Pat Shingleton for May 4, 2012
In 2011, the world’s wind farms produced 238 gigawatts of electricity at any given moment, 21% higher than 2012. The Global Wind Energy Council predicts that by the end of 2016, nearly 500 gigawatts of electricity will be generated. Four of the world’s largest wind farms are in Texas. State University of New York at Albany researchers analyzed satellite data around these farms for 2003-2011. Reuters News Service reports a warming trend of 0.72 degrees Celsius per decade occurred over the farms, compared with nearby regions without wind farms. Investigations determined the temperature change could be an effect of energy generated by the wind farms and turbulent movement generated by turbine rotors. Fastcast: Sticky.
ADDITIONAL WEATHER INFORMATION:
TODAY: Hot… (Sunny Icon) 89/68
SATURDAY: Muy Bien (Sunny Icon) 89/69
SUNDAY: Muggy (Partly Cloudy Icon) 89/68
MONDAY: A Shower? (Partly Cloudy Icon) 88/68
TUESDAY: Another Shower? (Partly Cloudy Icon) 87/67
WEDNESDAY: Spotty Showers (Partly Cloudy Icon) 87/68