“turbine efficiency as a generator is bout 20-30% max for onshore so it would generate about enough energy for just less than 4,000 homes.

without the wind info (which the wind farm company will probably say is confidential) you can't prove otherwise until after they are built.

a proposal near here took over eight years because the comany had to extend the planning permission on the anemometer presumably because they didn't get the "right" readings for the application.

all pretty much a con as the rocs are big enough to make a tidy sum even if you are below double figures on generating capacity.”

“I'm not surprised, graydjames, that you've noticed the disparity in information - each side determines the best/worst case scenarios from their viewpoint to illustrate the point they wish to make at that time. The truth obviously lies somewhere inbetween, but you'll still not get a definitive statement and here's why:

The domestic/small industrial wind turbines you'll see pole-mounted here and there can operate independently of control, starting up when the wind blows, turning to face the prevailing direction and with some smart electronic smoothing circuits are unlikely to ever overproduce local consumption even when the wind may be excessive; arrangements are usually then made to store surplus in batteries or 'upload' to the grid. Of course if you are totally reliant on them, once your batteries are drained an there's no wind, you have no power.

Scale this technology up to the large installations like those at Low Spinney farm, and you introduce a whole additional load of engineering hurdles into the equation - when the wind blows, there's a lot of inertia to overcome given the mass of the blades and the changing balance of gravity as they turn, the resistance of the generator itself, and the friction of the gearbox and bearings too. Unlike their smaller cousins, these turbines typically need electrical systems to start the rotation, have powered orientation, cooling, and braking systems. They can only generate within average windspeeds within a certain range. As you can see this makes them not only mechanically less efficient, but when coupled to such a variable and intermittent drive source as the wind, no-one can actually give you an absolute outright declaration of what they will produce and for how often/long. For periods of time they will be drawing from the grid to remain operational.

As an electrical and mechanical engineer I find the design interesting and to some degree elegant, however what I find most disconcerting is how they're suddenly in vogue, something that has nothing to do with an advancement in the technology but more to do with generous government subsidy in the light of meeting Euro targets for green power generation.

Thus far they will never make a primary source of power generation, only a minor supplementary option, and if it weren't for the subsidy, economics would dictate that not many (if any) would be constructed. Obviously the locations chosen for them become a subjective struggle in themselves, and you may have read about the noise they make that some people have reported affects them and local wildlife. There's also a new phenomenon called 'flicker effect' that's being investigated too.”

“Perhaps they could attach solar panels to these structures so when the wind isn't blowing, hopefully, the sun will be shining and "sustainable" electricity can be produced in that way.

Another doubtful prospect!!”

“Energy prices seem to be rising quite happily wind farms or no wind farms.

I wish there was some unbiased information available for these wind farms. They seem to cause so much controversy and all we get from either side is obviously biased statistics and facts spun to suit their case.

Even when people are on the same side you get seemingly conflicting information. The other day someone on these pages was complaining because the wind turbines are often swtiched off because they are producing too much electricity. This guy tells us they produce "an intermittant trickle".

Which is it?

I also read on these pages recently that the four turbines near Lutterworth would produce enough for 5,000 homes. I am absolutely no expert, and I am not even saying I am in favour - I want to know the unbiased facts - but actually that sounds like a lot to me for just four turbines.

The other thing would say is that I do not see them as an eyesore. They are a damn sight more attractive than the pylons that we need to carry the electricity around the country. However, as to their noise, I cannot comment not having been close enough to a number of them.

I have an open mind. I wish only for unbiased information.”