University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines
Cagayan de Oro Campus
College of Engineering and Architecture
Department of Mechanical Engineering
WIND POWER
Energy Producing System
Prepared By
JOHNLEMMAR JABONGA
Prepared For
ENGR. ROCYLE MAE CANLAS
INTRODUCTION
The heat-trapping properties of carbon dioxide and other gases were discovered
in the middle of the nineteenth century. The current global warming trend is
particularly significant because the majority of it is very likely to be the consequence of
man-made activities beginning in the mid-twentieth century and continuing at a rate
measured over several decades. The most recent advancements in earth-orbiting
satellite technology and other technological advancements have made it possible for
scientists to comprehend the image and gather a wide range of data about our planet
and its climate on a worldwide basis. The Earth's climate reacts to variations in
greenhouse gas concentrations, according to ice cores taken from the mountain
glaciers. Without a doubt, the earth must warm in reaction to rising concentrations of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
The world's energy needs are growing too quickly because of the population and
economic expansion, particularly in global emerging market economies. Even though
increased wealth comes with higher demand, managing global energy demand
presents several new difficulties. As more consumers need more energy resources to
meet their energy demands, energy security issues may surface. Higher greenhouse gas
emissions, especially carbon dioxide (CO2), are a result of increased fossil fuel
consumption and are a contributing factor to global warming. However, there are still
far too many people without access to energy. The use of primary fuels derived from
fossil fuels to generate motion, heat, or electricity has resulted in the majority of
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This indicates that unless significant amounts of low-
carbon energy supplies can be brought on-stream to replace primary fossil fuels, it is
most likely impossible to bring GHG concentrations in the upper atmosphere down to
sustainable levels.
INTRODUCTION
These days, climate change is a major issue in the framework of the respectable
agenda for sustainable economic growth, which also includes worries about global
warming. These include the effects on the environment and society, the issue of how
fuel and power are produced, and related pollutants. The use of non-renewable energy
resources in the production, delivery, and use of energy has had a detrimental effect on
the environment. In recent years, low-carbon energy supply-based criteria have been
pushed to the forefront of energy policy, demonstrating how we may more sustainably
meet our energy needs. Currently, fossil fuels are still being used worldwide for
economic growth, social advancement, knowledge expansion, and human welfare.
Every nation's home, commercial, industrial, and transportation sectors use energy
derived from a variety of energy resources and sources for human activities. It is
anticipated that both the global energy demand and the proportion of energy delivered
in the form of electricity would climb quickly.
WIND ENERGY
According to research, wind energy is actually a form of solar energy. The sun
heats Earth's surface at varying degrees due to the unevenness of its surface. Combined
with Earth's rotation, the discrepancy in temperature causes the flow of air in an effort
to reach an equilibrium - thus, wind. Onshore and offshore wind turbine farms are the
two primary forms of renewable energy associated with wind power. Using these
turbines on land is known as "onshore generation." Compared to its offshore
competitors, this form of energy generation is typically less expensive, simpler to build
and transport, and easier to maintain. Onshore wind, on the other hand, is typically a
little less predictable, which reduces efficiency, energy potential, and the associated
profit for energy developers. Energy developers will conduct thorough, multi-year
studies to determine the wind potential in a particular area before building a wind farm.
This holds true for both onshore and offshore projects, although there is always a
chance for change. For wind turbines to be effective, the yearly average speed must be
at least 4 mph for smaller turbines and 13 mph for larger ones. The biggest onshore
wind farm in the world right now is in China, and its 7,000 wind turbines can generate
almost 8 gigawatts of electricity! It is important to distinguish between offshore wind
and offshore hydroelectric power generating. Although turbines are used in this
technique, the blades are submerged and take advantage of the tide. Because of their
more potent and consistent wind patterns, offshore wind farms often have a larger
potential capacity for electricity generation than onshore renewable energy sources.
