Wind turbines

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Could wind turbines sufficiently extract enough energy that we could measure a sustained overall decrease in wind intensity at the ground level?

I think that between the spacing of the turbines, their height, blade density as a percentage of the swept disc area, and the mean elevation wind velocity, where the turbine blades perform, would be so different than at ground level, that we'd never be able to discern or measure a difference.
I've watched them out in Jack County, where my power comes from. They're essentially 'nothing' compared to the spatial environment in which the inhabit. Really insignificant. Like infinity compared to a gnat's whisker.

[redpoint5]

Tangent thought, since tidal changes are likely to cause more problems as sea level rises, perhaps we could create a lock that harvests the tidal energy. It would generate predictable electricity while buffering the tide level inland. 2 stones with 1 bird.

[freebeard]

Now your onto Moon Power.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Tangent thought, since tidal changes are likely to cause more problems as sea level rises, perhaps we could create a lock that harvests the tidal energy. It would generate predictable electricity while buffering the tide level inland. 2 stones with 1 bird.

I've read of a half-dozen or so, commercial-scale facilities going after it. Part of a mix, to help with intermittency issues.

[redpoint5]

Tidal power still suffers intermittency, but that's an easier problem than unpredictability.

Being both intermittent and unpredictable create all sorts of design compromises and inefficiencies. Currently we deal with these electrical sources by either having them represent such an insignificant source, or by diluting the real cost of implementing them across all the other sources of electricity, or by subsidization.

[freebeard]

Large scale: tidal impound with hydraulic ram to raise water into pumped storage.

Small scale: oscillating water column with Trompe air compressor for storage.


[ibid]

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Could wind turbines sufficiently extract enough energy that we could measure a sustained overall decrease in wind intensity at the ground level?

Oh I hope so but I ain't feeling it.

[oil pan 4]

Wind turbine coup de grace.

what did the block of c4 say to the wind turbine: alla ackbar

[freebeard]

Fell downwind.

Didn't take much of a breeze.

[oil pan 4]

In the first video they blew up 2 at the same time and they fell towards each other.