News
Offshore wind farms bring concerns over radar systems
Federal aviation and defense officials said a primary concern is that tall wind turbines can adversely affect radar systems, not only by physically blocking them but by generating interference.
The blades of a turbine spinning at 200 mph on a 400-foot-high stand will generate enough "clutter" to mimic a Boeing 747 jetliner, said Nancy Kalinowski of the Federal Aviation Administration.
June 30, 2010
by Bill Bartel
in The Virginian-Pilot
The push to develop wind farms off Virginia's coast and elsewhere is bringing to light concerns about a complex federal approval process and about how the giant turbines might affect air travel and national security, a congressional subcommittee was told Tuesday.
Testifying before the House Armed Services' Readiness Subcommittee in Washington, a wind energy executive said the industry has been talking for four years with federal officials about how to develop a more specific process for federal review of the wind farms.
"If we don't have a better system for engaging with federal agencies on radar and airspace issues... then wind projects... [continue via Web link]
| < prev | next > |
Note: this article may be subject to the Fair Use Notice.