wind and solar

This is how Windweasels Roll…with Bribes, to Silence Their Critics!

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Perthshire turbines “bribes” claim

A windfarm developer has again been accused of handing out “bribes” to hush up potential critics of its plans in Perthshire

 
Plans for Perthshire’s biggest ever windfarm are causing controversy

A windfarm developer has again been accused of handing out “bribes” to hush up potential critics of its plans in Perthshire.

Banks Renewables, the company behind a bid to build the biggest turbines the Big County has ever seen on the Bandirran Estate near Balbeggie, recently gave Burrelton Bowling and Tennis Club £4,500 in cash so it could pay to resurface its outdoor courts.

Development director Colin Anderson said Banks were “proud” to support the club and that many more local organisations could benefit from their “community fund” – should their planning application to construct six 132m high turbines be approved.

But anti-windfarm campaign group Scotland Against Spin panned the developer over the payment, claiming the donation had been made to “buy support or silence objections” to its windfarm proposals.

A community councillor also raised his concerns about Banks promising cash to local groups before their planning application has been considered by Perth and Kinross Council, describing it as a “corruption of the planning process”.

Banks came under fire for a similar reason last year after it emerged they had written to residents offering them up to £90,000 “not to object to nor support any objection to any application for planning permission in respect of the wind farm”.

Scotland Against Spin spokeswoman Linda Holt told the PA the cash donation to Burrelton Bowling and Tennis Club was not “technically illegal”, but described such payments as “unethical” and claimed they had the potential to “split communities”.

“Banks has plenty of form when it comes to giving individuals and groups money,” she said.

“The reason is always the same: to buy support, or silence objections, for a wind farm which for very good reasons local people don’t want.

“Sometimes such deals are secret; sometimes they are public, like this one, because Banks want to exploit them for maximum positive publicity.

“Although technically not illegal, promising people money before a controversial application is decided is unethical. It splits communities.

“Anyone who might want to oppose the wind farm can be made to feel they are depriving some worthy local group of much-needed cash.

“Bribes like this make it much harder for people to decide on an application on purely planning grounds, which is of course what the developer wants, especially if the planning grounds for a wind farm like this one are so weak.

“There is one reason and one reason only why Banks has given Burrelton Tennis Club money: to discourage local people from objecting.”

Burrelton and District community council chairman Martin Payne told the PA he only found out about Banks offering cash to local groups through village rumours.

He raised the issue with Banks representatives at a steering group meeting held before they put in the planning application, where he argued they should not make any donations until the planning process had concluded.

“I felt what they were doing was fundamentally wrong,” he said.

“Here they were, about to put in an application for a highly contentious windfarm, and secretly making money available to people directly affected by it.

“It is wholly unsatisfactory. It is a corruption of the planning process and it should not be allowed.”

But Mark Dowdall, environment and community director of Banks Group, said: “The Banks Community Fund provides support to community groups, voluntary organisations and environmental projects that are charitable, educational, philanthropic or benevolent in purpose and are located close to a current or proposed Banks Group development and deliver a benefit to their local community.

“The fund is completely independent of and separate from the planning process and applications are fully and properly reviewed by an independent grants panel set up by the Community Foundation that administers the Banks Community Fund.

“Our policy is to ensure that we work in partnership with the local communities that host our developments so that they can also share in the benefits that our business creates.

“We are extremely proud that, since it was established in 1997, the Banks Community Fund has granted £2.7 million in grants and benefited more than 80,000 people.

“Irrespective of what decision Perth & Kinross Council makes on that planning application, we are glad to have made a positive and meaningful contribution to community life in this area during the two years we have been working here to develop our plans.

“The Bandirran scheme has won widespread backing for the many benefits it would deliver to the area, should it be given the go-ahead, which further demonstrate our commitment to enhancing and benefiting communities where we operate.

“Local communities would share the revenues generated to invest in local causes and projects important to them. Funding would also be created for workplace training and job creation schemes and apprenticeships.

“Local businesses will have the opportunity to benefit from a significant amount of all construction-related contracts, delivering a real shot in the arm to the local community.

“Meanwhile the owners of Bandirran Estate say their share of revenues would secure the future of the estate, with money reinvested to create jobs and increase sustainability.”

The Wind Developers should be Jumping at the Chance, to Make Reparations, for What They are Doing to Residents.

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3rd time posting due to it being deleted.

Please all victim’s join Victim’s of Industrial Wind here on Facebook.

We would like to thank First Wind and all of their supporters for making our home a living hell. Trying to sit outside on a nice night enjoy a little bonfire, not happening. Hard to enjoy anything while sitting in that obnoxious noise, you just get angrier and angrier as you are pelted by this unnatural sound.

First Wind, kindly do the right thing. Buy us out at a reasonable price so we can find a new home that is not a crap hole. For the pittance you may be willing to part with wouldn’t be enough to get us into much more that a trailer rental. We only asked for $150,000. …….. pocket change to you folks, what is the problem? 
You have already set precedent when you bought out Mary Ellen Jones in New York. You gave her fair market value, moving expenses and she did not have to sign a non disclosure gag order. Just do what is right.

 
  
 

 

Britain Wins Two More Battles Against Wind Developments!

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The Battle for Britain: Wind Farm Wins Mount

July 9, 2014 by  

Dark blue world2

It’s always delightful to report on wind farm developers being seen off by the hard work of dedicated locals.

