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Can renewable energy sources power the world?
Can renewable energy sources power the world?

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6.2 Electromagnetic interference


When a wind turbine is positioned between a radio, television or microwave transmitter and receiver as shown in figure 16 it can sometimes reflect some of the electromagnetic radiation in such a way that the reflected wave interferes with the original signal as it arrives at the receiver. This can cause the received signal to be distorted significantly.

Scattering of radio signals by a wind turbine
Figure 16 Scattering of radio signals by a wind turbine

The extent of electromagnetic interference caused by a wind turbine depends mainly on the materials used to make the blades and on the surface shape of the tower. In the UK, Ofcom maintains a website that provides guidance on wind farms and electromagnetic interference (Ofcom, 2011).

Can wind turbines interfere with military radar? You’ll look at that next.