Forum Submission (Scientists for Global Responsibility), to a discussion on "dirty electricity", questioning aspects of concept and impact on humans.
20 June 2017 Dear Forum,
##@'s interesting and technical -yet so highly unscientific as to be almost populist- response begs some explanation and some clarification.
"Dirty electricity" exists. It was around when I did my physics masters 30+ years ago, and it's around now. The phrase is commonly used for an electrical parameter (typically an alternating voltage) with a superimposed noise signal. In practice the frequency of the noise signals is different, typically much greater, than the frequency of the power (50-60Hz). Audio-technicians are typically experts in the field, as are radio experts to a lesser extent. Note: these "dirty" signals can also be superimposed on earth-condustors in some domestic situations, depending on the setup. I understand, though have not yet unverified, that Sweden and Albania have a domestic electric system which tends to have more noise on the earth conductor.
Dirty Electricity produces different biological effects from "clean" electricity. As everyone with a basic understanding of physics knows, changing electric fields create magnetic fields. (Wikipedia: "The electric field is produced by stationary charges, and the magnetic field by moving charges (currents); these two are often described as the sources of the field. ")
(... continues on: Fruitloopery, scams and hoaxes; Inlet filters exist. Dirty Electricity filters therefore exist. ; Solar panels and EM radiation ; Meters. ; Regulations ; Some questions one might ask are: ) Full response here - pdf.
Forum submission (Scientists for Global Responsibility), response to a general query relating to solar inverter EM fields.
26 May 2017 Dear Forum,
I'd like to infuse some scientific content into Phil's statements on what could be an extremely critical issue for the energy revolution. Hopefully this summary will give cause not to trivialise critical risks posed by EMF/ radiation of various kinds. (EMF=Electro-Magnetic Field)
I was driven to investigate this late last year by a reported sensitivity of some people to windmills (a friend I met then can sometimes detect them at a distance of kilometers), which I found essential to investigate considering the necessary power revolution, being a climate change activist and sustainability consultant. While I am aware EMF can be designed out of power systems if necessary, (wireless communications would be harder) I did not think the energy revolution should be put at risk merely by a possible oversight of EM shielding and power filtering, to save a few pennies for Siemens, Vestas and you & me. Full response -pdf- with links to sources here.
Study Proposal Outline - Wind Turbines and EMF
Question What could be a reason that some people are able to "sense" wind turbine radiation at substantial distances of up to several kilometres, sometimes with debilitating effects, while accepted physics suggests that Electro-Magnetic (EM) field strength would diminish rapidly so as to render this unlikely? Importance of the Question In the context of the current low-carbon energy revolution, finding and then resolving potentially hazardous effects from energy generating equipment could prove to be economically, socially and environmentally highly relevant. Resolving potential issues early on is normally cost effective. Subject of Study Measurement and determination of sources and strengths of EM fields radiating from wind turbine installations. Hypothesis While EM fields transmitted by wind turbines are typically assumed to decay with the 2nd power of distance (spherical, point source) certain circumstances could result in cylindrical fields (e.g. mast-cabling, decaying with 1st power of distance), while inadvertent wave-guide type structures (e.g. as part of the turbine construction) may even cause "non-decaying" EM fields to radiate over large distances (with small tangential coverage), further referred to as spot-beams. ...full proposal outline here...