This time we’ve got twice the reason for jubilation: a High Court judge has dismissed an appeal by a developer hoping to despoil Burnham-On-Sea; while another developer seeing the writing on the wall has pulled the plug on its High Court appeal and, therefore, its project in Cumbria.

Judge throws out appeal for controversial Huntspill wind farm plans
burnham-on-sea.com
28 June 2014

Controversial proposals for a wind farm near Burnham-On-Sea were dealt a further blow by a High Court judge on Friday (June 27th), delighting campaigners fighting the scheme.

Green energy firm Ecotricity wanted to install four wind turbines at West Huntspill, but its scheme was turned down by Sedgemoor District Council and the company appealed to the Planning Inspectorate, which held an inquiry last year.

The inspector concluded that the turbines should be put up, but Secretary of State Eric Pickles over-ruled that recommendation and threw out the plans earlier this year.

However, Ecotricty appealed against the Secretary of State’s decision to over rule the Planning Inspectorate’s recommendation and refuse the application.

A hearing was held at the High Court in London on Friday when the judge dismissed Ecotricity’s appeal, saying there was no case to overturn the Secretary of State’s decision.

julie trott

Julie Trott, pictured, who has long campaigned against the plans in her role on the Huntspill Wind Farm Action Group, told Burnham-On-Sea.com she was “delighted” by the judgement.

“I and many residents are absolutely delighted by this decision which is the right decision for our area,” she said.

Sedgemoor district councillor Bob Filmer, who chairs the council’s planning committee, told Burnham-On-Sea.com he too is pleased with the outcome.

“The court’s decision endorses the local view of Sedgemoor District Council and the judgement of Eric Pickles in turning down the scheme. It’s great news for those residents who were concerned by the plans.”

Residents in Rooksbridge are now waiting to see whether the court ruling has any impact on the Planning Inspectorate’s consideraion of the Pilrow Farm wind farm site.

In a letter from the Department of Communities and Local Government, the Secretary of State said earlier this year he was turning down the Black Ditch plans because they would have had a “significant adverse impact on local landscape character, scenic quality and distinctive landscape features”.

He added that while the scheme “offers a considerable benefit” in meeting the need for renewable energy, “the harm that this scheme would cause to the landscape and visual impact” outweighed the benefits.
burnham-on-sea.com

Meanwhile, at Whitehaven in Cumbria, the locals have collected another win. This time, having fought and beaten the developer at the local planning level and beaten off an appeal by the developer to the Secretary of State, the developer (Banks Renewables) pulled the plug on the project. It withdrew – despite its sabre rattling that it would run an appeal in the High Court.

Developer drops windfarm plans after protest campaign
News & Star
Jenny Barwise
26 June 2014

People power has triumphed for hundreds of objectors against a windfarm development, as the company behind the scheme pulled its appeal at the eleventh hour.

Plans for the £17 million Weddicar Rigg windfarm, near Whitehaven, were revealed three years ago.

Since then a fierce battle has raged between protesters and the developers, Banks Renewables.

Six hundred people lodged objections against the scheme, earmarked for land between Moresby Parks and Frizington, and it looked as though they had won as Copeland councillors threw the plans out on the grounds of negative visual impact.

The company lodged an appeal but after a six-day inquiry, the Secretary of State upheld Copeland’s decision.

Banks Renewables carried on its fight saying it would take the case to the High Court in London to appeal the grounds of the process, and a date was set for a hearing this month.

The Durham-based company has now made a U-turn and has withdrawn its challenge with “immediate effect”.

Phil Dyke, development director at Banks Renewables, said he still believed there was a “strong case” to put before the High Court, but that in the present political climate was “unlikely” to get a satisfactory outcome for the project as a whole.

The news has been welcomed by those who resisted the development.

Moresby councillor Geoff Blackwell, said he was pleased that Banks have “at last accepted” that the earmarked land was not the “right location”.

“I would like to thank all those people who had taken the time to respond in writing to the planning department and turn up at the planning panel and planning inquiry to put their views forward,” added Mr Blackwell.

“I feel that the right decision has at last been accepted.”

David Colborn, chair of Friends of Rural Cumbria’s Environment, said: “The voice of local people has for too long been ignored by the developers of both windfarms and single turbines.

“They have a history of riding roughshod over local opinion and have attempted to justify their schemes with the promise of ‘community funds’.

“The reality is that no amount of money can compensate for the misery that is caused to people living near turbines, let alone the devaluation of their properties.”

Mr Dyke said that Banks Renewables would look at ways in the future to bring the “very well-designed” and “sensibly-located” scheme forward again.
News & Star

There’s nothing quite like victory. Unless we’re talking about two in a row!!

dark_blue_world_by_0greyfox0-d49ncl1

The Horrors of Wind Turbine Noise!

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“There is a pressure pulsation emitted into the community once every second” (Wind Turbine Noise Expert)

Jul 8, 2014

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Editor’s note:  Rick James is, without doubt, one of North America’s premier experts on wind turbine noise.  Unlike the great majority of noise engineers who have sold their souls and ethics to the wind energy industry, Mr. James can’t be “bought.”  Together with Rob Rand and Steve Ambrose, Rick has exposed the deceit and mendacity of wind company acoustic consultants — as in their fraudulent use of A-weighted noise measurements, for instance.

We all owe these three gentlemen a huge debt of gratitude.

thump2

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— Richard James, Noise Engineer (7/8/14).  Click for PDF, with all graphs included.

