Wind farm development is playing a huge role in a clean energy future.  While mass wind power may offer a beneficial energy alternative, the construction of wind farms creates a great deal of controversy – from the destruction of natural habitats and dangers to birds and bats to the actual effectiveness of wind as an energy source.  Some even argue that wind farms are ugly, disrupting the scenic coastlines and natural beauty of the world.  Take a look at these wind farm pictures and let us know your thoughts – ugly or simply amazing?

Image by Wayfinder_73

The San Gorgonio Pass wind farm is one of the largest in California, generating 615 MW of power and comprised of 3,218 turbines.  

The world’s first floating wind turbine began producing energy just a few months ago, installed off the coast of Norway.  If the Hywind performs as expected over the next 2 years of testing, the concept could make offshore wind farm development much more efficient.

Whitelee wind farm went live in late May of this year and is currently the largest wind farm in Europe.  Located in East Renfrewshire, Scotland, the onshore farm includes 140 turbines and can generate enough electricity to power 180,000 homes.

Maple Ridge wind farm is currently New York’s largest wind farm and is located in the rural farming area of Lewis County.  Operational since 2006, Maple Ridge is responsible for nearly 75% of New York’s total wind power capacity.

This alternative energy concept creates an entirely new look for typical wind farms.  Designed by an Arizona State University student, freeway sign wind turbines like these could generate enough electricity to supply a small apartment at low wind speeds and require no additional land usage.

Horns Rev wind park, off the coast of Denmark, was was the world’s largest offshore wind farm when it was constructed in 2002.  The 2nd phase, Horns Rev 2, will push the farm ahead of the present offshore leader.  Still, the Greater Gabbard wind farm currently under construction in the Thames Estuary will be the largest wind farm in the world when it becomes operational in 2011.

The present title holder for the world’s largest offshore wind farm became operational in late 2008 off the coast of Lincolnshire, England. Lynn and Inner Dowsing wind farm generates power for 130,000 homes but will be surpassed by the Greater Gabbard park mentioned above.

Another of California’s amazing wind farms, Tehachapi Pass is also one of the oldest wind farms still in operation.  Since the early 1980’s, turbines in this area near the Mojave Desert have been upgraded and expanded.  Currently about a dozen different companies generate electricity in the Tehachapi Pass wind farm.

The World’s Most Amazing Wind Farms is a post from: Ecoble

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By Mysi Anne via Flickr

Global warming has been discussed and debated until we’re all about sick of hearing the debates and discussions. Instead of analyzing scientific data or arguing over who’s to blame for climate change, take a look at these intriguing global warming images of the shocking and unusual changes we’ve experienced in recent years. These oddities may or may not prove that global warming is real in your book, but they’re amazing nonetheless!

Vegas Wonderland

December 2008, Las Vegas sees their first big snowfall in 30 years.

Sheffield Underwater

June 2007 floods in the UK. Photo by Random_Dave

Extreme Weather in the Land Down Under

The Heat is On in Southern Cal

2007 California wildfires Malibu. Photo by kia40671

Northwest Forest Massacre

Tree death rates in old growth forests have doubled in the last 50 years. Photo by Weatherbox

Ike the Terrible

Galveston Island, TX underwater 2 days before Ikes Sept.14, 2008 landfall. AP Photo by David Phillip

Goodbye Froggy

Frog populations have been declining around the world since the late 1980s. Green frog by Hamed Saber

Dry in the Southeast

Lake Alatoona in Georgia near the public side of a campground swimming area during the widespread drought of 2007. Photo by mjn9

Icy China

The worst winter weather in half a century left thousands without electricity, homes, and transportation in early 2008.

We’re Not in Kansas

Feb. 2008, at least 48 deaths blamed on tornadoes from Texas to Indiana.

Definitely Not Kansas

Hot, Hot, Hot

This summer's undergarments will be invisible. Image from focalplane

The Dry Sunburned Country

Victorian side of Lake Hume during 2007 drought. Photo by suburban bloke

Humongous Twister

This tornado touched down briefly in Mitchell County, Iowa in June 2008. AP Photo by Lori Mehmen

An Icy 2007 for the Eastern US

Ice in Texas during the January storms that created winter chaos up and down the east coast. Photo by jonmatthew photography

Katrina the Devastater

The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in Bay St. Louis, MS - tires still look good anyway! Photo by St Louis Garage

Texas Flames Continue to Blaze

Already responsible for the destruction of 6 homes and over 6200 acres, as well as a death, extreme wildfires continue to ravage Texas. AP/The Reporter-News, Ronald W. Erdrich

Monster Typhoons

Typhoon Saomai claimed over 100 lives and more than 50,000 homes in China, Aug. 2006. The worst storm in half a century. Via National Geographic

Hurricane Omaha

Worst Storm in a Century

July, 2007 - heavy rain, wind, and lightening trapped hundreds and destroyed homes in Chongqing, China. Image via ChinaDaily.com

20 Amazing Images Attributed to Global Warming is a post from: Ecoble

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Check out 10 of the most impressive hydrogen powered innovations:

1. The Honda FCX Clarity is sleek, fast, and produces zero emissions. Unfortunately it is mega-expensive and dependent on a hydrogen filling station so only a lucky 600 southern California residents will have the luxury of leasing the Clarity.

Click here to view the embedded video.

2.

