1. Will the pros of clean energy outweigh the potential cons (interference with shipping industry, disturbance of wildlife, etc.) of off shore wind farms? Are there any possible ways to combat these possible problems?
2. If this wind farm is successful, do you think converting all of our electricity needs to wind farms, off shore or on, could be possible?
3. Could Cleveland pull off a similar project to the ones off the coast of New Jersey and Rhode Island?
I think that the pros of the clean energy produced from wind turbines far outweigh the cons. By building more of these wind farms, we are able to reduce the uses of nonrenewable energy sources like fossil fuels. This will help our environment immensely. Not only will our aquatic systems in the ocean start to recover, our climate will also start to stable again. Although the cost of the wind farms seem to be a lot, in the long term, it will not only pay itself back, we will also be able to help our earth to recover to its original form. Compared to the cons that these wind farms produce, the pros are worth it. We can solve some of these problems by setting up boundaries like half a mile around the wind farms to keep the shipping industry and the fish out thus preventing any injuries.
ReplyDeleteI think if this wind farm is successful, we can depend on it for the future. However, I do think that we have to take little steps at a time. Our economy is not steady enough to drop all the money on so many wind farms at once. We should build one wind farm at a time and then eventually we will have enough wind farms to produce the electricity and energy we need.
I think there is chance that Cleveland can pull off something New Jersey and Rhode Island are doing. Although we do not have the coastal areas they have, we have open fields where we can play the wind farm. The big wind turbine in Euclid is a good example. If we could place some more wind turbines there we can create a pretty big wind farm where traffic can pass by and help the production of the wind.
After reading this article, I feel that the pros of offshore wind farms far outweigh the cons. Considering that our nation is currently looking for clean, renewable, and reliable energy sources, offshore wind farms present many benefits. Because of their location, these wind turbines are out of the way and do not obscure the vision of people in cities. They can also freely turn and receive sufficient wind without trees, hills, or buildings blocking it. In addition the offshore wind farms will be built so as not to disturb certain aquatic organisms. There are some concerns about the effect the farms will have on surface habitats in the sea and local weather patterns, but these are miniscule compared to the many advantages that they bring.
ReplyDeleteI’m not completely certain if it is possible for us to convert all of our electricity needs to wind farms, whether they be on or offshore. I believe that a good portion of our needs could be supplied by wind farms and this idea seems great, but it’s hard to say for sure. I think that Cleveland has the potential to utilize a wind farm program like Rhode Island and New Jersey are trying to do. Cleveland has already taken a small step towards this innovation with its recent installment of a wind turbine in Euclid. I think that with further initiatives, offshore wind farms could serve as promising sources of renewable energy.
I believe that the pros of clean energy greatly outweigh the potential cons. If you think about the long term effects of the wind farm, all the current supposed cons of the wind farm will be issues in future without the wind farms. For example, if we do not proceed in developing clean wind energy because of wildlife disturbance, if we keep polluting the water and air these species are going to be harmed anyways by the pollution! If wind farms are installed however, there are ways to avoid wildlife disruption such as painting wind blades so birds and bats avoid them. In regards to interference with the shipping industry, there are many easy ways to avoid this problem. It would not take much effort to reroute cargo ships and still maintain the shipping industry. I think that our electiricty needs can be met by converting if not all, then majority of our energy from wind farms. Wind power is so great and inexhaustible that there is no doubt in my mind that wind power alone could provide for our electric demands. I feel that Cleveland could pull off an off-shore wind farm project as long as the project gained more community support. I think that such a project would do great things for the city both economically and civically. As long as funding was available, I think Cleveland is completely capable of producing an off short wind farm.
ReplyDeleteAs everyone else has said so far, the potential pros far outweigh the cons in off shore wind farms. These wind farms can provide enough energy, along with on shore wind farms, for the entire nation. The only problem right now, is starting to build them. The fact that shipping industries are concerned about these wind farms can be changed with a simple rerouting of their routes. Though it may take a little longer for them, they are probably less important then the electricity for the nation. As for disturbance of wildlife, it appears that the producers of these wind farms are taking notes on how to avoid disturbance. They make sure to bury their cables deep underground so not to disturb the clams. Painting the blades a color can make them more apparent to birds and bats who might migrate over the turbines.
ReplyDeleteCleveland can definitely pull of a wind farm with the right amount of publicity, support from both community and government and with money. With all the wind that Lake Erie creates, enough electricity could be created for all of Cleveland. That would help boost are economy and bring the population to Cleveland. Cleveland could be right there with the other cities who are trying to build wind farms if we take the first leap.
I think that the Pros will surely outweigh the cons. One, wind turbines will create much less of a problem with disturbing wildlife offshore than on mountaintops. Also, the shipping industry will not have to change that much to accommodate the wind farms. However, If wildlife organizations and the shipping industries still have a problem, then the companies that build the wind farms can give money they make from the wind farms to these organizations and shipping companies to compensate for their losses. Although I believe much of our power can be produced by wind farms, I do not think that 100% of our energy can be wind dependent because there is simply too much risk. It takes too much money and too much time to re-do a wind farm and if they crashed, it could lead to a very big problem nobody would want to face. I think Cleveland would have a harder time accomplishing a wind farm that generates as much power as the ones off Rhode Island and New Jersey because more wind would be generated over an ocean than over a lake. However, it could be done in Lake Erie but I dont think there will be as much upside as there is in New Jersey and Rhode Island
ReplyDeleteThe Pros of wind energy deffinetly outweigh the cons. There are certainly ways that can be improvised to work shipping around these wind farms such as passages or channels between them. Addressing the threat to wildlife, birds are generally considered to be at the greatest risk with these turbines. Audobahn, though, the group devoted to protecting birds and their ecosystems actually support the use of wind energy. If they feel the benefits outweigh the risks we surely can all rest easier.
ReplyDeleteIts nice to see some companies truling taking strides in making off-shore wind power a powerhouse energy provider. I see no reason why in the future these windfarms could power our country. Sure it would be expensive but it guarentees us a renewable energy source for ever. If we build enough of them, they could deffintely be the primary source of power.
When comparing the pros and the cons of clean wind turbine energy, the pros highly outweigh the cons. Even though the wind turbines are massive and difficult to transport, the only problem when concerning wildlife is are the birds and their ecosystems. As Nick said above, the group Audobahn is devoted to preserving the birds as well as promoting clean wind energy as an alternative source.
ReplyDeleteIts possible for a city such as Cleveland to convert to wind energy, but will take a long time and will cost a lot of money. It will most likely need donations or sponsors to fund the overall costs. If those parts are met, then it is very likely that Cleveland can use wind farms to fuel their required energy because of all the coastal space on Lake Erie.
There are forsure more pros to wind energy and "clean" energy than there are cons. When Nick and I did our project on wind turbines, the only cons we could find was the possibilities of not being able to pay for them, and the birds dying. Money would be the biggest issue because they have recently been making turbines move slower in order to not kill so many birds. The turbines would work in a city such as cleveland because having the turbines in the lake and so much wind coming off the lake, the turbines will be successful in getting us the energy we need. However, it is a long process that could take many years to achieve. However, i believe it is worth it because of all the problems humans could face if we do not turn to clean energy. The cities with a good amount of wind would be able to prosper from having these wind turbines. It is definately something all major cities should look into.
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