As the blade passes the tower, the low frequency noise and infrasound is generated at a frequency related to the hub’s rotation and number of blades. These pressure pulsations appear as tones during analysis, but are not heard as tones by most people. Instead, they may feel the pressure changes as pulsations, internal organ vibrations, or as a pain (like ear aches or migraines).

This frequency is called the Blade Pass Frequency, often abbreviated as BPF.

For modern utility-scale wind turbines, this frequency is at 1Hz or lower.  A three-bladed wind turbine with a hub rotation of 20 revolutions per minute (rpm) has a BPF of 1Hz. This means there is a pressure pulsation emitted into the community once every second.  At 15 rpm the BPF is 0.75 Hz; and at 10 rpm, 0.5 Hz.

When wind turbine blades rotate past the tower, a short pressure pulse occurs, producing a burst of infrasound.  When analyzed, the result is a well-defined array of tonal harmonics below 10 Hz.

For impulsive sound of this type, the harmonics are all “phase-correlated.” This means the peaks of each occur at the same time. Thus, the peaks add together in a linear fashion, with their individual maximum sound pressures all coinciding.

Thus, for an impulse having 4 equal amplitude harmonics (BPF, 2nd, 3rd and 4th) each of the same amplitude, the peak level is +12 dB.  Ten equal harmonics would produce a peak level of +20 dB.

Rick James

Wind Developers Always Try to Conceal the Facts!

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East Oxford group files FOI for wind farm details

By Jennifer Vandermeer, Norwich Gazette/IngersollTimes

The alliance (EOCA) has filed Freedom of Information requests and asked the Ontario Ombudsman to look into it because of the number of changes that have been made to the project without due process for the public to participate.

Joan Morris, spokesperson for EOCA, said one issue is the “substantive changes” to the project since it was first filed with the MOE and considered complete and accurate.

“A change to the project area was announced to the public only four days before the application was deemed complete by the Ministry on February 7, 2014,” Morris also said in a press release. “Apart from a cover page from the Ministry of Environment, none of the documents for public review and comment were modified to account for the changes.”

Morris said this left hundreds of pages of irrelevant information in the project proposal, with the public left to figure out what information remained relevant.

“It’s impossible for the public to even know what this will look like,” she said in a telephone interview Monday afternoon.

In the EOCA’s letter to the Ontario Ombudsman’s office, the group also points out that it has identified many inaccuracies, deficiencies and out-dated information in the proponent’s documentation.

The ministry deemed the Renewable Energy Approval documentation for the Gunn’s Hill project to be complete despite a change in the project announced only four days before posting it to the Environmental Registry.

“This is unacceptable,” the letter states.

“Our legal advice suggests that it appears the Ministry of Environment has not only allowed this to occur, but has participated in this process by providing the developer with a cover letter absolving the developer of the obligation to revise documents prior to… posting,” the letter further states, before asking the Ombudsman’s office to investigate the process of decision-making the MOE uses regarding renewable energy projects.

This action by EOCA comes at the same time Wind Concerns Ontario sent its own letter asking the Ombudsman to investigate aspects of the approval process for wind power projects that have been deemed complete but do not include all information.

 

Climate Alarmists Back Themselves into a Corner! FRAUD!

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Retraction Watch

Tracking retractions as a window into the scientific process

SAGE Publications busts “peer review and citation ring,” 60 papers retracted

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This one deserves a “wjvcow.”

SAGE Publishers is retracting 60 articles from the Journal of Vibration and Control after an investigation revealed a “peer review and citation ring” involving a professor in Taiwan.

Here’s the beginning of a statement from SAGE:

London, UK (08 July 2014) – SAGE announces the retraction of 60 articles implicated in a peer review and citation ring at the Journal of Vibration and Control (JVC). The full extent of the peer review ring has been uncovered following a 14 month SAGE-led investigation, and centres on the strongly suspected misconduct of Peter Chen, formerly of National Pingtung University of Education, Taiwan (NPUE) and possibly other authors at this institution.

In 2013 the then Editor-in-Chief of JVC, Professor Ali H. Nayfeh,and SAGE became aware of a potential peer review ring involving assumed and fabricated identities used to manipulate the online submission system SAGE Track powered by ScholarOne Manuscripts™. Immediate action was taken to prevent JVC from being exploited further, and a complex investigation throughout 2013 and 2014 was undertaken with the full cooperation of Professor Nayfeh and subsequently NPUE.

In total 60 articles have been retracted from JVC after evidence led to at least one author or reviewer being implicated in the peer review ring. Now that the investigation is complete, and the authors have been notified of the findings, we are in a position to make this statement.

While investigating the JVC papers submitted and reviewed by Peter Chen, it was discovered that the author had created various aliases on SAGE Track, providing different email addresses to set up more than one account. Consequently, SAGE scrutinised further the co-authors of and reviewers selected for Peter Chen’s papers, these names appeared to form part of a peer review ring. The investigation also revealed that on at least one occasion, the author Peter Chen reviewed his own paper under one of the aliases he had created.

SAGE and Nayfeh then confronted Chen with the allegations, and weren’t satisfied with the responses, so in September 2013 they alerted NPUE to the case. Chen resigned from NPUE on February 2, 2014, according to the release, and in May Nayfeh retired and resigned as editor in chief of the JVC.

Here’s the notice:

In 2013 the Editor of Journal of Vibration and Control and SAGE became aware of a peer review ring involving assumed and fabricated identities that appeared to centre around Peter Chen at National Pingtung University of Education, Taiwan (NPUE). SAGE and the Editor then began a complex investigation into the case during the rest of 2013 and 2014. Following an unsatisfactory response from Peter Chen, NPUE was notified.

