Hello FSB listserv members,
I am interested in ways in which barriers related to wind farm development have been overcome. Often community members and municipal staff are misinformed or have misperceptions regarding wind turbine operations. Opposition to wind farm development may be related to aesthetics, noise, safety, and possible interference with wildlife. Of course, in some cases these concerns are legitimate, but often they are exaggerated. Has anyone used effective strategies to overcome these perceptions? I'm particularly interested in: - key messages to overcome mispercpetions - educational graphics, models, or other visuals - use of community champions to build support - approaches to gain zoning approvals
Thank you.
Tom Bird Waterloo, ON
Overcoming Barriers to Wind Farm Development
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Tom,
You might like to contact the people behind http://www.hepburnwind.com.au/ who've just successfully completed such an exercise in their community. I think the 'champion' may have been Koos Hulst ([email protected]). The developer was closely involved too - http://www.futureenergy.com.au/ - David Shapero [email protected] is their CEO.
Tony Hodgson
sustainableIT
Tom
One important strategy we used in Tasmania was to involve the local community and education community from the very start. Providing information, education and awareness of the project up front is really important. A lot of misconceptions happen because of lack of knowledge and understanding. When you keep the community in the dark they become negative and suspicious. We went into the local community and visited schools, community groups etc and gave presentations and talks about the project. We developed educational resources and provided them free to the local schools, we arrange site visits for students and teachers from the early phase. We explained all about the environmental impact assessments - what was monitored and assessed and why. We explained how the technology has improved greatly over time and that the newer turbines were more efficient, less noisy and that there is technology available to alter operation of the windfarm to adapt to bird behaviour on site. We helped the local community to develop a pride in the project, helped them to understand that this "power station" was helping to make a difference locally and globally. We utilised local construction workers and cartage companies and many other small businesses which enriched the local economy for several years. I have cc'd in a couple of our Community Consultation specialists who will no doubt has more to offer. My comments are mostly from an "educational and schools" perspective. (I attended an international Science Centre Congress in Toronto in July 2008 - lovely country!)
Kind regards
Sue Fama
Manager
Hands On Energy
Discovery Centre
Hydro Tasmania
4 Elizabeth Street
HOBART TAS 7000
ph + 61 3 6230 5305 0418 395 543
Hello Sue,
This sounds like an excellent approach. I'm sure the additional effort of working with the schools goes a long way to help build community support as well as having the additional (and wonderful) benefit of inspiring young minds. Thank you for your reply.
Tom
Dear Tom and others,
I understand that the original question is about overcoming community resistance to wind turbines, however, it is possible that the design of the wind turbines may have an affect. It seems that a number of manufacturers have looked to overcome traditional objections to wind farms by innovating the product. Disclaimer: I hold no liability for the type and quality of these products. I am not endorsing any product so much as recognising innovation to solve a problem.
Good luck
Bec
Vertical Wind Turbines
http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/1796/
High Altitude Wind Turbines http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/high-altitude-flying-wind-generators-can- solve-the-energy-crisis/
http://www.magenn.com/
Dear Tom,
the expert on the Danish experience is Prof Emeritus Niels Meyer (http://www.byg.dtu.dk/English/About/Staff.aspx?lg=showcommon&type=person&id=1623). He can send you tons of information on how the Danes overcame community resistance. In a nutshell, their strategy was to establish cooperatively owned wind farms. Residents in the area of the windfarms were given the opportunity to invest in the farms. Government subsidies and tax schemes meant that the business case for investing in windfarms was quite good. With a direct stake in the project and a share of the benefits, local residents were willing to put up with more. Today, private individuals, either as members of wind energy co-operatives, or as whole owners of a wind turbine (farmers) account for about 80 per cent of installed wind power capacity in Denmark. (Almost 900 out of 1100 MW of installed wind power capacity at the end of 1997). 100,000 families in Denmark own shares in a local wind turbine, and almost 2,000 wind turbines are owned by individuals. Denmark currently draws around 20% of its electricity consumption from renewables. Another Danish centre of expertise is www.folkecenter.net.
Yours,
Martin KvK.
Martin Krayer von Krauss, PhD
Strategic Knowledge and Innovation
European Environment Agency
Kongens Nytorv 6 DK-1050 Copenhagen K