Wind power is not only bird-killing, noise-polluting, eyesore-causing, cost-prohibiting, vegetative-decreasing, but its intermittency leads to periods of overproduction or power shortages that require reliance on traditional technologies as backup
Wind Turbines Reduce the Productivity of Surrounding Vegetation
Many of wind energy's problems, such as its intermittent nature; its slaying birds, bats and other animals; its noise pollution; its degradation of vistas; and its higher costs compared to traditional technologies are well known. The latest study, however, shows that it also reduces the productivity of surrounding vegetation. The study finds that wind turbines elevated both day and night temperatures, which suppressed soil moisture and enhanced water stress, decreasing local vegetative growth and productivity. Further, wind requires 5 to 6 times more land than traditional technologies (coal, natural gas and nuclear) for the same amount of capacity and 12 times more when generating capability is also considered.
A number of recent studies discuss these issues and are highlighted below.