NPUE were serious in addressing the Journal and SAGE’s concerns. NPUE confirmed that the institution was investigating Peter Chen. SAGE subsequently uncovered a citation ring involving the above mentioned author and others.

We regret that individual authors have compromised the academic record by perverting the peer review process and apologise to readers. On uncovering problems with peer review and citation SAGE immediately put steps in place to avoid similar vulnerability of the Journal to exploitation in the future. More information may be found at www.sagepub.co.uk/JVC_Statement_2014.

The Journal and SAGE understand from NPUE that Peter Chen has resigned his post at NPUE.

The following articles are retracted because after thorough investigation evidence points towards them having at least one author or being reviewed by at least one reviewer who has been implicated in the peer review ring and/or citation ring. All authors have had an opportunity to respond to the allegations and proposed actions.

OnlineFirst articles (these articles will not be published in an issue)

Chen CY, Chen T-H, Chen Y-H, Yu S-E and Chung P-Y (2013) Information technology system modeling an integrated C-TAM-TPB model to the validation of ocean tidal analyses Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 7 May 2013. doi: 10.1177/1077546312472924

Chang R-F, Chen CY, Su F-P and Lin H-C (2013) A two-step approach for broadband digital signal processing technique Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 26 April 2013. doi: 10.1177/1077546312472925

Chen TH, Chang CJ, Yu SE, Chung PY and Liu C-K (2013) Nonlinear information analysis and system management technique: the influence of design experience and control complexity Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 12 April 2013. doi: 10.1177/1077546312473321

Chen CY, Shih BY, Chen YH, Yu SE and Liu YC (2013) The exploration of a 3T flow model using vibrating NXT: II. Model validation Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 10 April 2013. doi: 10.1177/1077546312470481

Chen CY, Shih BY, Chen YH, Yu SE and Liu YC (2013) The exploration of 3T flow model using vibrating NXT: I. model formulation Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 6 February 2013. doi: 10.1177/1077546312467360

Lin M-L and Chen C-W (2013) Stability analysis of fuzzy-based NN modeling for ecosystems using fuzzy Lyapunov methods Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 6 February 2013. doi: 10.1177/1077546312466687

Chen CY, Chen TH, Chen YH and Chiu J (2012) A multi-stage method for deterministic-statistical analysis: a mathematical case and measurement studies Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 20 December 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312466579

Shih BY, Lin MC and Chen CY (2012) Autonomous navigation system for radiofrequency identification mobile robot e-book reader Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 13 December 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312466578

Chang RF, Chen CY, Su FP, Lin HC and Lu C-K (2012) Multiphase SUMO robot based on an agile modeling-driven process for a small mobile robot Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 13 December 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312464993

Shih B-Y, Lin Y-K, Cheng M-H, Chen C-Y and Chiu C-P (2012) The development of an application program interactive game-based information system Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 12 December 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312464682

Chen C-Y, Chang C-J and Lin C-H (2012) On dynamic access control in web 2.0 and cloud interactive information hub: technologies Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 12 December 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312464992

Shin BY, Chen CY and Hsu KH (2012) Robot cross platform system using innovative interactive theory and selection algorithms for Android application Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 13 November 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312463757

Articles published in an issue

Chen C-W (2014) Applications of neural-network-based fuzzy logic control to a nonlinear time-delay chaotic system Journal of Vibration and Control 20 (4): 589-605. Epub ahead of print 5 November 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312461370

Chen C-W (2014) A review of intelligent algorithm approaches and neural-fuzzy stability criteria for time-delay tension leg platform systems Journal of Vibration and Control 20 (4): 561-575. Epub ahead of print 5 November 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312463759

Chen C-Y, Chang C-J and Lin C-H (2014) On dynamic access control in web 2.0 and cloud interactive information hub: trends and theories Journal of Vibration and Control 20 (4): 548-560. Epub ahead of print 5 November 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312463762

Lin M-L and Chen C-W (2014) Stability conditions for ecosystem modeling using the fuzzy Lyapunov method Journal of Vibration and Control 20 (2): 290-302. Epub ahead of print 23 October 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312451301

Chen C-H, Kuo C-M, Hsieh S-H and Chen C-Y (2014) Highly efficient very-large-scale integration (VLSI) implementation of probabilistic neural network image interpolator Journal of Vibration and Control 20 (2): 218-224. Epub ahead of print 22 October 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312458822

Chen C-Y (2014) Wave vibration and simulation in dissipative media described by irregular boundary surfaces: a mathematical formulation Journal of Vibration and Control 20 (2): 191-203. Epub ahead of print 22 October 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312464258

Chen C-H, Yao T-K, Dai J-H and Chen C-Y (2014) A pipelined multiprocessor system- on-a-chip (SoC) design methodology for streaming signal processing Journal of Vibration and Control 20 (2): 163-178. Epub ahead of print 16 October 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312458821

Lin M-L and Chen C-W (2014) Fuzzy neural modeling for n-degree ecosystems using the linear matrix inequality approach Journal of Vibration and Control 20 (1): 82-93. Epub ahead of print 8 October 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312458533

Chen C-H, Wu W-X and Chen C-Y (2013) Ant-inspired collective problem-solving systems Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (16): 2481-2490. Epub ahead of print 18 September 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312456231

Chen C-H, Yao T-K, Kuo C-M and Chen C-Y (2013) Evolutionary design of constructive multilayer feedforward neural network Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (16): 2413-2420. Epub ahead of print 12 September 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312456726