Photo/Tom Lynn

This colorful float was featured in Racine, Wisconsin’s Fourth of July parade. Created by Racine-based Modine Manufacturing Company, the float uses a fuel cell that converts “hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, water, and heat” to power animations and sounds – like the moving elephant that sprays water from his trunk.

3. Both Orlando International Airport and SeaWorld in Orlando have introduced hydrogen fueled shuttles, eliminating carbon emissions by nearly 100%.

ford.digitalsnippets.com/environment

4. UltraCell Corporation in Livermore, CA has perfected the first micro fuel cell. The XX25 Fuel cell provides a reliable power source for mobile electronics in remote areas and has been used by the US Army for several years.

Photo: US Navy

5. The Tigergen I was created by the Mizzou Hydrogen Car Team at the University of Missouri. The hydrogen fuel cell car will take part in the 2400 mile Solar Car Challenge to demonstrate the possibilities of hydrogen power.

Click here to view the embedded video.

6. This house runs completely on solar and hydrogen power. Owner Mike Strizki also operates a car and a lawnmower powered by hydrogen, as well as an electric motorcycle and speedboat.

Photo: ©DAVID BIELLO

7. Zero to 60 in 3.5 and a tremendous 40 miles to the gallon, the Scorpion Supercar by Ronn Motor Company is the ultimate eco-friendly sports coupe. The Scorpion features a high-performance hybrid engine that uses a Hydrorunner hydrogen on demand injection system to decrease emissions and increase efficiency.

Photo: Ronn Motor Company

8. The Pearl Hydrogen Bike travels up to 25km per hour and conveniently folds for easy storage or transport.

9.  
Photo: Bryan Patrick

California’s environmentally friendly Christmas tree uses LED lights and a hydrogen fuel cell system to eliminate greenhouse emissions.

10. The Hydrastax 5000 is scheduled to be available later this year and can power the average size home on hydrogen.

Photo: SFC

The possibility of a hydrogen economy is becoming more of a reality with each new creation. Subscribe to Ecoble to keep up with the latest in hydrogen news and visit the US Department of Energy to learn more.

Hydrogen Powered – The 10 Most Amazing Uses of Hydrogen Fuel is a post from: Ecoble

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In fact, the recent revision to the underestimated numbers released earlier now states that “more than 16,000 species (are) threatened with extinction.” According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), “One in three amphibians, one in four mammals, one in eight birds and 70% of plants so far assessed for its Red Lists of Threatened Species are believed to be at risk.”

At the same time, there are hundreds of new fish and plant species being discovered in the earth’s waters. Not all of these new faces will survive the ongoing climate change and some can harm other populations – but there have been some amazing discoveries beneath the sea in recent years.

Take a look at 5 of the most unusual new ocean species:

1. This interesting guy, named the Maluku frogfish, has humanlike vision with front-facing eyes.

(M. Snyder/starknakedfish.com)

2. The Antarctic Octopus features psychedelic colors not seen in other species.

Photograph © E. Jorgensen/Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research

3. Greenpeace discovered a new sponge in the fragile Bering Sea.

   Click here to view the embedded video.

4. The Narkidae is a new species of electric ray that uses a sucking action similar to a household vacuum cleaner during feeding.



5. This baby octopus is one of 1,000 new creatures discovered in 2006 near the Bermuda Triangle.

Photo Credit: Russ Hopcroft, University of Alaska Fairbanks, NOAA, Census of Marine Life, 2006

Be a part of the action – name your own species.

For as little as $5,000 you can name one of the hundreds of new creatures discovered beneath the ocean’s surface each year. Scripps Institute of Oceanography in San Diego is inviting supporters to name a new species for donation amounts that vary depending on the species.

This newly discovered nudibranch, housed in the Scripps Oceanographic Collections, is available to be named by a donor.

Learn more about the effects of climate change on the ocean here.

Tomorrow’s Oceans – The Effects of Climate Change Under the Sea is a post from: Ecoble

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The original Spiral Island was the talk of the world: a man-made floating island constructed from 250,000 plastic bottles that could drift and relocate as needed until it was destroyed by disaster. Now the new Spiral Island is slated to open to the public within the next few months in Laguna Makax near Isla Mujeres. The new island has drawn in donations, volunteers and visitors from all parts of the world and walks of life – people inspired by what may be one of the most impressive do-it-yourself projects of modern times.

(Above: the old Spiral Island, Below: The new one under construction)

The infamous island has been at the center of controversies with each step forward as any endeavor this industrious and unusual is likely to be. Some claim it is a brilliant environmental design – using almost exclusively recycled materials in its construction. Others note that when the last island was destroyed it resulted in the littering of its materials and is in many ways the work of a single insane architectural genius. Still, were it not for that catastrophe those materials would still be providing a home for some and destination for others with a minimal use of non-recycled parts and clearly its creators never intended for it to be demolished in such a fashion.

There is a variety of media available to people who want to learn more about spiral island. The Spiral Islanders site has forums, a blog, photo collections and videos related to the construction and history of the island as well as the stories and experiences of those who have worked on it and the areas in which they have done so. It is easy to see how, as people learn more and more about the project, they become increasingly intrigued and many ultimately end up visiting and helping with the island itself. The Ripley’s Believe-It-Or-Not video below and photo collection are also a great place to get a feel for the island.

Find more photos like this on Richie Sowa’s Spiral Island

Update: New Floating Man-Made Island About to be Open to the Public is a post from: Ecoble

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