The Wind Power System as an Alternative to Carbon-Based Power System - Term Paper Example

 Short Academic Report for an EU Agency Wind Powered Generation as an Alternative to Carbon-Based Energy Sources Table of Contents Short Academic Report for an EU Agency Wind Powered Generation as an Alternative to Carbon-Based Energy Sources 1 Table of Contents 1 Introduction 2 Introduction 2 1.1 Background 4 1.1 Background 4 1.2 Alternative Energy Sources 5 1.2 Alternative Energy Sources 5 1. Wind Power 7 1. Wind Power 7 2.1 Types of Wind Generators 7 2.1 Types of Wind Generators 7 2. Wind Power Scenario 8 2. Wind Power Scenario 8 3.1 Benefits Analysis 9 3.1 Benefits Analysis 9 3.2 Concerns 11 3.2 Concerns 11 3. Conclusion 14 3. Conclusion 14 4. REFERENCE LIST 15 4. REFERENCE LIST 15 List of Figures Figure 1 5 Figure 2 8 Figure 3 11 Introduction In 2008, more new wind energy capacity was installed in Europe than any other power generating technology, reaching a cumulative total of 64 GW (Van Hulle, 2009). However the current economic slowdown has affected the wind industry. Besides the market condition, there has also been poor public acceptance towards wind energy as an alternative source of energy. This report is an attempt to support and promote wind power generation as an alternative. It provides an academic view on how the wind power generation coupled with other renewable sources can pave the way for the future generations. Especially now, the world is witnessing a crunch in the conventional energy resources and is also looking for alternatives with less impact on planet Earth. This report begins with an outlook on the currently used conventional sources. It does not delve into the nuances of the carbon-based sources. Instead, uses the information to build the foundation for the paradigm shift. Next, the report covers an introduction to wind power generation and its types. It then discusses the cost of set-up, performance, benefits and limitations. The report, finally concludes, with a preview of the future trends and increased acceptability towards renewable energy sources. Data in this report has been gathered mainly from five sources which have been listed in the reference section at the end of the report. 1.1 Background Europe is a consumer market heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels. Instability in prices is a major concern for the continent’s economic stability. Increasing demand from world over and shortage of fuel will create a surge in the price rendering Europe paralysed. Why are oil prices soaring? According to the World Energy Outlook report released by the International Energy Agency (IEA), China and India will lead the increase in energy demand making 45 percent of the total growth. Oil imports for these two countries will grow to 19.1m barrels a day by 2030 as compared to 5.4m barrels a day in 2006. So even if world leaders like the United States went into recession, the oil prices are unlikely to fall. And if the per capita oil use in China and India reaches the same level as in the United States, the oil reserves would be depleted in just 15 years and the prospective resources in 26 years. The agency has also stated in its July 2007 report that OPEC spare capacity will decline to minimal levels by 2012. Supply disruption is directly proportional to hike in oil price as indicated in Figure 1 (James, 2008). Figure 1 *Bloomberg 2008 cited in Alternative Energy Blog, 2008 As a response, the European Commission has estimated that 20 percent of all energy demand will be covered by renewable resources, by 2020 (Van Hulle, 2009). The European Union is now seeking renewable resources to address the challenge of oil scarcity. 1.2 Alternative Energy Sources Alternative energy has been used by man since time unknown. Industrialisation and urbanisation had changed the way of life and the human civilization became oblivious to the endowments of nature. However, with increasing apprehension due to uncertainty in the availability of oil, many countries have started looking back in the direction of these alternative sources of energy which in ancient times were deemed as primary sources. Solar, tidal, winds, geothermal are some forms of energy generation in the modern world. The most promising and mature renewable source is wind power. It has the potential to not only make Europe less dependent on imported fossil fuels but also aid immensely in creating employment, increasing leadership in research and technology, and providing economic benefits (Van Hulle, 2009). 1. Wind Power A wind turbine is a device for converting the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy of a rotating shaft. If the converting energy is directly used by machinery, such as water pump or a grain mill, the machine is referred to as a windmill. However, if the mechanical energy is transformed into electricity, the device is a wind generator or a wind turbine (Mention the text book author—Wind Power1). 