Chen C-W (2013) Applications of the fuzzy-neural Lyapunov criterion to multiple time-delay systemsJournal of Vibration and Control 19 (13): 2054-2067. Epub ahead of print 16 August 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312451034

Chung P-Y, Chen Y-H, Walter L and Chen C-Y (2013) Influence and dynamics of a mobile robot control on mechanical components Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (13): 1923-1935. Epub ahead of print 20 July 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312452184

Chen C-W (2013) Neural network-based fuzzy logic parallel distributed compensation controller for structural system Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (11): 1709-1727. Epub ahead of print 22 June 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312442233

Chen C-W, Yeh K, Yang H-C, Liu KFR and Liu C-C (2013) A critical review of structural system control by the large-scaled neural network linear-deferential-inclusion-based criterion Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (11): 1658-1673. Epub ahead of print 18 June 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312443377

Chen C-H, Kuo C-M, Chen C-Y and Dai J-H (2013) The design and synthesis using hierarchical robotic discrete-event modeling Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (11): 1603-1613. Epub ahead of print 27 June 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312449645

Chang CJ, Chen CY and Chou I-T (2013) The design of information and communication technologies: telecom MOD strength machines Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (10): 1499-1513. Epub ahead of print 27 June 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312449644

Shih B-Y, Chen C-Y, Li K-H, Wu T-Y, Chen G-Y (2013) A novel NXT control method for implementing force sensing and recycling in a training robot Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (10): 1443-1459. Epub ahead of print 1 June 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312446361

Chen C-W, Chen P-C and Chiang W-L (2013) Modified intelligent genetic algorithm-based adaptive neural network control for uncertain structural systems Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (9): 1333-1347. Epub ahead of print 31 May 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312442232

Chen C-Y, Shih B-Y, Shih C-H and Wang L-H (2013) Enhancing robust and stability control of a humanoid biped robot: system identification approach. Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (8): 1199-1207. Epub ahead of print 26 April 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312442947

Chang C-J, Chen C-Y and Huang C-W (2013) Applications for medical recovery using wireless control of a bluetooth ball with a hybrid G-sensor and human-computer interface technology Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (8): 1139-1151. Epub ahead of print 24 April 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312442948

Hsu W-K, Chiou D-J, Chen C-W, Liu M-Y, Chiang W-L and Huang P-C (2013) Sensitivity of initial damage detection for steel structures using the Hilbert-Huang transform method Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (6): 857-878. Epub ahead of print 29 February 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546311434794

Chen C-Y, Shih B-Y, Shih C-H and Wang L-H (2013) Human–machine interface for the motion control of humanoid biped robots using a graphical user interface Motion Editor Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (6): 814-820. Epub ahead of print 23 February 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312437804

Chen C-Y (2013) Internal wave transport, nonlinear manifestation, and mixing in a stratified shear layer - technical briefs Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (3): 429-438. Epub ahead of print 18 January 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546311429337

Chen C-W (2013) Delay independent criterion for multiple time-delay systems and its application in building structure control systems Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (3): 395-414. Epub ahead of print 17 January 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546311429341

Chen C-Y, Shih B-Y, Shih C-H and Wang L-H (2013) Design, modeling and stability control for an actuated dynamic walking planar bipedal robot Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (3): 376-384. Epub ahead of print 17 January 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546311429476

Liu K-C, Liu Y-W, Chen C-Y and Huang W-C (2013) Nonlinear vibration of structural deterioration in reinforced concrete columns: experimental and theoretical investigation Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (3): 323-335. Epub ahead of print 17 January 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546311429477

Chen C-Y, Shih B-Y and Ma J-m (2013) Development for low-cost and cross-platform robot control environment Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (2): 228-233. Epub ahead of print 11 January 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546311430107

Shih B-Y, Chang H and Chen C-Y (2013) Path planning for autonomous robots – a comprehensive analysis by a greedy algorithm Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (1): 130-142. Epub ahead of print 17 January 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546311429841

Liu T-Y, Chiang W-L, Chen C-W, Hsu W-K, Lin C-W, Chiou D-J and Huang P-C (2012) Structural system identification for vibration bridges using the Hilbert–Huang transform Journal of Vibration and Control 18 (13): 1939-1956. Epub ahead of print 14 December 2011. doi: 10.1177/1077546311428347

Chen C-W (2012) Applications of the fuzzy Lyapunov linear matrix inequality criterion to a chaotic structural system Journal of Vibration and Control 18 (13): 1925-1938. Epub ahead of print 14 December 2011. doi: 10.1177/1077546311428346

Chen C-W (2012) Applications of linear differential inclusion-based criterion to a nonlinear chaotic system: a critical review Journal of Vibration and Control 18 (12): 1886-1899. Epub ahead of print 14 December 2011. doi: 10.1177/1077546311428345

Shih B-Y, Chen C-Y and Chou W (2012) An enhanced obstacle avoidance and path correction mechanism for an autonomous intelligent robot with multiple sensors Journal of Vibration and Control 18 (12): 1855-1864. Epub ahead of print 14 December 2011. doi: 10.1177/1077546311426734

Chen C-W, Yeh K, Liu KFR and Lin M-L (2012) Applications of fuzzy control to nonlinear time-delay systems using the linear matrix inequality fuzzy Lyapunov method Journal of Vibration and Control18 (10): 1561-1574. Epub ahead of print 18 October 2011. doi: 10.1177/1077546311410765

