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I've stumbled upon something interesting. Windmills are not only a problem for birds, but also tend to cause radio distrubances. I am not sure how such a small metal structure (compared to the available radio space) can interfere though. Additionally, lightning encounters with windmills are not studied thouroughly.

Be careful! Is it classified?
by darin (dkaloyanov[at]gmail.com) on Tue Feb 28th, 2006 at 07:14:05 PM EST
I'll dig up more detail and links for you tomorrow, but (a) radio disturbances are primarily cited as a problem by the British air force (the RAF), which is strange because the air forces of Spain, Germany and Denmark, as well as military planes of the USA and Britain in Germany saw no serious problems; (b) with over ten thousand windmills each in Germany and the USA, lightning encounters aren't an unknown factor anymore, in fact now we are at the stage that there are patent disputes regarding windmill lighting defense systems.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Tue Feb 28th, 2006 at 07:27:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]
DoDo, all I can say is that I am glad to have you over at my diary. You have great insight into the subject!

Be careful! Is it classified?
by darin (dkaloyanov[at]gmail.com) on Tue Feb 28th, 2006 at 07:40:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Thank you! Though, I feel guilty of diverting it from the fuel issue to the electricity generation and wind issue...

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Tue Feb 28th, 2006 at 08:33:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Windmills can give interference with radio, radar and other telecommunication equipement. I do not have more info on it yet, but I know there is a professor at the university of Leuven (Belgium) who is often asked to perform measurements because he has the proper equipement.  Such a report is a legal condition in Belgium for windmills.

The struggle of man against tyranny is the struggle of memory against forgetting.(Kundera)
by Elco B (elcob at scarlet dot be) on Tue Feb 28th, 2006 at 07:55:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]
That would be interesting to see, I can't believe windmills interfere with radio signals (maybe only adjacent buildings?)

Be careful! Is it classified?
by darin (dkaloyanov[at]gmail.com) on Wed Mar 1st, 2006 at 02:20:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]
A recent document(pdf) describes some problems in Canada.

The struggle of man against tyranny is the struggle of memory against forgetting.(Kundera)
by Elco B (elcob at scarlet dot be) on Wed Mar 1st, 2006 at 06:08:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]
I just read through through the file. I didn't expect non-metal bladed turbines to cause interference as well. Then again, maybe if they are metal and properly grounded, they won't reflect the radio signal but absorb it?

Be careful! Is it classified?
by darin (dkaloyanov[at]gmail.com) on Wed Mar 1st, 2006 at 06:32:57 AM EST
[ Parent ]
I add a link to a British study on radar interference.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Wed Mar 1st, 2006 at 07:53:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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