Introduction and Methodology

Introduction and Assessment Rubrics

Introduction

There are two main types of wind turbines. The traditional one, in the shape of a windmill is called a horizontal axis turbine, where the other one is called vertical axis which takes the shape of an egg mixer. Both convert electrical energy from wind energy that travels across the blades, which then turns the generator inside the gear box. The energy is then transported to any power station through a convertor box and to the national grid power lines.

These turbines can be placed in both domestic and commercial scale. Wind farms are currently one of the most important renewable energy in the United Kingdom and it is still expanding to slowly replace the consumption of non-renewable fuels such as natural gas, oil and coal. Families would install small turbines that can be placed on top of rooftops, or separately in their land. The energy generated is then sold to the responsible power company, and act as a top-up credit for the family’s consumption whenever needed. On the other side, the pressure of investing more commercial wind farm is increasing due to political factors such as the Kyoto protocol and other environmental treaties cosigned by United Kingdom. Examples can be seen from the provisional expansion in one of the wind farms in this region.

The different components in a wind turbine, which takes the responsibility to convert wind energy to electrical energy.

Wind energy investment is vital for Scotland energy supply. Commercial windfarms have been expanding in the Scotland landscapes

Criterias to Wind Energy

Criterias were set up to measure the suitability and sensibility of the landscape character, to what extent these different areas are appropriate to invest windfarms:

Suitability

Criteria Wind Speed Reason of why this criteria Wind turbines need at least 5 m/s windspeed to operate

Topography Wind farms would usually be placed on a higher altitude to increase windspeed

Proximity to national grid The energy produced has to go onto the national grid and if the new development can connect to existing lines there is no need for extending it.

Proximity to obstacles The blades are long and rotating at a high speed they have to be placed away from trees and houses

History Many landscapes in the catchment have high historic value being part of the scenery from certain estates therefore it is important not to ruin these views

Sensitivity

Criteria Ecology

Land Use Reason of why this criteria Does the area contain any endangered species both animals or plants?

Is the current land use more valueable than it would be after installing new infrastucture?

Aesthetics/ Visibility Would the wind turbines ruin the views of the landscape? are there any important views to protect?

Sensory Experience Can for example noise pollution have a bad effect on the perception of the landscape?

Nature of Viewing How would it effect people’s perception moving at different speeds?