Wind Power
The U.K is the windiest country in Europe. Large scale wind turbines, on sites where the annual average wind speed exceeds about 6 m/s, can generate electricity at commercially viable rates. The 'Achilles heel' of wind turbines is the variability of output. Usually this is overcome by using the national grid as a “bank account” where “deposits” can be made when there is a surplus of power and “withdrawals” can be made where there is a deficit.
There is however a limit to how much variability the national grid can absorb, making wind a finite resource. Controversy about the apparent blighting of landscapes shows no sign of abating, although off-shore turbines alone could satisfy the practical limit of UK wind power penetration.
There is currently much debate about the benefit of wind turbines in urban applications unless they are mounted far away from obstructions which may “shadow” them or cause turbulence. Noise must also be a consideration, especially in residential areas.
