Wind farms’ biggest problems might actually be their greatest strength

Although they are an important source of clean electricity, wind farms do have some drawbacks, with inconsistency and extreme weather events high on the list. Another major criticism is that wind turbines rely on local weather conditions and winds to produce electricity, but this disadvantage could actually be an incredible advantage that would help improve the overall wind energy infrastructure.

In an article published in the journal Nature Energy, Julie K. Lundquist of Johns Hopkins University called unpredictable winds, extreme weather and turbine wake effects — which refers to the change in wind flow after contact with a turbine — as opportunities to learn more about the atmosphere. As she put it, “filling some key gaps in scientific knowledge can accelerate progress toward a more reliable and resilient wind energy future.”

Given that wind power is the most popular renewable energy source in the United States and accounts for approximately 11% of global energy consumption, understanding how technology affects and is influenced by nature is crucial to building more resilient wind farms and developing more efficient practices. Collecting data on things like wind patterns and the impact of different weather conditions on energy production can help researchers better understand the lower atmosphere, turning a problem into a potential solution.

As more wind farms are built, it becomes increasingly important to study the wake effects of wind turbines. By design, wind turbines disturb the surrounding air, and at least one study has determined that wakes affect downwind vegetation either positively or negatively. They can also reduce electricity production by 10-40%. These are two examples of why wind farms must be carefully designed and placed in areas that minimize any negative impact on the environment or on their own capabilities.

Instead of being affected by the wake effect, further research could exploit it by optimizing elements such as the distribution and positioning of wind turbines. Some wind farms could even help wind flow to places where demand is higher and supply lower, helping the UK save more than £1 billion in constraint payments.

Even if researchers and others are able to see wind power’s downsides as upsides, it will take some time for this data to translate into solutions. Fortunately, wind energy innovation is currently alive and well across the globe. There are stunning futuristic prototypes like the Chinese flying wind turbine, but other inventions like bladeless wind turbines that generate electricity by swinging seem much easier to implement on a larger scale to help us move toward a more sustainable energy grid.