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Assessment of the environmental impacts of a wind farm in central Greece during its life cycle

Year 2014, Volume: 4 Issue: 3, 580 - 585, 01.09.2014

Abstract

Wind energy installations in Greece are increasing rapidly as a means to achieve the national goal for increasing the renewables’ share in the country’s energy balance. However, wind farm installations are not impact free from the environmental standpoint. The present study examines the cradle-to-grave impacts of a wind farm in central Greece composed of four, 850 MW each, wind turbines. Life cycle inventory data were obtained from secondary sources and the CML 2 baseline 2000 ready-made method was utilized for the environmental assessment in nine impact categories. The results indicate an intensity index of 4.1 kg CO2 eq. per MWh along with an energy payback time of 7 months. Towers, nacelles and the foundations of the turbines are the wind farm components that cause the most environmental impacts. The major conclusion is that electricity generation from wind power is environmentally preferable compared to the current electricity generation mix in Greece.

References

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  • H.L. Raadal, L. Gagnon, I.S. Modahl, O.J. Hanssen, “Life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the generation of wind and hydro power”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 15, pp. 3417-3422,
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  • B. Tremeac, F. Meunier, “Life cycle analysis of 4.5MW and 250W wind turbines”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 13, pp. 2104 – 2110, 2009.
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  • W.Z. Zhong, B. Song, E.P. Loh, “LCAs of a polycrystalline photovoltaic module and a wind turbine”, Renewable Energy, Vol. 36, pp. 2227-2237,
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  • R.Vautard, F. Thais, I.Tobin, F-M. Bréon, J.-G. Devezeaux de Lavergne, A. Colette, P. Yiou, P.M. Ruti, “Regional climate model simulations indicate limited climatic impacts by operational and planned European wind farms”, Nature Communications, Vol. 5, Article Number 3196, 2014.
  • J.M. Walsh-Thomas, G. Cervone, P. Agouris, G. Manca, “Further evidence of impacts of large-scale wind farms on land surface temperature”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 16, No. 8, pp. 6437, 2012.
  • Tabassum-Abbasi, M. Premalatha, T. Abbasi, S.A. Abbasi, “Wind energy: Increasing deployment, rising environmental concerns”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 31, pp. 270-288, 2014.
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Year 2014, Volume: 4 Issue: 3, 580 - 585, 01.09.2014

