New Energy World™
New Energy World™ embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
Winds of change
15/6/2022
6 min read
Feature
Wind energy is going to be a key feature of the landscape – certainly in Scotland – as the UK transitions towards net zero. New approaches are required in terms of landscape and wind farms, with innovative technology and a call for new grid charging methodology. Brian Davis invited leading experts to provide insight on where the new winds blow.
Boosting wind energy is a key feature of the UK government’s new Energy Security Strategy. However, the emphasis is on offshore wind farms and more Scottish developments, rather than tackling the politically sensitive Nimbyism (not-in-my-backyard) south of the border.
Landscape architect Marc van Grieken of MVGLA has spent over two decades involved in onshore wind developments in Scotland, Wales, England, the Netherlands and New Zealand. He recognises that wind is a sensitive topic. ‘Everybody has an opinion on how wind turbines will affect the landscape. Some think wind turbines are an eyesore, some are neutral and one seven-year-old thought they look like angels – which sums up the spectrum,’ he says.
Wind in the UK
The amount of wind energy under the UK renewables strategy is set to grow significantly. Furthermore, the height of turbines has broadly doubled twice over a 10-year period, while output has trebled. First generation wind turbines were typically 35–50 metres in height and were broadly welcomed because the turbines could be ‘fitted into the landscape’ without breaching any characteristics.