Wind Wars

Countries are now accusing each other of using too much air:

The Daily Wrap reveals the Dutch are accusing Belgians of "stealing the wind." "Dutch wind farms in the North Sea are generating less energy due to the proximity of Belgian turbines," the report explains. According to the Times, the situation is creating "the risk of future conflicts over air currents." Tomasz Harackiewicz, of the Offshore Wind Energy Center at Maritime University said it's actually a "wake effect." "It's not just about the energy given to the turbine blades, but also the turbulence created behind them, which can stretch for miles and change the wind direction. This is what the 'wake effect' is about," he explained in the report. The publication said, "Air flowing through a wind turbine loses speed and creates turbulence, which can negatively affect the turbines located behind it, reducing the energy efficiency of subsequent devices. As described on the website renovables.blog, when a turbine is exposed to wind with a lower speed, it generates less electrical energy, and furthermore, 'turbulent flow can increase the mechanical wear of the blades, shortening their lifespan.'" The lower wind power can, the report explained, cut into the "financial outcomes" of a wind farm. A report at Not the Bee explained, "Yes, the Belgians just accused the Dutch of taking more than their fair share of the wind."

No air for you...