The study, the largest of its kind, analyzed the land use of nearly 320 wind turbines in the United States. The study, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, refutes the idea that they are destroying the world.
The main takeaway? Wind farms are much more efficient in terms of land use than previously thought. Although conventional calculations suggest that the entire area of a wind farm is dedicated to wind energy, in reality wind turbines and infrastructure usually occupy only 5% of the land. The remaining 95% can be used for agriculture and other purposes.
The lead author of the study, Dr. “When you consider the entire infrastructure of gas plants, including well networks, pipelines and access roads, wind farms actually have comparable land use efficiency,” said Sarah Jordan.
This study also highlights the importance of wind turbine positioning. Placing turbines in areas with existing infrastructure, such as paved farmland, can significantly increase efficiency. Jordan explains that such projects can be up to seven times more efficient per square foot compared to projects built entirely from scratch.
Source: Ferra
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