Wind power growth limited by radar conflicts

[phantom power]

WASHINGTON--The most well-known obstacles to installing wind turbines are complaints over their visual impact and the potential for bird and bat deaths. But conflict with radar systems have derailed over 9,000 megawatts worth of wind capacity--nearly as much as was installed in the U.S. last year.

...

The problem is wind farms create "cones of silence" above them, making it difficult for primary radar systems to detect airplanes when they fly over them, Seifert explained. Planes with transponders can communicate with air traffic control towers, but smaller planes don't all have transponders.

Because of radar issues, 2,100 megawatts of wind projects were held up, 5,100 megawatts were deferred, and 2,100 megawatts were abandoned, he said, citing data from a survey done by the American Wind Energy Association. Last year, 10,000 megawatts were installed in the U.S.

...

Working with stakeholders early on in a wind development project can also address issues.

But the problem is that it's unclear "who owns the liability of the sky," he said. Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, and the Federal Aviation Administration could all be involved in addressing the situation.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10447450-54.html

[madokie]

1. Could it possibly be only roadblocks

fueled by the gas, oil, coal and nuclear power proponents

[phantom power]

2. Seems real to me, but you could ask somebody in the ATC industry.

:shrug:

[kristopher]

4. It's a real problem but like all other real issues it is being exploited to a degree.

The amount of wind projects that the article describes as "derailed" included a large number that actually are just delayed for review. It is a standard move for opponents to try to use radar interference as a delaying tactic. For example, on the Cape Wind project there was no concern about the issue by any relevant aviation authorities until political pressure stirred a year and half "review" that ended up back where they started - no problem.

But there is a real issue in some cases. To my knowledge it isn't nearly as significant as the OP states (they make it seem like we are out of room with no conflict - that's absurd) but including an experimental "stealth blade...three potential solutions are under consideration, including a software fix and efforts to 'factor out' whole wind farms."

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10442876-54.html

The article was linked at the bottom of the CNET page from the OP.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

3. No, in this case its physics

[timeforpeace]

5. Another ignored limitation is when the wind isn't blowing.

[TxRider]

6. ignored? hardly

That's why they mostly put them up where the wind blows almost all the time.

Like say, west Texas... Instead of east Texas.

[OnlinePoker]

7. How far up do these "cones of silence" reach?

I don't see it in the article. Is this an issue for commercial airliners that fly 7 to 10 miles up or only light aircraft that normally fly under 10,000 feet?