TY - JOUR
TI - Assessment of the Environmental Impacts of a Wind Farm in Central Greece during its Life Cycle
AU - Abeliotis, K
AU - Pactiti, D
T2 - International Journal of Renewable Energy Research
AB - 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.
DA - 2014/01//
PY - 2014
VL - 4
IS - 3
SP - 580
EP - 585
UR - http://www.ijrer.org/ijrer/index.php/ijrer/article/view/1329
LA - English
KW - Wind Energy
KW - Land-Based Wind
KW - Human Dimensions
KW - Life Cycle Assessment
ER -