COP-15 Confusion Left Us Gone With the Wind

A HaltonDoesCopenhagen Blog Entry

Yesterday while we waited for the situation to be sorted out at the Bella Center we decided to take advantage of our presence in Denmark to learn about the energy source that Denmark is famous for: Wind power. We got out to Middelgruden wind farm, completed in 2000. What is particularly interesting about this wind farm is that it is offshore – the turbines exist several kilometres offshore. For those who feel that wind is not a viable energy alternative – it already makes up more than 20% of Denmark`s energy currently and extremely ambitious goals (50% wind energy by 2025) are expected to be met.

The offshore aspect is an additional positive, as there is much concern over noise pollution in wind energy and its effect on the psychological wellbeing of those who live near wind farms (NIMBY Effect). While the actual effects of this noise is still up for debate, this eliminates the problem altogether. The turbines made very little noise even when we stood right below them and certainly could not be heard from the shore.

There are certain specifications that hinder this from being done just anywhere – the biodiversity in the water must be considered, the depth of the water must remain at a certain level for a distance out into the water, etc. We would be interested to see what kind of studies cities like Toronto have commissioned to see if this is viable. Denmark has an enormous amount of these under construction, so we fail to believe that it is impossible to happen in Lake Ontario. We are clearly falling behind in these initiatives and it is hurting our goals. Ontario`s Green Energy Act should aid in addressing the problem, but there is still much work to be done.

In these videos you will first see a brief introduction as we arrived at one of Denmark`s major energy hubs. You will see a coal burning plant on the right that now has a significant amount of biomass energy (Here waste is a valuable resource!) and then you will see the wind farm in the distance. In the second video you will get an up close and personal view of the farm.

Enjoy!

For more information, check out www.dongenergy.com . Here you can find all the details from one of Denmark`s major energy companies and their goals for the future.