UK STUDY CLEARS WIND AGAIN

Study rejects wind turbine "shadow flicker" fears; Government-commissioned report downplays concerns over light flickering effect from wind turbines
16 March 2011 (BusinessGreen)

"The so-called shadow flicker caused by wind turbines does not pose a ‘significant risk to health’ and is not a major issue for UK wind farms, according to a new independent study.

"…[Update of UK Shadow Flicker Evidence Base] from infrastructure firm Parsons Brinckerhoff was commissioned by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and peer-reviewed by independent experts…and DECC's Engineering and Analysis Team."

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"It assessed the impact of shadows cast by rotating wind turbine blades through constrained openings, such as the windows of neighbouring properties, a phenomenon known as shadow flicker that has been used by some anti-wind farm groups as a reason for opposing new developments."

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"Researchers only identified one case of shadow flicker in the UK and reported that in cases where problems have arisen, they have been resolved through mitigation measures, such as shutting down turbines for the period during the day when shadow flicker is an issue…The report also concluded that…’it should not cause a significant risk to health’…[and] proved that existing planning guidance relating to shadow flicker is fit for purpose and does not need to be changed…

"…[The UK government is preparing] for a parliamentary debate on a number of imminent changes to its Renewables Obligation subsidy mechanism…which will come into effect next month…[The changes] include the introduction of mandatory sustainability requirements for biomass and bioliquids used in energy projects, and new rules for offshore wind projects that allow developers to register groups of turbines for entry into the renewables obligation scheme in phases."