Main content

Wind energy is vital in the battle against climate change, but can we make wind turbines that are even more efficient? Tom Heap reports.

Wind energy is vital in the battle against climate change, but can we make improvements to harness more from them?
Tom Heap visits Kelburn windfarm in North Ayrshire to discuss whether 'wakesteering' - reorientating the turbines could see them harness more power collectively. Meanwhile some potential sites are refused or restricted due to the damage caused to wildlife. Hubert Lagrange talks about his childhood obsession with bats which are often killed by the pressure around turbine blades.
He's worked to develop a system to sense bat and bird activity and allow the turbines to operate longer through a refined system.
Dr Tamsin Edwards discusses how much more potential there is and how much carbon this could save.

Producer: Anne-Marie Bullock
Researcher Sarah Goodman

Produced in association with the Royal Geographical Society. Special thanks for this episode to Asst Professor Michael Howland from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Professor Nick Jenkins from Cardiff University.

Available now

14 minutes

Last on

Sat 31 Dec 2022 14:45

Broadcasts

  • Mon 25 Oct 2021 13:45
  • Sat 31 Dec 2022 14:45

Our Planet Now

Our Planet Now

The 成人论坛鈥檚 ongoing focus on the environment and the challenges facing our planet.

Podcast