towns have laws prohibiting residents from installing wind turbines. I have watched semis hauling turbines go through town. The blades are huge. I know that the wind farm near Salina is growing and that other communities like Hays and Stockton have decided not to put in turbines. I wonder a lot about the cost and environmental risks associated with wind power. I know that Holland has a lot of wind energy. I remember seeing all the turbines when we flew in there. I wonder what environmental studies have been done in that country and how that would compare to our ecosystems and the effect on ecosystems here.
ReplyDeleteYour comment about the turbines moving through town - I am amazed at how long some of them are and the extent to which a trailer has to be built to accommodate it.
DeleteFlame Engineering in LaCrosse has had a turbine for several years ( as long as I have known it to be). I have always been amazed at how quiet it is yet I always hear people say they are frustrated with how loud they are. That is probably the first turbine I have every seen working, and it very seldom is not moving based on when I drive through town. They have obviously had great results or otherwise they would be keep up the maintenance on it.
ReplyDelete-I know there is always a carbon footprint and you want to maximize that area.
-The turbines have to be a certain height in order to eliminate obstructions that could hinder getting the most out of the turbine.
-Turbines can pay for themselves in the summer but it is more difficult to justify them in the winter; Kansas winds blow significantly more during the summer than in the winter. Since electricity cannot be stored there needs to be a backup source during the non-turning months.
-There is at least one school in Kansas that currently has a turbine but does not personally use the electricity it generates. It was more cost effective to sell it back to the grid so that is what it does. I would like to look at something like that for our farm.
Your question of "the age of the oldest wind farms. . ." is excellent. I wonder how long it takes to break even with the initial cost. In the beginning these things were really expensive, and they still are not pocket change today.
ReplyDelete