Updated 10/15/2009 06:06 AM
A New York dilemma: Wind power or weather forecasts
As with most new technologies, there can be some unintended consequences, both good and bad. And wind energy in New York State is no different. As our Neil St. Clair tells us, a phenomenon known as radar clutter is making life a bit more difficult for some meteorologists.
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NEW YORK STATE -- These 400 foot high wind turbines may be the next big thing for clean energy. But right now, they're a headache for weather forecasters.
"The problem that we have is that some of these large wind turbines are located fairly close to our radar systems. And the radar beam is sometimes confusing the wind turbine with precipitation," said Michael Evans, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Look closely at this NWS radar screen and you'll see what's known as wind-farm generated radar clutter near Erie County. Now here you'll see how an actual storm should appear.
Even radar towers set at 1,600 feet can't overcome the too-tall turbines. Meteorologists can tell the difference, but sometimes, Evans says, their complex algorithms can't.
"It makes us look at a few more sources of data than we would ordinarily have to look out to determine how severe a storm would be. At this point, it's more of an annoyance," said Evans.
In a worst case scenario, radar clutter can cause under or overstatements of storms here in New York, affecting storm warnings and forecasts. But in other states with heavier wind power and weather events, such as tornadoes, clutter can have a more serious affect.
"It is something that we're very concerned with. This is a public safety issue," said Laurie Jodziewicz, a spokesperson for the American Wind Energy Association, a trade group.
The NWS and the wind energy association have both been aware of the problem for several years. Neither believes it will offset the potential benefits of wind power, but changes are being made.
"Wind power provides no emissions, waste or drilling and while all those are important, we also have to understand how wind projects may affect resources agencies are designed to protect," said Jodziewicz.
Two possible solutions include reworking all NWS computer software or shutting down wind turbines when radars are active.
The National Weather Service says the biggest projects of concern in New York include those in Lewis and Erie counties.
The Montague radar near Lewis County's Maple Ridge Wind Farm has caused issues as far south and east as Binghamton and Albany.