Wind turbines, do they affect radio and TV

[KAZ12MAR12]

Well: after the aforementioned request for a contribution under this title, I hope that I am in order to solicit opinions for our (My village) very topical "Problem".
The Milton Keynes Planners have written to us requesting comments and objections to the siting of 15 WIND TURBINES each up to 120metres high about 3/4 miles from us. I have already asked the Planners to get assurance that the emminated acoustic noise will not affect us but have a niggling feeling that "TV Picture flutter" could affect some as well as low level subliminal "Hum".
I don't accept that I'm a "NIMBY" type and, in fact I think that they (the towers), look very elegant but I consider that power generated from wave power would be far more sustainable and less intrusive.
Any advise or comments would be appreciated!!
Regards
John

[DODGERN]

I have already asked the Planners to get assurance that the emminated acoustic noise will not affect us but have a niggling feeling that "TV Picture flutter" could affect some as well as low level subliminal "Hum".

Regards
John

You could well be right John.
Our first local wind farm was at Winterton on Sea a few miles from Gt. Yarmouth. I remember that they had all sorts of problems with TV reception. Eventually I believe they had to install another mast and re-sight the aerials. The sets also required re-tuning to a different RF frequency.

Roger.

[AlanBeckett]

I would have thought that advice on the effects of wind turbines on radio and TV reception was relevant, although I think it should be in the General Chat Section.
Alan

[Mark R]

I feel there is suitable discussion regarding the effects of wind turbines on radio and TV reception. However, please keep it to that and not planning or local council decisions. Up to now I have seen no rant, please keep it that way.

cheers Mark

[Aerodyne]

John, I believe you have a valid point about the efficiency of wind farms. For my OU thesis I wrote about sustainable power sources and found that tidal power is both more efficient and more reliable than wind power and probably less expensive in the long run re maintenance. Initial costs are high and there's always the environmentalist lobby to take into account, but barriers across the Severn estuary, Morecambe Bay and the wash would potential provide far better return for investment and definitely be less visually obtrusive - nor would a barrier affect TV reception...
-Tony

[Retired]

Hi,

I worked for an international company and one of our group actually makes these wind turbines. I visited a couple of years ago and was informed that these turbines weigh something like 24 tons each?

With my mechanical engineering background I do wonder why it is necessary to hoist a 24 ton piece of equipment so high into the air when it would be possible to simply erect the actual propeller and couple it to a turbine on the ground via shaft and bevel gears making installation and repairs easier. I've never seen a completed turbine in action close up but assume the propeller is directly coupled?

Kind regards, Col.

[DODGERN]

They could also fit solar panels on the outside to produce some power on windless days.

Roger.

[ppppenguin]

....but assume the propeller is directly coupled?

Most units have a gearbox to step up the speed to something more suitable for driving a generator but according to this article there are now some direct drive units.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_turbine

[Retired]

Hi,

Many thanks Jeffrey for the link to an interesting site. I note floating wind turbines are also used.

When these big wind turbines go wrong they do so with catastrophic results; caching fire and a whole bank of them losing their blades; I should not want to be near one of these on a bad day.

I wondered why the turbine was not mounted at ground level and it was interesting to read the following extract from the website;

"With a vertical axis, the generator and gearbox can be placed near the ground, using a direct drive from the rotor assembly to the ground-based gearbox, hence improving accessibility for maintenance".

I agree with Tony regarding the use of tidal power. A small stream can rotate a water turbine to drive an entire flour mill so what could tidal power drive given the vast quantity of sea water involved?

Kind regards, Col.