Study shows wind output to increase by 37 per cent due to climate shift

• 5 years ago (2019-11-20)
• David Flin

Wind 257

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A study published in Nature Climate Change said that global wind speeds are increasing, creating the potential for wind turbines to increase average output by 37 per cent in the next five years. Researchers calculated also that between 2010 and 2017, average wind speeds increased by roughly 7 per cent, leading to approximately 17 per cent more energy being generated from this cause.

Researchers said that the increase in wind speeds will continue for at least a decade, even though a response of large-scale “ocean-atmosphere oscillations” to man-made warming is unclear. The study found that these oscillations, which are naturally occurring cycles affecting sea surface temperature and precipitation, could be an explanation for the wind speed increase. The researchers also said that building turbines with larger capacities would be justified if high wind speeds are likely to be common.