Assessment of Reasons for Local Community's Reaction In

7/29/2019 Assessment of Reasons for Local Community's Reaction In

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Assessment of reasons for localcommunity's reaction in Renewable

Energy Sources (emphasis on wind

farms)Dimitris Siachos*, Nikitas-Spiros Koutsoukis **

*sc Mechanical Engineer, PhD student,Department of Political

Science and International Relations, University of Peloponnese.** Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science and

International Relations, University of Peloponnese
https://www.google.gr/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC4QFjAA&url=http://gr.linkedin.com/in/nikitaskoutsoukis&ei=N7HuUcrNJYXe4QT7hoGwAQ&usg=AFQjCNGWe_BihSEsnIdlr0iYFT3BHckEeg&sig2=-cMyfzi49NZ_kT8RHkJj2Q&bvm=bv.49641647,d.Ymshttps://www.google.gr/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC4QFjAA&url=http://gr.linkedin.com/in/nikitaskoutsoukis&ei=N7HuUcrNJYXe4QT7hoGwAQ&usg=AFQjCNGWe_BihSEsnIdlr0iYFT3BHckEeg&sig2=-cMyfzi49NZ_kT8RHkJj2Q&bvm=bv.49641647,d.Ymshttps://www.google.gr/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC4QFjAA&url=http://gr.linkedin.com/in/nikitaskoutsoukis&ei=N7HuUcrNJYXe4QT7hoGwAQ&usg=AFQjCNGWe_BihSEsnIdlr0iYFT3BHckEeg&sig2=-cMyfzi49NZ_kT8RHkJj2Q&bvm=bv.49641647,d.Ymshttps://www.google.gr/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC4QFjAA&url=http://gr.linkedin.com/in/nikitaskoutsoukis&ei=N7HuUcrNJYXe4QT7hoGwAQ&usg=AFQjCNGWe_BihSEsnIdlr0iYFT3BHckEeg&sig2=-cMyfzi49NZ_kT8RHkJj2Q&bvm=bv.49641647,d.Ymshttps://www.google.gr/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC4QFjAA&url=http://gr.linkedin.com/in/nikitaskoutsoukis&ei=N7HuUcrNJYXe4QT7hoGwAQ&usg=AFQjCNGWe_BihSEsnIdlr0iYFT3BHckEeg&sig2=-cMyfzi49NZ_kT8RHkJj2Q&bvm=bv.49641647,d.Ymshttps://www.google.gr/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC4QFjAA&url=http://gr.linkedin.com/in/nikitaskoutsoukis&ei=N7HuUcrNJYXe4QT7hoGwAQ&usg=AFQjCNGWe_BihSEsnIdlr0iYFT3BHckEeg&sig2=-cMyfzi49NZ_kT8RHkJj2Q&bvm=bv.49641647,d.Yms


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Objective of this study

The use of renewable energy sources, which ensuresefficient, secure and sustainable energy supply is one of themain priorities of the European Union, is the primarymeans to reduce energy dependence at national level. Therole of energy is particularly critical regarding the verycompetitiveness of the European economy.

Although our country is a promising area for investmentdue to the excellent wind resources, the lack of organizeddevelopment plan for renewable energy projects and thecomplex legal framework for years, discouraged investors.

The objective of this study is to document the reasons forthe reaction of local communities, scientific and culturaloperators in the development of RES projects, focusing onwind farms.


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scientific approaches which question theusefulness of wind energy:


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Scientific positions Year Main disadvantages of wind energy marked in

each case

Reference

100 German professors

and intellectuals

(manifesto)

1998,

Germany

They have an insignificant contribution to

energy production. They occupy large tracts of

land at the expense of more efficient uses.

[21]

Study of the independent

British Institute Civitas,

2012, U.K. They increase fuel (gas) consumption, rather

than saving it, when compared to electricity

generation with modern high-efficiency gas

turbines.

[22]

Study of engineering,

scholar and writer A.