Although this isn't always the case, offshore wind farms often use larger turbines to
cater for increased wind. (Note: There is a weak correlation between a turbine's size and
its energy potential, as indicated by its MW capacity.) With only 87 turbines, the biggest
offshore farm generates an astounding 660 megawatts of electricity! Compared to the
7,000 onshore turbines, 1,000 offshore turbines would produce more electricity.
WIND ENERGY
For thousands of years, wind energy has been utilized for a variety of
purposes. But only in the 1970s, because to advancements in technology and
government assistance, did the commercial use of wind energy to produce electricity
become feasible. Although there are many distinct wind energy technologies available
for a variety of uses, the main application of wind energy that is relevant to mitigating
climate change is the production of electricity from larger, grid-connected wind
turbines that are placed either onshore (or "onshore") or offshore (or in freshwater or the
sea). One advantage of using wind energy to generate electricity is that it doesn't
contribute to air pollution or global warming. However, how much is this benefit worth
in terms of money? Let's first examine the quantity of carbon dioxide (CO2) released into
the atmosphere by various energy technologies, as well as the effects of sulfur dioxide
(SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) on public health, before assessing the social advantages
of wind energy.
According to the conducted study of Mafalda Silva and Hanne Lerche Raadal,
With average values of 55.9 and 50.9 g CO2- equivalent per kWh, respectively, wave and
photovoltaic power contribute the most to GHG emissions among the renewable
electricity generation methods under consideration. With an average contribution of
14.4 and 18.4 g CO2-equivalent per kWh for onshore and offshore areas, respectively,
wind power, on the other hand, contributes the least to GHG emissions. With an average
output of 21.4 g CO2-equivalent per kWh from reservoir plants and 19.1 g CO2-equivalent
per kWh from run-of-river plants, hydropower has the second-lowest contribution to
GHG emissions. However, the GHG emissions from renewable technology are far lower
than those from non-renewable technologies.
WIND ENERGY
Generally speaking, lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from renewable
sources are far less than those from coal and natural gas. About 11 grams of CO2 are
produced for every kilowatt-hour (g CO2/kWh) of electricity produced by wind energy,
compared to roughly 465 g CO2/kWh for natural gas and 980 g CO2/kWh for coal. This
means that the carbon footprint of natural gas is more than 40 times bigger than that
of coal, and it is about 90 times larger than that of wind energy. Reducing CO2
emissions from the power sector is significantly impacted by moving electricity
production from fossil fuels to renewable sources. There is a lot of room for wind energy
to reduce GHG emissions in the near future (2020) and the long term (2050).
Approximately 1.8% of the world's electricity demand could be met by wind power
capacity installed by the end of 2009; if significant efforts are made to lower
greenhouse gas emissions and remove other barriers to greater wind energy
deployment, that contribution could rise to more than 20% by 2050. There are now no
insurmountable technical barriers preventing greater levels of wind energy penetration
into electrical supply networks, and onshore wind energy is already being deployed
quickly in several nations. Furthermore, even though average wind speeds vary greatly
by place, most parts of the planet have enough technical capability to support a sizable
wind energy deployment. Even without taking into account the relative environmental
effects, the cost of wind energy is already comparable with current energy market
pricing in some places with abundant wind resources. To guarantee quick deployment,
however, policy measures are still needed in the majority of the world's areas. However,
it is anticipated that onshore and offshore wind energy technology will continue to
progress, lowering wind energy costs and increasing its capacity to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions.
ENVIRONMENTAL
AND SOCIAL IMPACTS
Green house gases (GHG) emissions might be significantly reduced by wind
energy, and it is currently doing so. Additionally, studies attempting to quantify the
relative effects of different electrical supply sources indicate that wind energy often has
a relatively minimal environmental impact. However, wind energy has the potential to
have some negative effects on the environment, human activities, and well-being, just
like other industrial activities. To lessen these effects, many local and national
governments have set planning and siting regulations. Existing problems may worsen
and new ones may surface as wind energy deployment grows and larger wind power
facilities are taken into account. Although replacing electricity produced by fossil fuel-
based power plants is the primary way that wind energy benefits the environment,
calculating those benefits is made more difficult by the way the electric system
operates and the investment choices that concerning new power plants. In the short
term, current fossil fuel-fired plants will usually be replaced by more wind energy.
