Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => The Environment => Topic started by: george on 04/01/2007 04:17:44

Title: Will wind generators affect air circulation on Earth?
Post by: george on 04/01/2007 04:17:44

If we build enough wind turbines, will this have a detrimental effect on winds around the Earth?

Title: Re: Will wind generators affect air circulation on Earth?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 04/01/2007 14:22:37

I think you'd need a hell of a lot to have even a small effect. Consider the volume of the atmosphere and how small turbines are in comparison.

Title: Will wind generators affect air circulation on Earth?
Post by: rooknut on 16/01/2007 12:06:36

The difference would be negligible. True, we are building more and more wind turbines, but on the other side of world we are tearing down rain forests for flat, windy farmlands, so it would probably even out.

Title: Will wind generators affect air circulation on Earth?
Post by: DrN on 17/01/2007 00:53:56

turbines don't make wind, they interupt the wind as it naturally flows, and take some of its energy. (sorry to state the obvious, but some people really do think that they act like fans and 'blow'!)

so they do take some of the energy out of the wind, but presumably less than tower blocks, skyscrapers, even mountains, do when they stand in the way of a gust. I can't believe there could be any measurable effect really.