Research from McGill University in Montreal has revealed that only about five percent of a wind farm’s area is occupied by infrastructure like turbines and roads. Remaining land can be used for agriculture, debunking the myth that wind farms consume excessive land.
The study, published in Environmental Science and Technology, used GIS and machine learning to analyze nearly 320 wind farms. Researchers found that wind turbines sited on agricultural land with pre-existing infrastructure are about seven times more efficient in terms of energy produced per square meter than projects developed from scratch. By placing wind turbines on land that already has roads and infrastructure, such as agricultural fields, the setup for wind energy becomes significantly more efficient.
Building on the shoulders of giants
Using existing structures minimizes the need for additional space and construction, streamlining the process and reducing the environmental footprint. Sarah Jordaan, a senior author on the study, explains, “The land use of wind farms has often been viewed as among the predominant challenges to wind development (…) but gas-fired generation offers no real benefits in terms of lesser land use.”
The United States’ National Renewable Energy Laboratory states that the actual footprint of a wind turbine is typically around 0.25 acres, not accounting for the required spacing between turbines. The company also provides a land-area calculator to estimate spatial requirements for wind power systems. Check it out here.
Wind turbines need to be spaced apart to avoid interference and maximize efficiency. Generally, turbines are spaced about seven rotor diameters apart. For instance, an 80-meter rotor requires spacing of about 560 meters (more than a third of a mile) from adjacent turbines. Despite this extensive overall area, typically only a very small fraction of the land within a wind farm is occupied by turbine infrastructure. The remaining 98-99 percent can continue to be used for agricultural activities like grazing or crop production. This dual land use supports both renewable energy production and agriculture simultaneously.
Good news for Europe too!
These new findings provide good news for wind energy expansion here in Europe, indicating that wind power can scale up without substantial land use conflicts. This potential for growth is crucial for meeting renewable energy targets while preserving agricultural productivity.
Understanding the true land use of wind farms is vital for the future of renewable energy. With only a small fraction of land needed for infrastructure and the rest available for agriculture, wind farms offer a dual benefit of clean energy and land productivity. This new perspective paves the way for more informed decisions in wind energy expansion.
For a more detailed analysis, refer to the study published in Environmental Science and Technology and additional insights from McGill University here.