However, the existence of wind energy can affect the types of power plants that are
constructed, and new generating plants may be required in the long run. In most cases,
wind energy is projected to have a GHG emissions intensity of 8 to 20 g CO2/kWh,
whereas energy payback periods range from 3.4 to 8.5 months. Furthermore, it has not
been discovered that controlling wind power output variability substantially reduces
the benefits of wind energy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Wildlife is impacted by the development and operation of wind power plants,
both onshore and offshore, through habitat and ecosystem changes, bird and bat
collisions, and other effects that vary depending on the site and species. The effects of
offshore wind energy on fisheries, benthic resources, and marine life in general must be
taken into account. The possible effects of wind farms on the regional climate are also
being studied. One of the most well-known environmental issues is the death of birds
and bats due to accidents with wind turbines. The nature of these consequences and
their ramifications at the population level are still largely unclear, however documented
avian fatality rates range from 0.95 to 11.67 per MW annually.
ENVIRONMENTAL
AND SOCIAL IMPACTS
Wind power facilities can also have an impact on habitats and ecosystems by
displacing or avoiding certain areas, destroying habitat, and reducing reproduction.
Additionally, as offshore development has risen, attention has turned to the effects of
wind power installations on marine species. The effects of offshore wind energy on
marine life can be either good or detrimental, and they differ depending on site-specific
factors during the installation, operating, and decommissioning stages. Underwater
noise and vibrations, electromagnetic fields, physical disturbance, and the introduction
of alien species are some possible adverse effects. However, the physical structures may
serve as artificial reefs or fish aggregation devices, or they may provide new shelters or
breeding grounds.
In addition to ecological considerations, many people are concerned about
the effects of wind power plants on local communities. Most significantly, wind turbines
are inevitably noticeable in the landscape since contemporary wind energy technology
requires huge structures. Proximal effects including flicker and noise, property value
effects, and land and maritime usage (including potential radar interference) are
additional issues to be concerned about. Any successful wind power planning and plant
siting process must consider social and environmental concerns, regardless of their
nature or severity, and involving local citizens is frequently a crucial component of that
process. While some of the issues are easily resolved, others—like the visual effects—are
more challenging. In tandem with expanding the use of wind energy, efforts must be
made to better understand the type and extent of the remaining impacts as well as to
reduce and mitigate them. In reality, planning and siting laws differ greatly from one
jurisdiction to the next, and in certain nations and situations, these procedures have
impeded the growth of wind energy.
CARBON FOOTPRINT
OF WIND TURBINE
In the mix of renewable energy sources, wind turbines are crucial. Just
wind is all that is needed for wind power, which also uses technology that has been
around for generations. Numerous wind turbines must be positioned in strategic
locations in order to provide our expanding population with a reliable source of
electricity. Compared to more conventional energy producing techniques like coal-fired
power plants, the resources needed to sustain power output are negligible once built.
The quantity of greenhouse gas emissions linked to consumption, whether
it be of a person or a product or thing, is known as a carbon footprint. Humans generate
enormous amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, which have a significant impact on
the ecosystem and the habitability of our planet for all species. These emissions are
commonly thought of in terms of carbon dioxide equivalents, or CO2. In general, as coal
and other fossil fuels began to be used to build mechanized industrial production
systems throughout the Industrial Revolution, the slope of greenhouse gas emissions
got noticeably steeper. This was followed by population growth, which started a vicious
cycle of consumption and production. With regard to wind turbines, their carbon
footprint is essentially zero. Numerous kilowatt-hours of electricity can be produced by
a single wind turbine with almost no adverse environmental impact.
A life cycle assessment (LCA) is a methodology for analyzing a product's
possible environmental implications over its entire life cycle, including raw material
extraction and end of life. Life cycle emissions for wind power take into account not only
the direct emissions from the energy production phase but also the deconstruction,
building, raw material usage, and related equipment needed to convey the energy
output.