Abstract

References

  • B. Guezuraga, R. Zauner, W. Polz, “Life cycle assessment of two different 2MW class wind turbines” Renewable Energy, Vol. 37, pp. 37 – 44, 2012.
  • H.L. Raadal, L. Gagnon, I.S. Modahl, O.J. Hanssen, “Life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the generation of wind and hydro power”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 15, pp. 3417-3422,
  • Varun, I.K. Bhat, R. Prakash, “LCA of renewable energy for electricity generation systems - A review”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 13, pp. 1067-1073,
  • Y. Wang, T. Sun, “Life cycle assessment of CO2 emissions from wind power plants: Methodology and case studies”, Renewable Energy, Vol. 43, pp. 30-36, F. Ardente, M. Beccali, M. Cellura, V. Lo Brano, “Energy performances and life cycle assessment of an Italian wind farm”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 12, pp. 200- 217, 2008.
  • E. Martínez, F. Sanz, S. Pellegrini, E. Jiménez, J. Blanco, “Life cycle assessment of a multi-megawatt wind turbine”, Renewable Energy, Vol. 34, pp. 667 – 673, E. Martínez, F. Sanz, S. Pellegrini, E. Jiménez, J. Blanco, “Life cycle assessment of a 2-MW rated power wind turbine: CML method”, International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, Vol. 14, pp. 52 – 63, 2009.
  • E. Martínez, E. Jiménez, J. Blanco, F. Sanz, “LCA sensitivity analysis of a multi-megawatt wind turbine”, Applied Energy, Vol. 87, pp. 2293 – 2303, 2010.
  • B. Tremeac, F. Meunier, “Life cycle analysis of 4.5MW and 250W wind turbines”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 13, pp. 2104 – 2110, 2009.
  • H.R. Crawford, “Life cycle energy and greenhouse emissions analysis of wind turbines and the effect of size on energy yield”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 13, pp. 2653 – 2660, 2009.
  • W.Z. Zhong, B. Song, E.P. Loh, “LCAs of a polycrystalline photovoltaic module and a wind turbine”, Renewable Energy, Vol. 36, pp. 2227-2237,
  • H.J. Wagner, C. Baack, T. Eickelkamp, A. Epe, J. Lohmann, S. Troy, “Life Cycle Assessment of the offshore wind farm alpha ventus”, Energy, Vol. 36, pp. – 2464, 2011.
  • K. Angelakoglou, P.N. Botsaris, G. Gaidajis, “Issues regarding wind turbines positioning: A benchmark study with the application of the life cycle assessment approach”, Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, Vol. 5, pp. 7–18, 2014.
  • J. Weinzettel, M. Reenas, C. Solli, E.G. Hertwich, “Life cycle assessment of a floating offshore wind turbine”, Renewable Energy, Vol. 34, pp. 742-747, 2009.
  • Hellenic Wind Energy Association, “Hellenic wind energy statistics ”, content/uploads/2014/01/2013_-HWEA_Statistics_Gre ece.pdf, Accessed 20/6/2014. http://eletaen.gr/wp
  • ISO 14044, “Environmental management - Life cycle assessment Requirements and guidelines”,
  • International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), Geneva, 2006.
  • Gamesa Corporación Tecnológica, http://www.gamesa corp.com/recursos/doc/productos-servicios/aerogenera dores/catalogo-g5x-850-kw-eng.pdf, Accessed 20/6/ D.F. Lydon, “Observations on the density and quality of concrete”, The International Journal of Cement Composites and Lightweight Concrete, Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 205-216, 1987.
  • J. Pettersen, E.G. Hertwich, “Critical review: life-cycle inventory procedures for long-term release of metals”, Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 42, pp. 4647, 2008.
  • M.R. Kabir, B. Rooke, G.D.M. Bassanayake, A.B. Fleck, “Comparative life cycle energy, emission, and economic analysis of 100kW nameplate wind power generation”, Renewable Energy, Vol. 34, pp. 133 – 141, G. Theodosiou, C. Koroneos, N. Stylos, “Environmental impacts of the Greek electricity generation sector”, Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, Vol. 5, pp. 19–27, 2014.
  • R.Vautard, F. Thais, I.Tobin, F-M. Bréon, J.-G. Devezeaux de Lavergne, A. Colette, P. Yiou, P.M. Ruti, “Regional climate model simulations indicate limited climatic impacts by operational and planned European wind farms”, Nature Communications, Vol. 5, Article Number 3196, 2014.
  • J.M. Walsh-Thomas, G. Cervone, P. Agouris, G. Manca, “Further evidence of impacts of large-scale wind farms on land surface temperature”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 16, No. 8, pp. 6437, 2012.
  • Tabassum-Abbasi, M. Premalatha, T. Abbasi, S.A. Abbasi, “Wind energy: Increasing deployment, rising environmental concerns”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 31, pp. 270-288, 2014.
  • R. Saidur, N.A. Rahim, M.R. Islam, K.H. Solangi, “Environmental impact of wind energy”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 15, No. 5, pp. 2430, 2011.
  • D.Y.C. Leung and Y. Yang, “Wind energy development and its environmental impact: A review”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 16, No. 1, pp. 1031-1039, 2012.
There are 23 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Konstadinos Abeliotis This is me

Despina Pactiti This is me

Publication Date September 1, 2014
Published in Issue Year 2014 Volume: 4 Issue: 3

Cite

APA Abeliotis, K., & Pactiti, D. (2014). Assessment of the environmental impacts of a wind farm in central Greece during its life cycle. International Journal Of Renewable Energy Research, 4(3), 580-585.
AMA Abeliotis K, Pactiti D. Assessment of the environmental impacts of a wind farm in central Greece during its life cycle. International Journal Of Renewable Energy Research. September 2014;4(3):580-585.
Chicago Abeliotis, Konstadinos, and Despina Pactiti. “Assessment of the Environmental Impacts of a Wind Farm in Central Greece During Its Life Cycle”. International Journal Of Renewable Energy Research 4, no. 3 (September 2014): 580-85.
EndNote Abeliotis K, Pactiti D (September 1, 2014) Assessment of the environmental impacts of a wind farm in central Greece during its life cycle. International Journal Of Renewable Energy Research 4 3 580–585.
IEEE K. Abeliotis and D. Pactiti, “Assessment of the environmental impacts of a wind farm in central Greece during its life cycle”, International Journal Of Renewable Energy Research, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 580–585, 2014.
ISNAD Abeliotis, Konstadinos - Pactiti, Despina. “Assessment of the Environmental Impacts of a Wind Farm in Central Greece During Its Life Cycle”. International Journal Of Renewable Energy Research 4/3 (September 2014), 580-585.
JAMA Abeliotis K, Pactiti D. Assessment of the environmental impacts of a wind farm in central Greece during its life cycle. International Journal Of Renewable Energy Research. 2014;4:580–585.
MLA Abeliotis, Konstadinos and Despina Pactiti. “Assessment of the Environmental Impacts of a Wind Farm in Central Greece During Its Life Cycle”. International Journal Of Renewable Energy Research, vol. 4, no. 3, 2014, pp. 580-5.
Vancouver Abeliotis K, Pactiti D. Assessment of the environmental impacts of a wind farm in central Greece during its life cycle. International Journal Of Renewable Energy Research. 2014;4(3):580-5.