Chen C-Y (2012) A critical review of internal wave dynamics. Part 2 – Laboratory experiments and theoretical physics Journal of Vibration and Control 18 (7): 983-1008. Epub ahead of print 21 September 2011. doi: 10.1177/1077546310397561

Chen C-Y and Huang P-H (2012) Review of an autonomous humanoid robot and its mechanical control Journal of Vibration and Control 18 (7): 973-982. Epub ahead of print 21 September 2011. doi: 10.1177/1077546310395974

Shih B-Y, Chen C-Y, Chang H and Ma J-m (2012) Dynamics and control for robotic manipulators using a greedy algorithm approach Journal of Vibration and Control 18 (6): 859-866. Epub ahead of print 25 August 2011. doi: 10.1177/1077546311407649

Yeh K, Chen C-W, Lo DC and Liu KFR (2012) Neural-network fuzzy control for chaotic tuned mass damper systems with time delays Journal of Vibration and Control 18 (6): 785-795. Epub ahead of print 15 August 2011. doi: 10.1177/1077546311407538

Chen C-Y, Shih B-Y, Shih C-H and Chou W-C (2012) The development of autonomous low-cost biped mobile surveillance robot by intelligent bricks Journal of Vibration and Control 18 (5): 577-586. Epub ahead of print 21 April 2011. doi: 10.1177/1077546310371349

Chen C-Y (2012) A critical review of internal wave dynamics. Part 1 – Remote sensing and in-situ observations Journal of Vibration and Control 18 (3): 417-436. Epub ahead of print 13 July 2011. doi: 10.1177/1077546310395971

Tseng C-P, Chen C-W and Liu KFR (2012) Risk control allocation model for pressure vessels and piping project Journal of Vibration and Control 18 (3): 385-394. Epub ahead of print 13 July 2011. doi: 10.1177/1077546311403182

Lin M-L and Chen C-W (2011) Stability analysis of community and ecosystem hierarchies using the Lyapunov method Journal of Vibration and Control 17 (13): 1930-1937. Epub ahead of print 9 December 2010. doi: 10.1177/1077546310385737

Chen C-Y, Shih B-Y, Chou W-C, Li Y-J and Chen Y-H (2011) Obstacle avoidance design for a humanoid intelligent robot with ultrasonic sensors Journal of Vibration and Control 17 (12): 1798-1804. Epub ahead of print 26 November 2010. doi: 10.1177/1077546310381101

Chen C-W (2011) Fuzzy control of interconnected structural systems using the fuzzy Lyapunov method Journal of Vibration and Control 17 (11): 1693-1702. Epub ahead of print 23 November 2010. doi: 10.1177/1077546310379625

Shih B-Y, Chen C-Y and Chou W-C (2011) Obstacle avoidance using a path correction method for autonomous control of a biped intelligent robot Journal of Vibration and Control 17 (10): 1567-1573. Epub ahead of print 22 November 2010. doi: 10.1177/1077546310372004

Tang J-P, Chiou D-J, Chen C-W, Chiang W-L, Hsu W-K, Chen C-Y and Liu T-Y (2011) A case study of damage detection in benchmark buildings using a Hilbert-Huang Transform-based method Journal of Vibration and Control 17 (4): 623-636. Epub ahead of print 8 November 2010. doi: 10.1177/1077546309360053

Liu TY, Chiang WL, Chen CW, Hsu WK, Lu LC and Chu TJ (2011) Identification and monitoring of bridge health from ambient vibration data Journal of Vibration and Control 17 (4): 589-603. Epub ahead of print 12 November 2010. doi: 10.1177/1077546309360049

Lin JW, Huang CW, Shih CH and Chen CY (2011) Fuzzy Lyapunov Stability Analysis and NN Modeling for Tension Leg Platform Systems Journal of Vibration and Control 17 (1): 151-158. Epub ahead of print 25 August 2010. doi: 10.1177/1077546309350477

Lee WI, Chen CY, Kuo HM and Sui YC (2010) The Development of Half-circle Fuzzy Numbers and Application in Fuzzy Control Journal of Vibration and Control 16 (13): 1977-1987. Epub ahead of print 22 April 2010. doi: 10.1177/1077546309349849

This is not the first time we have seen retractions because a researcher managed to do his own peer review.

We’ll update this case as we learn more.

Update, 2:50 Eastern, 7/8/14: SAGE tells us that there may have been 130 fake email accounts involved. Here’s an email Q&A Cat Ferguson did with a SAGE spokesperson:

Aside from Peter Chen, how many other scientists were involved in the ring? 

We do not know the definitive number of individual scientists involved in this ring and cannot verify their identities due to the nature of the accounts registered with ScholarOne. However, we contacted 130 email accounts, a large number of which we believe to be either aliases or fabricated accounts. Many of the named individuals had more than one email address registered on our system.

Throughout the course of the investigation, the authors, co-authors and reviewers were asked to verify their accounts and email addresses provided on ScholarOne. SAGE made a note of suspicious or unresponsive email addresses and accounts. The authors were contacted once again in May 2014 to inform them that their paper/s would be retracted in the July 2014 issue.

All authors and reviewers were given time to respond and we did not receive ORCID verification from any of the 130 email addresses contacted.

Were any papers retracted that were not authored by Chen? 

Yes, and the full list of retracted articles can be found in the retraction notice:http://jvc.sagepub.com/content/20/10/1601.abstract

Is there any concern this problem might be more widespread?