CARBON FOOTPRINT
OF WIND TURBINE
When it comes to wind power, the main source of a turbine's carbon
footprint is the raw materials needed in its manufacturing. The production and building
of an onshore or offshore wind turbine can account for 75–85% of its overall carbon
footprint. This indicates that wind farms have a front-loaded environmental impact that
gradually decreases as the equipment is put through its manufacturing phase. Among
the raw materials used in production are steel, concrete, and aluminum, all of which
typically have a high carbon intensity. According to estimates, a turbine's steel
consumption contributes around 30% of its overall carbon footprint. Turbine blades are
typically made of fiberglass and account for 12-15% of the carbon footprint. Research
indicates that wind energy systems' environmental effects are getting better as supply
chain technologies decarbonize, and as manufacturing techniques advance, this trend
should last for a very long time. Aside from potential future advancements, wind power
has one of the smallest environmental footprints when compared to other methods of
producing electricity! The carbon footprint of each wind farm is remarkably low,
making wind power a perfect solution to our need for reduced emissions and less
pollution
HOW COMPANIES
REDUCE IT?
They can start by setting up wind turbines on their land. In addition to
reducing the company's dependency on the electrical grid, this will make it clear to
both staff and clients that the business is dedicated to sustainability. Purchasing carbon
offsets or green bonds is another way for businesses to lessen their carbon footprint.
One kind of debt called "green bonds" is used to fund environmental initiatives like
renewable energy. By funding initiatives that lower CO2 emissions elsewhere, a business
can use carbon offsets to offset the greenhouse gas emissions from its operations. Lastly,
businesses can also motivate their staff to lead more sustainable lives. This can entail
working from home, carpooling, or using public transit. By taking these steps,
companies can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and make a positive impact
on the environment. Another ways to mitigate or reduce carbon footprint is to increase
energy efficiency such as investing in Energy-Efficient Technology.
LIFE CYCLE GHG
EMISSIONS
The assessed research differ significantly in terms of their purpose, geographical,
temporal, and technological scope. It was also observed that several definitions of
system boundaries existed. While some studies take a cradle-to-grave approach, a
sizable portion simply conducted a cradle-to-gate study, leaving out the
decommissioning stage. The majority of research take a 20-year lifespan into account.
Figure 2. provides an overview of the findings from all evaluated LCA studies by
summarizing the GHG emissions according to turbine size and capacity factor. g CO2-
equivalent per kWh is how the results are displayed. The actual annual electricity
generation divided by the maximum annual electricity generation (when operating full
time at full power) is the capacity factor.
LIFE CYCLE GHG
EMISSIONS
Figure 2. indicates that as turbine size and capacity factors are raised, there is a trend for
GHG emissions to decrease. These may include wind turbine lifetime and end-of-life
care components, the energy source used to construct and install the wind turbines,
maintenance and reinvestment rates, and whether or not present or future
circumstances have been examined. Certain platform/foundation steel masses are
crucial for the overall greenhouse gas emissions associated with offshore wind
generation in the offshore concepts. The turbines' lifespan, wind speed, distance from
the coast, and the installation and decommissioning processes are further crucial
factors. The investigated studies show that the infrastructure phase is the heaviest
contributor to the total GHG emissions, representing 85-99%. The infrastructure phase
comprises material production and processing, transport, assembly and installation,
and decommissioning. Steel and concrete production are the most contributing
activities within this phase.
