Wind Turbines, Near Tracy, CA, 2010.
A histogram of pixels at https://www.flickr.com/photos/mattblaze/4491948497
#photography
This was captured near the Tesla substation (no relation to the car company) near Altamont Pass with a DSLR and a 400mm lens, compressing the turbines in a way that made them resemble a histogram.
There’s a lot of power being generated in those hills. The was an audible hum in the air and vibrations could be felt in the ground. In some spots, the camera rebooted from induced currents.
Infrastructure like this is easy to ignore, but has an accidental beauty that I think is worth examining.
The scale of these wind farms is beyond what we’re equipped to process in day-to-day human experience. They conquer the landscape in ways we can’t fully comprehend even when they’re in front of us. In a sense, they’re abstract sculptures of themselves, mostly visible in fleeting glances from interstate highways or airplane windows.
@[email protected] In 2024 wind farms are still growing fast. The Netherlands now has approximately 4GW of sea-based wind, which delivers an average of ~50% of rated power. In 2030 they want to have 30 GW, in 2050 it should be 70 GW. I can see between 2-3 GW at 20-60 km distance from my bedroom window. No vibrations here. This is the panoramic image capturing the scene. https://share.icloud.com/photos/018OeydkiARWE2Sc2hHWCCjWg
There’s an INSANE amount of solar production in the red outlined section of the the map image attached. Driving through it is nuts. It’s like a sci Fi movie, miles and miles of silver, towers, power infra.
@[email protected] it’s interesting to compare that to the pollution footprint from fossil plants as well. Especially where fracking is used you often get a disturbingly large plume of unhealthy air and groundwater. But just the “soot zone” (now hopefully metaphorical rather than literal) around and downwind of generators surprises many people by its size and impact.
@mattblaze
Around Palm Springs CA there are a lot of turbines. They do dominate the landscape but then again so does the interstate and all the buildings.@[email protected] It’s often challenging to distinguish dogwhistling from “just making a comment”.
I was reacting to the commentary more than the photo. And from Australia, where we get a lot of “look at this ghastly blight” discussion of wind farms. Hence the reminder that visual pollution might be annoying but air pollution kills and maims.
I suspect your mental context was “this is a cool photo” but “conquering the landscape” isn’t a positive or even neutral framing.
@[email protected] I wish you luck in your future efforts to save yourself from the embarrassment of making completely unwarranted assumptions.
@[email protected] I obviously misunderstood your comment as a request for explanation. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry for doing that…
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@[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] I’ve never yet had a bird object to how I photographed it.
@[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] That’s presumably because the birds are over on the bird site.
@SteveBellovin @mattblaze @Asbestos @moz
THAT YOU KNOW OF.
@SteveBellovin @mattblaze @moz
Steve,You better hope it’s not a crow or raven that objects to your picture of the. They have long memories and will enlist help to menace their enemies.
@[email protected]
I wasn’t trying them and didn’t think your post was attacking them. Just sort of a general observation. But I see your point
@[email protected] I have passed by those turbines many times! Great shot!
@[email protected] Because getting an idle turbine started requires energy input, there’s some interesting statistical analysis of wind conditions to determine whether starting one will be a net gain.
@[email protected] Nice photo, Matt.
I love wind turbines. I could sit and watch them for hours. Mesmerizing.
@[email protected] interesting they have them more or less in a straight line. The ones here sort-of meander along the ridge. I’m sure there is a good reason for doing either arrangement.
