MIT researchers Wang and Prinn have published a paper asserting that using wind turbines to meet 10 percent of global energy demand in 2100 might result in a temperature rise one degree Celsius in land regions where large-scale wind farms are installed.
The same analysis shows that wind turbines located in water could produce a drop in temperatures of one degree Celsius in installation water regions.
The reason for the temperature changes have to do with turbine altered wind patterns that change the way heat is transported to the upper atmosphere.
Temperature-Altering Wind Turbines
Large Wind Farms May Add to Global Warming
Trend Themes
1. Renewable Energy - The development of alternative temperature-neutral energy sources presents opportunities to decrease the carbon footprint while maintaining or increasing energy production.
2. Climate Modeling - Incorporating analysis of wind and other atmospheric conditions into climate models could lead to more accurate predictions and mitigation strategies.
3. Green Infrastructure - Incorporating natural wind patterns and land use into wind farm locations and designs could mitigate environmental impacts and potentially lead to temperature reduction.
Industry Implications
1. Renewable Energy - Alternative energy sources, such as thermal solar and offshore wind turbines, present opportunities to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change.
2. Climate Science - The study of climate change and its impact on the environment, including the use of wind turbines and their effects on local and global temperatures, presents opportunities for scientific research and the development of new technologies and predictive models.
3. Urban Planning - Incorporating green infrastructure, including wind turbines and other sustainable energy sources, into urban design presents opportunities for reducing carbon footprints and mitigating the effects of climate change.