The spectre of global warming and the political panic surrounding it has triggered a goldrush for renewable energy sources without an open discussion of the merits and drawbacks of each. In The Wind Farm Scam Dr Etherington argues that in the case of wind power the latter far outweigh the former. Wind turbines cannot generate enough energy to reduce global CO2 levels to a meaningful degree; what's more wind power is by nature intermittent and cannot generate a steady output, necessitating back-up coal and gas power plants that significantly negate the saving of greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to the inefficacy of wind power there are ecological drawbacks, including damage to habitats, wildlife and the far-from-insignificant aesthetic drawback of the assault upon natural beauty and the pristine landscape, which wind turbines entail. Dr Etherington argues that wind power has been, and is being, excessively financed at the cost of consumers who have not been consulted, nor informed that this effective subsidy is being paid from their bills to support an industry that cannot be cost efficient or, ultimately, favour the cause it purports to support.
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About the Author
John Etherington was a Reader in Ecology at the University of Wales, Cardiff. Since his retirement from the University in 1990, he has devoted himself to researching the implications of intermittently available renewable electricity generation, in particular wind power. He is a Thomas Huxley Medallist at the Royal College of Science and a former co-editor of the International Journal of Ecology.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
100 of 114 people found the following review helpful
By J. Keal
Format:Paperback
John Etherington explains the shortcomings of wind energy with a clarity that cannot be refuted. Only environmentalists of the sickest green hue could find anything to argue with in this book.
The Wind Farm Scam answered all my questions, it laid out in clear, easy to follow tables and charts the reason why we should stop building wind turbines today. Technical details which I have previously found hard to get to grips with were explained in plain language, clarifying the mystery of such things as the national grid and load factors.
If all of our politicians read this book we might at last get a well balanced and realistic policy on energy for the UK. For too long we have been subjected to propaganda from the wind industry trying to convince us that the only way to save the planet is to cover all of our wild uplands with machines reminiscent of H G Wells 'War of the Worlds'
Please read it and come to your own conclusion. The government is advised on energy by the very people who stand to benefit from the subsidies. How can that be right?
The Wind Farm Scam answered all my questions, it laid out in clear, easy to follow tables and charts the reason why we should stop building wind turbines today. Technical details which I have previously found hard to get to grips with were explained in plain language, clarifying the mystery of such things as the national grid and load factors.
If all of our politicians read this book we might at last get a well balanced and realistic policy on energy for the UK. For too long we have been subjected to propaganda from the wind industry trying to convince us that the only way to save the planet is to cover all of our wild uplands with machines reminiscent of H G Wells 'War of the Worlds'
Please read it and come to your own conclusion. The government is advised on energy by the very people who stand to benefit from the subsidies. How can that be right?
65 of 78 people found the following review helpful
By Argyll Eagle
Format:Paperback
Dr Etherington's book explains, at the technical level, what many people know at the level of common sense - that wind power can't possibly save significant levels of CO2, that wind cannot produce reliable base load energy and that wind power is hugely expensive compared with other main forms of energy production. For arguments sake, lets suppose a fleet of wind farms can produce between 10GW (when wind is blowing at its optimum speed) and 0GW of electricity (when the wind is not blowing much at all) - where is the shortfall of electricity going to come from? You've got it, it has to come from dependable power stations which can be cranked up quickly to fill the gap, and the only power stations that can do that are fosil fuel ones. But hang on, what happens to their output when the wind farms are producing their maximum 10 GW? If you down scale the fosil fuel (best being gas) generators which have been built as dedicated back up for wind, then not only are they going to be run incredibly inefficiently, but they are going to operate at a whacking great loss - unless of course they are heavily subsidised by the general public, just like wind farms.
The bottom line is that for every GW of wind energy generated we have to duplicate that investment by building dedicated back up fosil fuel generators which will be run very inefficiently because of the need to constantly ramp them up and down in order to fill the wind energy gap. This will inevitably lead to near zero saving in CO2 emissions and a cost of electricity (remember to add on the billions of pounds required to upgrade the electricity distribution system) which will force millions in the UK into fuel poverty.
If you have swallowed the wind industry and political propoganda that wind energy is the answer to our energy and CO2 problems, then read Dr Etherington's book which I am sure will change your mind.
