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threemonkeysLiving in one of the worlds windiest cities has its interesting side. One thing that has been a hot topic of discussion recently is the use of wind turbines to generate electricity. It isn't new technology, but in recent years it has become mature enough and cost effective enough that it is a real and obvious option as this country starts to approach the limits of current power generation capacity. And of course it has all kinds of ecological advantages over other power generation methods.
In Wellington, you can't easily escape the thought of it - not least because there is a wind turbine right on the skyline on one of the highest points near the city. It does not generate much power - it is as much about publicity as real power generation. To get real benefit you need great farms of these devices.
Finally plans are under way to build several such farms in the Wellington area. The first of these is planned to be at Makara out to the west of the city. It is running into problems with the nimby ("not in my back yard") syndrome from the small community that lives out there. The residents don't want these devices on their skyline - some are planned to only be a kilometre or so from the nearest house.
I don't hear much sympathy around town for the Makara residents. It seems most people think that wind power is a very good idea and that the objections of the residents are horribly overstated. I tend to agree. While I wouldn't want one of these things right next door I don't think I would have a problem with one a kilometre or two away.
My opinions might be tested however. One of the possible sites for future development is in the Belmont regional park. A corner of that park is only a kilometre or so from my place and an exposed ridge ideal for wind generators not that much further. Watch this space.
In Wellington, you can't easily escape the thought of it - not least because there is a wind turbine right on the skyline on one of the highest points near the city. It does not generate much power - it is as much about publicity as real power generation. To get real benefit you need great farms of these devices.
Finally plans are under way to build several such farms in the Wellington area. The first of these is planned to be at Makara out to the west of the city. It is running into problems with the nimby ("not in my back yard") syndrome from the small community that lives out there. The residents don't want these devices on their skyline - some are planned to only be a kilometre or so from the nearest house.
I don't hear much sympathy around town for the Makara residents. It seems most people think that wind power is a very good idea and that the objections of the residents are horribly overstated. I tend to agree. While I wouldn't want one of these things right next door I don't think I would have a problem with one a kilometre or two away.
My opinions might be tested however. One of the possible sites for future development is in the Belmont regional park. A corner of that park is only a kilometre or so from my place and an exposed ridge ideal for wind generators not that much further. Watch this space.
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no subject
Date: 2005-07-04 06:30 am (UTC)