We have undertaken a thorough investigation into this peer review ring and are confident that we have uncovered the full extent of the problem. Although attempts to mislead the academic community are extremely rare, there will occasionally be fraudulent and unethical individuals seeking to abuse the system. Both SAGE and Journal of Vibration and Control are committed to upholding the true spirit of peer review while continuing to introduce new measures to reinforce the review process.

Hat tip: JATdS

Farmer’s Coalition Shares the Truth about Big Wind!

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JULY 9, 2014 BY 

Farmers’ coalition warning us about BigWind !!!

Please share with your neighbors and family members. The $ offered to farmers is very enticing….

The Informed Farmers Coalition IFC was formed five years ago to study the impacts of wind turbines on our agricultural and residential community. The group consists of past or present union iron workers, school teachers, township officials, lawyers, a farm manager, a plumber, a fireman, a mechanic, school board members, county board member, union truck drivers, a dentist, retail workers, construction workers, nurses, union equipment operators, hospital workers, a social worker, bookkeepers, a school administrator, salesmen, an electrical engineer for Com Ed, an EMT, numerous local business owners, large/small landowners, homeowners, and of course, farmers – many of whom are the third and fourth generation on that farm. Many are lifetime residents of this agricultural community.

They have discovered, through sworn testimony throughout the state, that people are suffering from the same health issues, noise disturbances, untruthful wind company promises, property value losses, etc. The ongoing research brings the discovery our local landowners may be responsible for the property taxes and decommissioning of the wind turbine should the wind company walk away from the project. The turbine property tax bill stays in the name of the landowner with the bill being listed c/o of the wind company. So ultimately if the wind company doesn’t pay, it will be sent to the landowner.

IFC became aware some of our local landowners with signed contracts had never seen a map where their turbines were projected to be placed. The map presented with the petition to the county also shows underground transmission lines. Some landowners were not aware transmission lines would go through their property and did not think they had signed up for that. One landowner agreed to a contract but for only 80 acres of his property. But when IFC was researching at the county, they discovered his contract was filed containing all 560 acres of his property.

The real experts about wind turbines are the citizens living among them. IFC has attended numerous county meetings across the state of Illinois only to realize the people testifying under oath all have the same story – homes where they can no longer live or sell due to noise and health issues; wind companies that townships must sue to collect their rightful money; trespassing of heavy equipment on non-participating land that compact the soil for years as well as damage crops and tile; crop dusting problems; GPS systems that no longer get a signal; cell phones and TV reception problems; etc.  IFC is aware that Lifeline helicopters may not choose to land in a turbine area; this was needed this spring for a local farm accident. A letter from a school superintendent states the children in his school district are suffering from the effects of the turbines, since they went online.

IFC also became aware that once a person signs a contract they have agreed to a gag order that restricts them from talking about the wind company…

via Guest Commentary | BCRNews.com.

Lefties Trying to Implement Technological Regression!

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“Demand-side management”: Blackouts by another name

Posted on June 24, 2014by 

..and why “green energy” is economic nonsense

In a recent speech Ed Davey announced that energy intensive companies would be paid to switch off their machinery during times of high demand. As many have noted, this not what happens in healthy energy markets. Although this policy is called ‘demand-side management’, jargon does not disguise what is still a blackout. But simple economics can determine a much better approach to energy policy than the managed decline preferred by the deeply unpopular minority party in the coalition.

The problem of the UK’s diminished capacity is caused by energy policies, (not shortages of fuel), largely but not entirely driven by EU directives to reduce CO2 and other emissions from power stations.  Much of the UK’s generating capacity has been forced to close by the EU’s Large Combustion Plant Directive (LCPD), followed by the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), both of which are intended to reduce the emissions responsible for pollution. Nobody is against clean air, but the combination of these policies has compounded the UK’s energy problems, leaving an energy gap which threatens wide-spread blackouts.

The LCPD and IED force the operators of coal-fired power stations either to shut down within a given time (17,500 operational hours between 2016 and 2023), or to add systems to comply with the standards they set out.  Retro-fitting older but still serviceable plants may not be economically viable, so the operational lifespan of these plants is reduced by a decade or more.  Somewhat late in the day, the Department for Energy and Climate Change commissioned a report on the feasibility of building new gas and coal-fired capacity and extending the life of the UK’s existing power plants by making them compliant with the IED.

The existence of the report demonstrates that the current and previous governments’ plans for a greener energy sector have not materialised, and cannot now be achieved. No amount of wind turbines and domestic solar PV installations can replace the capacity that has already been lost to the LCPD and will be lost to the IED. So the government is now forced to face the consequences: begging energy companies to keep remaining coal and legacy gas plants operational for as long as possible in order to avert a deeper crisis.

Along the way, the report shows some interesting things about the history of the UK’s fleet of power stations. The following graph shows two main periods of building. Approximately 3.3GW a year of coal plant between 1965-75 and 2.5GW a year between 1990 and 2000, under different economic regimes.

Sherri Lange Talks About the Sensible Decisions Made, Re: Wind Turbines!

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UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SB310 PASSAGE BY GOVERNOR KASICH IN OHIO

Intro Letter to Governor Kasich from NAPAW

Time out for OHIO renewables targets, and a breather for turbine victims

Sherri Lange

Ohio’s Governor John Kasich recently made a move on wind.  Not precocious, not inflammatory, though you might think the din from the industry and other uninformed lawmakers says else, but merely a few safe moves that put reasonable limits on decisions and safety for people living near wind factories, or singles,  in the state. (Also passed was the one line protection for residents living near turbines, that the setback will now be measured from the property line, not the residence….a universally welcomed move.)

