Austria: Offshore Wind Ecosystem Effects Discussed at EGU 2012

Several sessions concerning climate change and the need to reduce society’s dependence on fossil fuels were held at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) general assembly in Vienna last month, PhysicsToday reports.

Göran Broström of the Norwegian Meteorological Institute pointed out that the oceanographic and atmospheric community need to have a discussion about the influence before large offshore wind farms are built. Massive wind farms could affect ocean circulation patterns, temperature structures and nutrient cycling.

Though that kind of power producing has a great potential for easing environmental impact, compared with fossil fuels, its potential for other effects on the environment should not be underestimated.

Mr Broström added that the biggest wind farms are close to the coast so the impact on the ocean is difficult to see, and currently operating wind farms are small enough that ocean circulation effects might not be detected.

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Offshore WIND staff, May 16, 2012; Image: EGU