Yes. If they didn’t, we would place them in dense grids, separated by only as large a distance to prevent them from colliding with each other when they turn in response to changes in wind direction.
Also, there’s the small matter of conservation of energy. Wind turbines turn kinetic energy from moving air into electricity. That means the moving air must lose kinetic energy. It won’t lose mass, so it has to lose velocity.
It seems, if we did reduce global wind speeds with all the new friction of turbines, their would be less transfer of air between poles and tropical areas. Thus, the northland wouldn't warm as much as it currently is. Then a cooler Arctic would mean more driving force for winds. A negative feedback loop.
Someone|5 years ago
Also, there’s the small matter of conservation of energy. Wind turbines turn kinetic energy from moving air into electricity. That means the moving air must lose kinetic energy. It won’t lose mass, so it has to lose velocity.
Sample of a paper discussing this: https://www.pnas.org/content/113/48/13570
qndreoi|5 years ago
frombody|5 years ago
They do, however, redistribute moisture and heat which can contribute to temperature changes.