LIFE CYCLE GHG
EMISSIONS
Given the commercial maturity and cost of onshore wind energy technology, increased
utilization of wind energy offers the potential for significant near-term GHG emission
reductions: this potential is not conditioned on technology breakthroughs, and no
insurmountable technical barriers exist that preclude increased levels of wind energy
penetration into electricity supply systems. As a result, in the near to medium term, the
rapid increase in wind power capacity from 2000 to 2009 is expected by many studies
to continue. Moreover, a number of studies have assessed the longer-term potential of
wind energy, often in the context of GHG concentration stabilization scenarios. Based
on a review of this literature (including 164 different long-term scenarios), and as
summarized in Figure TS.7.6, wind energy could play a significant long-term role in
reducing global GHG emissions. By 2050, the median contribution of wind energy
among the scenarios with GHG concentration stabilization ranges of 440 to 600 ppm
CO2 and <440 ppm CO2 is 23 to 27 EJ/yr (6,500 to 7,600 TWh/yr), increasing to 45 to 47
EJ/yr at the 75th percentile of scenarios (12,400 to 12,900 TWh/yr), and to more than 100
EJ/yr in the highest study (31,500 TWh). Achieving this contribution would require wind
energy to deliver around 13 to 14% of global electricity supply in the median scenario
result by 2050, increasing to 21 to 25% at the 75th percentile of the reviewed scenarios.
CARBON EMISSIONS
The carbon footprint of wind power is largely determined by the lifecycle emissions
associated with the manufacturing, installation, operation, and decommissioning of
wind turbines.
Manufacturing Impact: The construction of wind turbines involves materials like steel,
concrete, and fiberglass, which contribute to carbon emissions. Approximately 75-85%
of the total carbon footprint comes from these manufacturing processes. Steel
production alone accounts for about 30% of a turbine's total carbon impact.
Operational Emissions: Once installed, wind turbines generate electricity without
emitting greenhouse gases. The operational phase is essentially emissions-free, making
wind energy a clean source once the initial carbon costs are accounted for.
Amortization Over Time: The emissions incurred during manufacturing are amortized
over the turbine's lifespan, typically around 20 to 25 years. This results in a low effective
emission rate. Studies estimate that wind power generates between 8 to 20 grams of
CO2 equivalent per kilowatt-hour (g CO2e/kWh) produced
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM
Wind turbines, which tower over a wind farm, are at the heart of the operation. These
turbines have blades that collect wind energy and initiate a process that converts it into
electrical power. To raise the blades into the line of the highest prevailing winds, each
turbine is affixed to a tall tower. In order to effectively transform wind energy into
rotational motion, wind turbine blades are aerodynamically built. A shaft attached to a
generator inside the turbine is rotated by the blades. The generator generates electrical
energy as a result of this rotation. To maximize energy capture and avoid interfering
with one another's wind flow, the turbines are positioned apart. Additionally, this
greater spacing helps to minimize interference with current farming methods.
In addition to the turbines, a wind farm has a lot of infrastructure to help in
electricity production and transmission. This infrastructure consists of a system of
transformers, substations, and underground power lines that gather and distribute the
electricity produced by the turbines. After that, the power is distributed to residences,
workplaces, and industries by way of overhead transmission wires that feed it into the
larger electrical grid.
NARRATIVE REPORT
Wind power has emerged as a leading renewable energy source, significantly
contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions. The lifecycle of wind turbines begins
with manufacturing, which involves materials like steel and concrete, resulting in initial
carbon emissions. However, once operational, wind turbines produce electricity without
any greenhouse gas emissions, making their operational phase remarkably clean. Over a
typical lifespan of 20 to 25 years, the emissions from manufacturing are amortized,
leading to an effective emission rate of just 8 to 20 grams of CO2 equivalent per
kilowatt-hour. In comparison to fossil fuels, wind energy boasts a carbon footprint that
is up to 99% lower than coal and 98% lower than natural gas. This stark contrast
highlights wind power's role in mitigating climate change. For instance, in 2013, U.S.
wind energy production alone reduced CO2 emissions by approximately 126.8 million
tons, equivalent to removing 20 million cars from the road. States like Texas and
California have been at the forefront of this transition, showcasing significant reductions
in emissions through increased wind energy use.
As the world seeks sustainable solutions to combat climate change, wind
power stands out as a vital component of a cleaner energy future. Its ability to generate
electricity with minimal carbon impact underscores the importance of investing in and
expanding renewable energy technologies.
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