Wind turbines 'may actually do more harm than good'

mkpdavies · 13-11-2006, 07:28 PM

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1770

Quote:

But now environmental campaigners say the windmills are not quite what they claim to be - and may actually do more harm than good.

As well as being noisy and unsightly, they barely produce enough electricity to power a hairdryer in many houses.

They also do nothing to tackle greenhouses gases, while there are far better ways to cut down on energy bills.

Although there are currently just 650 home wind turbines installed that number is set to grow massively as the makers of the most popular wind turbine, Windsave, have had orders of more than 15,000 ahead of Christmas for their WS1000 unit which sells for just under £1,500 at B&Q.

Fans of wind turbines include David Cameron, who plans to install one in his west London home, Jamie Oliver, and the new science minister Malcolm Wicks.

But Friends of the Earth expert Nick Rau said there are other more practical - if less fashionable - ways of saving energy.

'A wind turbine on the roof is a glamourous statement - people want to be seen to be doing something.

'But loft or cavity wall insulation may be more effective - and will probably pay for itself a lot quicker.'

Cavity wall insulation costs around £300-£500 and can save around £150 a year in fuel bils. Wind turbines could only make a similar saving if perched on house on top of a hill in the countryside.

But turbines in towns suffer from a lack of wind - as tall buildings block the air supply. The average windspeed in Britain is 5.6 metres per second - roughly enough to generate around half a kilowatt of electricity, or enough to power a hairdryer.

This would work out at a maximum saving of £100 a year - so it would take around 15 years to pay for itself.

Another enviroscam exposed.

Quote:

B&Q said the turbines are on sale in 107 out of their 320 shops. She said: 'Since going on sale, the biggest selling product line in value out of 43,000 items is our £1,500 wind turbine.'

Scotland has had the biggest sales so far, followed by the West Midlands, London and the Home Counties.

To make them things go round you need blowers, not SUCKERS.

Internationalist · 13-11-2006, 07:33 PM

Unfortunately, Matt, cavity wall insulation does not provide the appropriate photo opportunity.

Hartlepool · 13-11-2006, 07:39 PM

The constant rise in people passing on the word about these machines tells you they are more than ok for the family home.

The fact that the powers that be say nothing at all about them tells us something too.

Get one,and get yourself a water drill kit while you're on.

Become Independent. :wink:

mkpdavies · 13-11-2006, 07:48 PM

Dude, they barely give you enough energy to dry your hair.

Spend the money on something that REALLY will make you independent, not some scam that Cameron endorses, so it must be ****.

Hartlepool · 13-11-2006, 07:59 PM

I thought you would of listened to someone who has had one for more than a year. Nomind,if you aint tried it.......

Anyway,why do you quote a rat like Cameron?

I have just moved home to the Beach Marina,wish I had one here,no good in over heavy winds tho.

mkpdavies · 13-11-2006, 08:04 PM

Give me some stats on the saving you have made with yours then.

Hartlepool · 13-11-2006, 08:08 PM

It was in 2002 in Caribbean.Govt issue on test status,supplied everything I needed tho.

Hartlepool · 13-11-2006, 08:10 PM

Coral dust was a problem on two occasions,they just hosed it down from a hydrant.

They worked ok for us.

mkpdavies · 13-11-2006, 08:13 PM

Do you have one now?

Internationalist · 13-11-2006, 08:15 PM

The question is whether you would buy one at commercial rates - not subsidised - and whether it would be worth it compared to other options.

13-11-2006, 07:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 31,055 Party: Libertarian Party	Dude, they barely give you enough energy to dry your hair. Spend the money on something that REALLY will make you independent, not some scam that Cameron endorses, so it must be ****. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

13-11-2006, 08:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 31,055 Party: Libertarian Party	Give me some stats on the saving you have made with yours then. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

13-11-2006, 08:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 31,055 Party: Libertarian Party	Do you have one now? __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

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13-11-2006, 07:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Internationalist Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,088	Unfortunately, Matt, cavity wall insulation does not provide the appropriate photo opportunity.

13-11-2006, 07:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
Hartlepool Uber Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North East England Posts: 6,814 Party: Popular Democrats	The constant rise in people passing on the word about these machines tells you they are more than ok for the family home. The fact that the powers that be say nothing at all about them tells us something too. Get one,and get yourself a water drill kit while you're on. Become Independent. :wink:

13-11-2006, 07:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
Hartlepool Uber Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North East England Posts: 6,814 Party: Popular Democrats	I thought you would of listened to someone who has had one for more than a year. Nomind,if you aint tried it....... Anyway,why do you quote a rat like Cameron? I have just moved home to the Beach Marina,wish I had one here,no good in over heavy winds tho.

13-11-2006, 08:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
Hartlepool Uber Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North East England Posts: 6,814 Party: Popular Democrats	It was in 2002 in Caribbean.Govt issue on test status,supplied everything I needed tho.

13-11-2006, 08:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
Hartlepool Uber Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North East England Posts: 6,814 Party: Popular Democrats	Coral dust was a problem on two occasions,they just hosed it down from a hydrant. They worked ok for us.

13-11-2006, 08:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
Internationalist Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,088	The question is whether you would buy one at commercial rates - not subsidised - and whether it would be worth it compared to other options.