The header image shows the Hawaiian island of Kauai.
A band of clouds can be clearly seen over the ocean, becoming increasingly dense from left to right. Driven by the wind, it flows continuously across the island like a flying river.
As the moist air is forced to rise along the mountain slopes, it cools, the water vapor condenses, and falls as rain. This precipitation feeds the Wailua River and its famous Wailua Falls.
Wind Energy in the Tension Between Humans and Nature
For many, wind energy is regarded as the most important component and a central pillar of the energy transition. However, there is little critical examination of the issue of energy extraction from the tropospheric system or of its potential impacts on nature, the landscape, and climatic processes, even though more than 130,000 wind turbines with a combined installed capacity of 304 GW are operating in Europe alone.
In 2025, these turbines generated approximately 585 TWh of electricity, corresponding to an average electrical output of just under 67 GW. Due to conversion losses, the actual rate of energy extraction from the tropospheric system is estimated to be about three times higher, amounting to approximately 200 GW.
Such a massive intervention cannot be without consequences. Nevertheless, further expansion is being strongly pushed forward!
This site presents fundamental physical principles in an objective manner, discusses possible interconnection and raises critical questions.
It also invites readers to form their own well-founded opinion.
An Overview of Key Questions about Wind Energy
Assessing the use of wind energy is a complex and controversially discussed topic.
This website aims to contribute to a better understanding of the overall subject. It provides knowledge to help clarify relationships and to place different aspects into a comprehensible context.
- How do wind turbines influence airflows?
- How is the atmosphere structured?
- What are the tropospheric circulation cells?
- What role does the water cycle play in the climate system?
- What impacts does the use of wind energy have on weather and climate?
- What are the consequences of the distribution of heat fluxes and latent heat in the air?
- What open questions remain in current research?
The content is intended for anyone who wishes to engage with these topics in a well-founded and comprehensible manner.