Halkema

2008, U.K.

Their efficiency is much lower of expectations.[23]

William Korchinskis

simulation study, on behalf

of the Reason Foundation

(http://reason.org/),

2012, US They are very expensive. Wind power is on the

high end of cost, with coal and nuclear being on

the low end

[24]


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Scientific positions Year Main disadvantages of wind energy marked in each

case

Reference

Study on behalf of

The Global Warming

Policy Foundation

(GWPF)

(www.thegwpf.org)

2012, UK Wind power is too expensive, while not reducing

emissions of CO2

[25]

Study published by the

Global Wind Energy

Council

(www.gwec.net)

2008,

Brussels

The installation of wind parks must be treated with

great caution. The large installation of wind farmsinduces problems to the the electricity grid.

[26]


German power

company E.ON Energie

AG

2005,

Germany

They are unreliable. The wind is variable and

random, so that the wind energy to be completely

unreliable. Saving power is not practical oreconomically feasible in useful range.

[27]


IR (Institute for Energy

Research- US),

2010, US The effect of wind integration on both fuel

consumption and emission reductions can in fact be

negative.

[28]


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Many articles are written in Britishand German newspapers andmagazines about the ineffectiveness

of wind energy


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Newspaper Publicati

on date

Heading

British

Dailymail

(www.dailymail.

co.uk)

19 March 2012 Broken down and rusting,

is this the future ofBritains

wind rush?

British Wall

Street Journal(online.wsj.com)

23 August

2010

Wind Power Wont Cool

Down the Planet. Oftenenough it leads to higher

carbon emissions.

British The

Telegraph

(www.telegraph.

co.uk)

14 April 2013 Wind farm developers are

facing a dramatic escalationof opposition from dozens of

MPs who say they will fight

every application in their

constituencies


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Newspaper Publicati

on date

Heading

British The

Telegraph

(www.telegra

ph.co.uk)

19

November

2012

The Duke of Edinburgh

has made a fierce attack on

wind farms, describing

them as absolutely

useless.German Die

Welt

(www.welt.d

e)

20 October

2012Die krassen Fehlprognosen

beim kostrom ie: Lies,

damn lies and green

statistics.

German The

Local

(www.theloc

al.de)

12 October

2012Minister 'puts brakes' on

German energy switch.


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Environmental organizations or associations

have been very critical toward the wind farms

In 2008 the Greek Ornithological Society (www.ornithologiki.gr) published a study [35]entitled: "Very serious impacts of wind farms on birds.

In January 5, 2012, Dr. Patrick Moore, co-founder of Greenpeace,speaking at the 19th annual Southwest Agricultural Conference atRidgetown campus of the University of Guelph, told about wind

energy industry [36]: The industry is a destroyer of wealth andnegative to the economy, the solar bubble has burst and thinks thewind bubble is about to burst. They are ridiculously expensive anddon't work half the time. And no matter how many are built, theywon't replace coal, gas or hydro or nuclear plants, because they arecontinuous and wind is not always reliable.

a series of environmental associations reacted dynamicallyagainst the installation of renewables in their area and severalhave applied to the Council of State against the installation ofRES projects in their areas.


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In April 2013 the Manis

Environmental and Cultural

Association (PERIPOLO

MANIS)

issued a brochure entitled

"Industrial

Renewable Energy

Systems (I.RES)...with a critical eye" .

The data published in this

brochure are largely shaped todaypublic opinion of citizens in local

communities and many of them

were used for the completion of

this study.


