Engineering, 2011, 3, 63-72 doi:10.4236/eng.2011.31008 Published Online January 2011 (http://www.scirp.org/journal/eng) Copyright © 2010 SciRes. ENG Power as Resource-Power as Discourse: An Overview Evaluation of the Key-Factors of “Wind Farms” and “Riparian Rights” as Sources of Power Grigorios L. Kyriakopoulos Photometry Laboratory, Electric Power Division, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece E-mail: gregkyr@chemeng.ntua.gr Received October 16, 2010; revised November 17, 2010; accepted December 2, 2010 Abstract Nowadays, the concept of power can illuminate the nature of contestation. Indeed, it is apparent that dis- course coalitions exist both within the wind sector and the riparian corridors management. In the present study, a theoretical framework for policy power analysis is presented, while a balanced European and na- tional energy policies representation reveals the positive and negative impacts, towards which both the above two power sources may be attributed. The “power” holistic approach is mainly determined in a wider so- cial-economic, political, and environmental framework. This multidimensional and holistic approach is con- sidered invaluable for humans/consumers, in order them to determine their capacities, priorities and perspec- tives for viable use of power within the above complex-structured framework. Finally, the study adopts a balanced reassessment of the existing policies, offering tentative proposals for reducing conflicts. Keywords: Resources, Discourses, Riparian Rights, Wind Power, Socioeconomic Environment 1. Introduction In the present complex socio-economic, political and environmental context of the mainly developed countries, the notion of power as source [1-3] and as discourse [4-25], plays a fundamental role in these societies de- velopment and prosperities. The main orientation of the above studies is concentrated on the involvement of al- ternative fuels-in the form of renewables-to sustain the conventional energy production grid. Among the availa- ble renewables, the present study is focusing on the energy production of wind farms. The negative impacts of wind farms operation could be grouped in the various determining parameters. Particularly, the wind turbines placing both to onshore and offshore land could cause visual intrusion. Visual intrusion impact is difficult to handle, since these wind turbines’ installation is com- monly accompanying by noise production during turbine towers operation. Noise is soundly amplifying and caus- ing annoyance to the nearby residential areas, even at very low levels of operating sound. The above setting of problems usually impacts on house prices at the regions of wind farms proximity. Moreover, preservation and conservation issues, in re- lation to potential impacts on wildlife and ecosystems can generate polarized opinions. Indicatively themes involve the wind turbine blades affecting birds’ migra- tion routes, the shelter from wind for grazing animals, and the local ecosystems disturbance from the turbine towers. The revealing of the above disputes is preserved due to the common phenomenon that wind farms opera- tion context of large international companies is funded by money overseas, with most of the equipment being of foreign origin. By this way, the benefits’ allocation to- wards big multinational businesses often causes resent- ment to the local communities. Furthermore, local interests are mainly expressing through the organization of local campaigns, and press media support; the latter could give emphasis to negative, critical or hostile approach. Misconceptions, misinfor- mation and misrepresentation are the mainly responsible factors of the above tactics. Besides, the process of man- ufacturing the materials and equipment using fossil fuel sources is further results in indirect production of CO 2 . Finally, there are sometimes critical comments on loca- tion or inappropriate sitting of winds turbines’ installa-