Effects of climate change on wind power yield unclear, German scientists say

The effects of climate change on the yield of European wind turbines are far less clear than suggested by a recent study from the University of Colorado, Piotr Heller writes for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung. The study, published Nature Geoscience, argues that more rapid warming of polar regions compared to equatorial regions will reduce differences in air pressure and, consequently, wind speeds. But German scientists say the study lacks sufficient data and fails to account for regional wind peak levels. Daniela Jacob of the Hamburg Climate Service Centre Germany called the study “scientifically inadequate”. The Colorado researchers acknowledged weaknesses in data acquisition and conceded they cannot predict the development of wind yields in Europe, the article says. “Some of the 10 different models used even indicate wind power production will increase,” Heller writes.

See the CLEW dossier Onshore wind power in Germany for more information.