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we recorded a indicative number of court actions by residents

and operators in various areas have been submitted to the State

Council or other courts to annul environmental permits,

authorizations and other approvals by installation and licensing

of RES projects implemented by PPC Renewables S.A.Applicant Number of litigation Number of State decision Investment

Agricultural cooperative of

Vatsounia and other residents

Council of State (300/2009) General Secretary of the

Region of Thessaly

6497/80692/10.11.2008

Installation of 30 MW Wind

Farm in the Municipality

Mouzaki, (Karditsa)

Embellishing Association

Hersonissos of Sifnos and

other residents

Council of State (E1983/2009) General Secretary of the

Region of south Aegean

Installation of 1,2 MW Wind


Sifnos

Residents Council of State (3250/2011) General Secretary of the

Region of Ionian Islands

(18677/13.12.2010)



Apollonion (Kalon Oros

Lefkada)


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Applicant Number of litigation Number of State decision Investment

Municipality Lefkada Council of State (3244/2011) General Secretary of the

Region of Ionian Islands

(18677/13.12.2010)



Apollonion (Kalon Oros

Lefkada)

Embellishing Association

Kamares (Paros) and other

residents


Region of south Aegean

(10050/04.08.2006)



Paros (Anefades Paros)

1. Hunting Federation

Peloponnese

Hellenic 2. Hellenic Hunters

Confederation


Region of Peloponnese

(44.14.08/2008)

Installation of 39,42 MW PV

System in the Municipality

Megalopolis

Residents Council of State (5079/2008) General Secretary of the

Region of Peloponnese

(44.14.08/2008)

Installation of 39,42 MW PV

System in the Municipality

Megalopolis


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Summarizing the reasons for reactions

against the wind turbines, we can

separate them into four categories:

A) RES require environmental interventions and causeother natural disasters.

B) They have high costs (passed on to the consumer).

C) Are unreliable (they depends entirely on the weather)and they can not replace base units (thermal, gas, nuclear,etc.).

D) Finally, they deny the advantage of using RES andquestioning even global warming from human activity.


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RES require environmental interventions and cause

other natural disasters.

1. the impact of natural disasters on the naturalenvironment

2. the impact of changing the microclimate

3. the impact on the aesthetic of the landscape4. the noise emissions

5. the impact on birds and wildlife

6. the shadow flicker from wind turbines7. the occupation of land

8. the wind turbines electromagnetic interference.


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the impact of natural disasters on the

natural environment

impacts on flora, (the vegetation's destroy hasimpact on microclimate).

greater is the impact on the most ecologicallysensitive areas (rocky, sparsely populated islands,mountain peaks, peninsulas)

the character of Special Protected Areas (PA) isrepealed by installing large units,

impact of the technical works and loggings topass the transmission networks of electricity,

soil erosion with potential impacts ongroundwater from earthworks shall.


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.ExamplesFOTO: "Industrial Renewable Energy Systems (I.RES) ...with a critical eye"


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he impact of changing the

microclimateThe air velocity is significantly reduced when it passes from the impeller the wind turbine, as a part of it

is absorbed and converted to energy.

On the form "Industrial RES" of the Environmental Cultural Association Mani supported -without

scientific documentation-that wind turbines may be responsible for creatinganhydrous winter, as the turbines at high wind speeds do not allow thecreation of snow on the mountaintops. They also argue -without scientificdocumentation- that at the Panachaiko mountain occurs most often tornadoes because of windturbines.


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Visual impactIs affected by the follow factors:

1. The wind parks normal operation.2. The wind parks installation site.

3. The natural aesthetics of the

installation area.4. Peculiarities of the installation areas

surroundings.

5. The installed wind turbines model andcolour.

6. The wind turbines size.

7. fter the end of their life.


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Noise emissions

The noise produced from a wind turbine is

divided into:

1. the aerodynamic noice

2. and mechanical noise


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Impacts on birds and wildlifeWind turbines affect birds in one of the following ways:

fatalities due to collision with the turbines

spinning blades

fatalities due to electrical shock

the installation of wind parks in importantareas for birds, such as prey or procreationareas

loss or disturbance of habitats in proximity toturbines

the installation of wind parks in migrationcorridors.


