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Predicted Annual Avian (BIRD) Mortality
Mid-range of fatality estimates reported from Klem (1990), 1 – 10 bird fatalities per house, extrapolated to 100 million residences
Buildings- 550 million, 58.2 %
Power lines- 130 million, 13.7 %
Cats- 100 million, 10.6 %
Automobiles- 80 million, 8.5 %
Pesticides- 67 million, 7.1 %
Communications towers- 4.5 million, 0.5 %
Wind turbines- 28.5 thousand, 0.01 % (1/100th of 1%)
Airplanes- 25 thousand, 0.01 %
Other sources (oil spills, oil seeps, fishing by-catch, etc.) not calculated
Source: http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/publications/documents/psw_gtr191/Asilomar/pdfs/1029-1042.pdf
Go Fly a Kite TEST
Understanding wind energy potential is child’s play, so before you think, “Go fly a kite...” try this yourself.
Wind currents are inhibited at ground level by terrain, buildings, trees and other topographical features; and this is best understood when considering the process of flying a kite. Under low wind conditions it is possible to get the kite airborne, by running with the kite in tow and progressively letting out string, allowing the kite to rise higher in the air. Once the kite is a few feet off of the ground, the wind currents that are unapparent at ground level are strong enough to sustain the flight, and you no longer need to run to make wind.
Wind turbines capitalize on the same principles, as the rotors are placed aloft to capture wind currents that are not apparent at ground level. Don’t be fooled by the tranquility of your back yard when the real savings are flowing past just a few feet overhead!
Call one of our energy consultants at PlanetTurbine.com today for a preliminary site assessment information packet.
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Investment Considerations for Wind Systems
--Mick Sagrillo, Sagrillo Power & Light
Last month we examined the shortsighted view of evaluating a wind system in terms of "payback," and the problems with this line of thought. A wind system is an investment, and should therefore be evaluated with the same yardsticks as other investments of similar value. Some of these considerations must include:
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Payback: The wrong question.
--Mick Sagrillo, Sagrillo Power & Light
When discussing wind turbines, I frequently am asked the question: "So, what’s the payback?" More often than not, the question comes from someone who just drove up in a new 4x4 full-sized, king-cab, long-bed pickup truck that serves as their "commuter" vehicle, getting a dazzling 14 miles to the gallon, maybe. I am always dumbfounded.
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