As wind energy becomes more popular, the negatives of the massive installations needs to be addressed. Noise, bird/bat deaths, and unsightliness are common issues with large turbines. Another concern not commonly addressed is the interference with radar systems.
The fast moving composite blades can reflect radar and can appear and cause confusion with military and civilian radar. This could potentially cause serious problems in the future.
A recent article from Technology Review discusses how the wind industry is addressing these concerns. A new coating is being used on the towers to absorb radio frequencies, and playing with new combination of composite materials and plastics in the skin is allowing for radar absorption as well.
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