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Residents at Lake Distos (Evia), say that there is a great reducemigratory birds after the installation of wind turbines around the

lake (foto: Siachos 2004)


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Safety in the Wind Farms

In some cases record toss flap portions weighing up to 500kg and over 400mfrom the accident (eg Cemmaes- Wales - 1993, Tarifa - Spain - 1995)

Foto: Siachos 2004 (Wind turbines next to the road, municipality Distion Evia)


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3. Wind Turbines are unreliable (they depends

entirely on the weather) and they can not

replace base units (thermal, gas, nuclear, etc.)As already mentioned the development of wind energy has to

face insurmountable limitations:

The air is variable and random, thus sometimes be very

windy and sometimes not at all,

The electrical grids must cover demand, which notproportionally in line with the weather,

The storage air or electricity is not practical or economicallyfeasible to a usable level,

often, when more wind turbines are placed, the problem

becomes stronger.


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FIGURE 3: The level of

wind power feed-in

fluctuation depends on

the prevailing wind

strength. In 2004, wind

power production in the

E.ON area varied in real

terms between zero anda third of the daily peak

grid load.

According to the report

Wind Report 2005 ofE.ON Netz (German

Electricity Company)


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FIGURE 4: The maximum

monthly wind power feed-

in in 2004, which stood at

1,182 million kWh in

February, was almost twice

as high as the minimum

feed-in of 646 million kWh

in July.

The extreme fluctuations

in wind power feed-in due

to the weather are also

evident from a comparison

of the individual months

against the same periods

during the previous year.This is especially evident

for the months of February

and September.


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FIGURE 5: shows the annual

curve of wind power feed-in in

the E.ON control area for 2004,

from which it is possible to derive

the wind power feed-in duringthe past year:

1. The highest wind power feed-in

in the E.ON grid was just above

6,000MW for a brief period, or

put another way the feed-in was

around 85% of the installed windpower capacity at the time.

2. The average feed-in over the

year was 1,295MW, around one

fifth of the average installed wind

power capacity over the year.

3.Over half of the year, the windpower feed-in was less than 14%

of the average installed wind

power capacity over the year.


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FIGURE 12: Die Welt

(www.welt.de). The

neighboring networks

(Denmark, Austria)

saved Germany from

blackout on 8

December 2011, and

was offeredfluctuation energy

from wind farms in

Germany from 6.000

MW to 20.000 MW

within 12 hours
http://www.welt.de/http://www.welt.de/


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4. Deny the advantage of using RES

Wind power has failed in both areas

In recent years there has been growing voices

argue that wind power has failed in both

areas:

It is expensive

and not effective in reducingemissions of CO2.


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Jobs created by RES is a myth

opponents of renewable characterize as "a myth" the

new jobs created by the RES. The only jobs created is

limited to the design and implementation of projects,

but is temporary (consulting offices, skilledpersonnel, landscaping companies).

Thereafter the positions are few. It is calculated

that correspond one job for each investment

EUR 2.7 million

W ti f l th t "Ai liki B l h i SA" f i d t ti i l 19 8 MW


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We mention for example that "Aioliki Belecheri SA" for a wind power station nominal 19.8 MW,

for a total cost of 24.860.500 euros creates 2 jobs

and "Aioliki Zaraka Laconia SA" and "Aioliki Zaraka Spartilas & Kontorachi SA" joined in the

Development Law projects in places Kontorachi and Gaidourovouni Laconia overall investment of

42.234.000 euros and will create two jobs for each project ie 4 jobs


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Epilogue

It is obvious that the serious energy and environmental problems facing modern

society need more studies for energy and for the improve of energy and spatial

planning both at the national and European level.

Applications of Renewable Energy can provide a reliablebasis for a possible agreement between the citizens, theState, investors, relevants and specific for the realization ofan important part of new electricity production

investments under the basic condition that the EU willstick to redesign the entire framework, facing theproblems of RES and talking with the local communities.

Global Community must not see renewables simply asinvestment opportunities specific economic interests butas an investment in the future and future generations.

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