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.
Christine Metcalfe
Loch Avich, Taynuilt
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel