As a professional engineer with a long and continuous involvement with the
research and development of radar components and systems for both civil and
military applications, I find your news item mystifying (Livelihoods at
risk as Westminster sues SNP over family-run wind farm, News, October 4).
The known science actually reaffirms that there is no fundamental physical
constraint that prohibits the accurate detection of aircraft around wind
farms.
It is well known that wind farm turbines can interfere with radar signals
causing “clutter” on display screens. However, since turbine locations are
fixed and since blades rotate within strictly limited speed ranges, this
clutter is not unpredictable and can be accommodated by modern radars,
through adjustments to signal processing software. Where this is not
possible with older established radar installations, stealth technology, as
used on modern military aircraft and battleships, can be applied to the
wind turbines to reduce their “radar signatures”. The technology has been
successfully applied to trial structures. Potentially, it should attract
minimal extra cost to the turbine manufacturer.
That the MOD has contested the construction of wind turbines in the line of
sight of radar, thus stalling development of several thousands of megawatts
of wind energy, is perverse and unnecessary from a purely technological
perspective. Unfortunately, a large number of such denials has represented
a significant impediment to addressing the arguably more serious issue of
climate change and to the nation’s mandated requirement to grow our use of
sustainable energy.
Alan J Sangster
Edinburgh
Tom Gordon’s article raises important issues (Westminster bid to scupper
Scottish renewable project could bankrupt family business, News, October
4). Not least the shameful use by the SNP Government of our farming
fraternity to support their own political aims. The hill farmer concerned
is right to rail against being urged to diversify into renewables without
full disclosure of existing dis-benefits and risks.
There are two aspects that are irrefutable. One is the immense empathy felt
for this particular family’s plight, but the other is that no renewable
energy technology must be permitted to compromise passenger and air crew
safety. With this in mind, it appears crucial that the MOD win this case in
order to protect all those potentially affected. Also that the Civil
Aviation Authority answers the Freedom of Information questions they now
have before them on the subject of wind turbines and air traffic safety.
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Christine Metcalfe
Loch Avich, Taynuilt
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