[jamest (OP)]

Thanks to Rory for this thought provoking question:

With all the huge wind farms that are being commissioned, what effect will this have on the kinetic energy remaining in the lower atmosphere and what does it mean for the weather?

[Bored chemist]

Any direct effect will be tiny.
The reduction in CO2 might be significant.

[paul cotter]

The total amount of energy present in weather phenomena, all provided by solar energy, is so great in comparison to the tiny pittance harvested by man that I reckon there would be no measureable effects even with the projected increase in wind farms. Possibly short range effects in the local vicinity of wind farms is all there would be.

[Petrochemicals]

None really, kinetic enegy that has been created through heat energy will be released once more as heat energy, to create wind once more. About half of the uk energy usage goes toward space heating, not including electrical heating.  Some will be tied up in things like metal production, but this is only a very small percentage. Other energy is mostly cars, planes, hot water and other avenues that create heat, thus leading to energy in the atmosphere.

[Petrochemicals]

The total amount of energy present in weather phenomena, all provided by solar energy, is so great in comparison to the tiny pittance harvested by man that I reckon there would be no measureable effects even with the projected increase in wind farms. Possibly short range effects in the local vicinity of wind farms is all there would be.

I think solar could have quite an effect, hose black panels absorb the suns enery and only 20 percent is converted to leccy.

[Bored chemist]

The total amount of energy present in weather phenomena, all provided by solar energy, is so great in comparison to the tiny pittance harvested by man that I reckon there would be no measureable effects even with the projected increase in wind farms. Possibly short range effects in the local vicinity of wind farms is all there would be.

I think solar could have quite an effect, hose black panels absorb the suns enery and only 20 percent is converted to leccy.

Lol

What do you think usually happens to the radiation from the sun?

[vhfpmr]

The total amount of energy present in weather phenomena, all provided by solar energy, is so great in comparison to the tiny pittance harvested by man that I reckon there would be no measureable effects even with the projected increase in wind farms. Possibly short range effects in the local vicinity of wind farms is all there would be.

I think solar could have quite an effect, hose black panels absorb the suns enery and only 20 percent is converted to leccy.

Lol

What do you think usually happens to the radiation from the sun?

Some of it gets reflected, but less if the albedo changes.

[Billy Fisher]

Good question! I think the impact of wind farms on the lower atmosphere is probably smaller than most people think. I?ve read that while wind farms do take energy from the wind, the amount is pretty small compared to the vast energy in the atmosphere. Locally, there could be slight changes in wind patterns or temperatures, but nothing that would significantly alter weather systems in the long run. I imagine the overall effect might be more noticeable in areas with a high concentration of these farms, but globally, it's unlikely to have a big impact. It?s definitely something worth keeping an eye on, though, as the number of wind farms grows.