The bottom line is that for every GW of wind energy generated we have to duplicate that investment by building dedicated back up fosil fuel generators which will be run very inefficiently because of the need to constantly ramp them up and down in order to fill the wind energy gap. This will inevitably lead to near zero saving in CO2 emissions and a cost of electricity (remember to add on the billions of pounds required to upgrade the electricity distribution system) which will force millions in the UK into fuel poverty.
If you have swallowed the wind industry and political propoganda that wind energy is the answer to our energy and CO2 problems, then read Dr Etherington's book which I am sure will change your mind.
45 of 54 people found the following review helpful
By Ian CORSIE
Format:Paperback
This is a timely book! The UK government is trying to drive through a massive programme of wind farm construction over the next 10 years - usually in the face of huge, democratically-expressed, local opinion against them. The population at large up till now has been willing to go along with this policy, which threatens to despoil large tracts of our beautiful countryside and cause misery to those who are obliged to live close to the huge new generation of turbines around 400ft in height, because it seems the 'green' and 'noble' thing to be doing. But will this policy actually make a real difference to the UK's carbon emissions? What is its real cost to the consumer? Will this policy prevent the lights going out? Do wind farms actually produce the goods?
In the face of the stream of propaganda from politicians and energy companies telling us how wonderful wind farms are, there has been a lack of authoritative independent advice for those who want to come to a balanced judgement. Now Dr John Etherington, a former editor of the 'Journal of Ecology', has produced this handy 200 page summary of the key issues involved. His conclusions are clear from the title of the book: it is a 'scam'!
What do you think? If you care about the despoilation of our countryside; if you care about the direction of our country's energy policy; if you are threatened with a wind farm development (and make no mistake, they are coming soon to a field near you); then read this book.
In the face of the stream of propaganda from politicians and energy companies telling us how wonderful wind farms are, there has been a lack of authoritative independent advice for those who want to come to a balanced judgement. Now Dr John Etherington, a former editor of the 'Journal of Ecology', has produced this handy 200 page summary of the key issues involved. His conclusions are clear from the title of the book: it is a 'scam'!
What do you think? If you care about the despoilation of our countryside; if you care about the direction of our country's energy policy; if you are threatened with a wind farm development (and make no mistake, they are coming soon to a field near you); then read this book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential Reading
Essential reading for anyone fighting a planning application for a wind turbine(s). Anyone who believes the propaganda generated by the government and wind turbine companies should... Read more
Published 19 days ago by Graham Price
3.0 out of 5 stars
A bit disappointing...
As the author is an accomplished ecologist I expected a lot from this book. In line with another reviewer, I expected the writing to be solidly referenced in an authoritative... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Nigel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Devastating case exposing the myth of wind power
This was a very accessible case against wind generation. Referenced and citing case study after research paper after real life example it is a relentless deconstruction of every... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ron
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wind Farm Scam
A well-written and persuasive book. It explains wny the UK and Scottish Governments' obsession with wind power is leading to precious landscapes blighted by industrialisation and... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Andy
5.0 out of 5 stars
All is vanity.
Between the "green self-delusion" of politicians and some environmentalists and the cynical manipulation of the "green agenda" by profit driven business men we are being conned by... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Disillusioned Engineer
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Wind Farm Scam (Independent Minds)
This book is -
...... Well laid out, well thought out, well referenced - clear & concise. Read more
...... Well laid out, well thought out, well referenced - clear & concise. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Jugs
1.0 out of 5 stars
Bunkum
This book is pure bunkum from a climate change skeptic. That's because it's basic premise is false. The wind always blows in certain places, so what the author is actually arguing... Read more
Published 14 months ago by glowkeeper
1.0 out of 5 stars
Ahhhhhh.....
I am an engineer, I bought this book and another promoting new energy solutions so I could get a grasp of the opposing arguments in the wind energy debate for a project I was about... Read more
Published 16 months ago by SomethingClever....
5.0 out of 5 stars
The truth about wind farms
I used to be vaguely in favour of wind farms - at least, not opposed to them. We need to reduce CO2 and they're presented as a source of clean, green, renewable energy. Read more
Published 18 months ago by recordare
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wind Energy Scandal Exposed
John Etherington's book is about engineering. In a clear and concise way the text demolishes the 'pernicious smokescreen of propaganda surrounding the windpower industry' and shows... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Gordon Burrows
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