Senate Bill 310 was shattering in some respects for the wind energy. At the heart was a two year moratorium on increased mandatory mandates for renewables.  Also at risk to the industry was a longer setback, now about 1300 feet, to a property line, not a residence.  Inhibiting factors for an industry on the march in Ohio.

State Rep Mike Foley decried the Bill, called it adverse to the “current” understanding of global warming, manmade, of course, and reminding us that Ohio is already the 5th largest producer of greenhouse gases in the US, but there was obviously enough “reason” in the big room of Ohio, to sway the bill to passage. (Representative Foley called it, irrational, and embarrassing, and why would Ohio not want to barrel ahead with “clean” energy”?)

A few facts are missing, Representative Foley.  Greenhouse gases increase with more wind power.  Nothing is clean and green about wind. Now that is embarrassing.  Ontario has had its fill of the nearly hysterical songbook: “we have to clean the air of all this coal smog.”  As Dr Ross McKittrick of the University of Guelph tells us, this “clean air” story in Ontario or Ohio,  is full of holes. Patently false.

See McKittrick’s excellent essay on his view of fossil fuels and other ruminations related to “Earth Hour” hypocrisies.  Continue reading here…..

**************************************************************************

Letter to Governor Kasich

July 7 2014

 

Governor John Kasich

Riffe Center,

30th Floor 77 South High Street

Columbus, OH 43215-6117

Phone: (614) 466-3555

Jessica.Johnson@governor.ohio.gov

whitney.holdrieth@governor.ohio.gov

 

Dear Governor Kasich;

We wanted to be certain you have received our thanks regarding your signing of Senate Bill (SB) 310 and protection of people and wildlife, and livestock, by maintaining a setback to the property line, not residences.  These decisions will do much to settle the OHIO rush to wind, while more facts, long known in Europe, become available to OH public, and policy makers.

NA-PAW represents over 350 member groups and thousands of individuals from Aruba, Mexico to Alaska, and every part in-between. We liaise with EPAW, with over 650 member groups.  Many of our most active North American members are from Ohio, or are interested parties for Ohio. We are concerned about safe, reasonable, and effective energy platforms, not those that put billions in the pockets of a few developers, while gouging State and Federal funds, and of course the pocket books of ordinary Americans and Canadians, without adding effective energy to the mix at all.

The essential facts are without dispute now worldwide.

Wind power KILLS jobs, and creates only a few temporary short term jobs during construction, or due to maintenance needs.  Construction of parts is mostly done overseas, and does not contribute to the American economy. The high cost of power, due to unreasonable and mandated so called “renewables” and unhealthy subsidies that enrich the few, and give energy poverty to the rest, is also killing industry.  While a manufacturing industry, for example, may use 30% of its operating costs for electricity, an uptick to that cost of even 10% or 15% may knock it off its seat. In Ontario, Canada, we have lost 300,000 manufacturing jobs in the last five years, and it is very clear what the direct cause is: untenable subsidies for wind and solar.  Ontario was recently downgraded by Moody’s, again because financial confidence is at an all-time low, again, due to the proliferation of wind and solar at vastly escalated costs to consumers. One can only wonder how such a money making scheme ever became to be so “respectable.”

Wind power does not work. It produces scant little, or as one recent article indicated from the UK, on certain measured days, turbine assemblies are assessed to provide power for from  3 to 29  tea kettles. Even more astonishing, but now well known,  is the fact that wind factories are parasitic, using conventional power to moderate pitch, and move to capture wind, and keep blades from freezing, or shafts from destabilizing, or often to maintain the motion when there is no wind for the simple reason of public relations. Sucking conventional power, to scoop billions from the wind, but for a few developers. Not for the State or public benefit.

Wind power harms people and wildlife. This is so vastly understood, and the implications are so huge, that it would take a treatise to explain the extent of this harm. No other industry has been able to advance so strongly with so few safeguards for the environment and people.

Europe with its 30 plus years experiment in green renewables, is coming to understand, sadly, and grieve, the true costs:  economies in shambles, clawing back subsidies as they can, the harm to pristine landscapes and tourist areas, the

consumers. One can only wonder how such a money making scheme ever became to be so “respectable.”

Wind power does not work. It produces scant little, or as one recent article indicated from the UK, on certain measured days, turbine assemblies are assessed to provide power for 3 to 29  tea kettles. Even more astonishing, but now well known,  is the fact that wind factories are parasitic, using conventional power to moderate pitch, and move to capture wind, and keep blades from freezing, or shafts from destabilizing, or often to maintain the motion when there is no wind for the simple reason of public relations. Sucking conventional power, to scoop billions from the wind, but for a few developers. Not for the State or public benefit.

Wind power harms people and wildlife. This is so vastly understood, and the implications are so huge, that it would take a treatise to explain the extent of this harm. No other industry has been able to advance so strongly with so few safeguards for the environment and people.

Europe with its 30 plus years experiment in green renewables, is coming to understand, sadly, and grieve, the true costs:  economies in shambles, clawing back subsidies as they can, the harm to pristine landscapes and tourist areas, the harm to their environments, and of course social upheaval. There are more than 2000 anti-wind groups worldwide that we know of, and that number escalates as soon as more projects are announced. There is, however, an equal rush to disentangle from the mythologies and harms done.  Continue reading here….

letter-writing