MOD Radar issues for windfarms are soluble….perhaps

The Problem

Concerns about wind turbines interfering with military radar have been causing problems for a large number of windfarm developments, about 50% of UK developments to date. Apparently there is a “dead zone” above a windfarm which obscures small aircraft.. There are also shadow effects around the turbines and “clutter”. The DTI has commissioned BAE to carry out a survey on six projected offshore windfarms in the Greater Wash zone, part of Round 2 of offshore developments. According to Wing Commander Nicky Loveday of the RAF, two solutions have come up, and she has recommended that one or other be implemented before MOD will withdraw its objections to the Greater Wash windfarms. She reckons that implementation of these solutions will be relevant to onshore windfarms too, and that an exclusion zone of only 5 to 10 kilometres will be necessary, eventually.

The Solution

There are two basic solutions, one involving software mitigation techniques processing the signals. There are three separate techniques, all of which need to be implemented at the same time. The other solution is an additional radar, using “e-tilt” (electronic beam tilting). The software solution may take 2/3 years to implement (this is government computer project after all), and the estimated cost of the e-tilt radar would be comparable to that of a single turbine. The MOD are leaving the decision to the wind industry, saying that the software solution is better and should be implemented in the longer term, but the radar could be acceptable in the short term.

Civilian Radar
None of the above applies to civilian radar. Apparently the military can tolerate much more “clutter” than civilian radar operators, in fact they prefer to have it there where they can see it, whereas civilian controllers prefer to have it airbrushed out. Remember that next time you take off or land at your favourite airport. Windfarm projects where the objection is based on the proximity to civilian radar will have to find other solutions..

Viability

Because wind energy is the UK Government’s ‘sacred cow’ , no doubt great efforts will be made and money spent to get round these problems, but the issue becomes just another addition to the burden imposed by wind, alongside the degradation of our landscape heritage, the cost of backup, the killing of thousands of birds etc. On the other hand these “solutions” will have to enter the murky quicksand of MOD Procurement; readers who are familiar with Radio 4’s excellent series “Our Brave Boys” may hope that the process will take as long as it usually does.

Footnote – from the Scottish Sunday Mail, 29 Jan 2006

AIR CHIEFS’ ALERT OVER WIND FARMS

Aviation bosses have warned that plans for up to 30 new wind farms across central Scotland could pose a risk to aircraft. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAAS) have written to local authorities.

The organisation, which represents airports and air traffic control, warned the giant turbines are a danger to low flying aircraft and clusters of them
can interfere with radar. The move comes just days after the biggest wind farm in the UK was switched on at Forth in South Lanarkshire . In the same week, an extension to the Hagshaw Hill wind farm in North Lanarkshire was approved.

CAA spokesman Jason Wakeford said: "We will take all necessary steps to
ensure safety is maintained to the highest standards."