2.1 Types of Wind Generators Wind generators are categorised as Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) or Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) based on the orientation of the turbine’s axis on which the blades rotate (Figure 2). VAWT tends to be smaller, quieter and environment-friendly than their horizontal propeller type counterpart. A major shortfall of the VAWT is the low ROI in terms of cost per kilowatt hour as compared to the Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT). Other drawbacks include poor efficiency (30%) and higher maintenance costs (Rogers, 2008). Figure 2 *The Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy and Sustainable Living 2. Wind Power Scenario The initial setup cost of wind power systems is high with negligible operating costs. The life span of a wind powered system is 2-3 decades which indicates positive ROI in the long run. 3.1 Benefits Analysis This section focuses on the assessment of the wind resource as a beneficial source for sizeable energy generation. The general cost of conventional electricity production is determined by four factors: Fuel Cost Cost of CO2 emission as given by the European Trading System (ETS) for CO2 Overhauling & Maintenance Cost Capital Cost , including planning and site work In its 2008 edition of World Energy Outlook, the IEA revised its assumptions on both fuel prices and power plant construction cost. Consequently, it increased its estimates for new-build cost. For the European Union, it also assumed that a carbon price of $30 per tonne of CO2 adds $30/MWh to the generating cost of coal and $15/MWh to the generating cost of gas plants. Figure 3 indicates the IEA’s assumption on future generating cost for new coal, gas and wind energy in the EU in 2015 and 2030. It indicates that the IEA expects new wind power capacity to be cheaper than coal and gas in 2015 and 2030. European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) (2009) Figure 3 *IEA World Energy Outlook, 2008 cited in EWEA, 2009 3.2 Concerns A major concern with wind power system is the numerous cases of death of birds which haunt the minds of several environmentalists who have been constantly opposing the adoption of wind turbines as a means of power generation. Some species, such as bats face heightened risks from the rapid reduction in air pressure near the turbine blades, which can cause internal hemorrhage through a process known as barotraumas. An interesting study by Benjamin Sovacool (2009 cited in Scitizen, 2009, pp.2241-2248) calculates the number of avian deaths per GWh from three electricity systems: wind farms, fossil-fueled power plants and nuclear power plants. According to him, the avian wildlife can be partially affected by wind farms but stands a grave chance of perishing in huge numbers from climate change that wreaks havoc on migration routes and degrades habitats. Based on real world operating experience of 339 wind turbines comprising six wind farms constituting 274 MW of installed capacity in the U.S., average avian mortality for wind appears to be about 0.269 fatalities per GWh. Based on real world operating experience for two coal facilities as well as the indirect damages from mountain top removal coal mining in Appalachia, acid rain pollution on wood thrushes, mercury pollution, and anticipated impacts of climate change, average avian mortality for fossil fueled power stations appears to be about 5.18 fatalities per GWh. Based on real world operating experience at four nuclear power plants and two uranium mines and mills, average avian mortality for nuclear systems is about 0.416 GWh. Clearly, wind energy is not as bad for birds as many environmentalists make it out to be, and conventional resources are much more damaging to birds than is commonly believed (Sovacool, 2009). 3. Conclusion The aim of this report was to shed light on the wind power system as an alternative to carbon-based power system. This study first introduced the current economic scenario in the European Union, its heavy dependency on imported fossil fuels. It delved into the reasons for oil price volatility and closely scrutinised wind energy as a viable option for the coming decades. The report also included a benefits analysis and most importantly touched upon a crucial aspect of the wind power development, that of its impact on the avian mortality rate. This report, by all means supports the cause of wind power systems as an important economic, environmental stabiliser. 4. REFERENCE LIST Van Hulle, F., 2009. Integrating Wind: Developing Europe’s power market for the large-scale integration of wind power. European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). James, 2008. Why are oil prices so high? [Internet] London, England: Alternative Energy Blog. Available at: http://alt-e.blogspot.com/ [Accessed 25th November 2009]. Rogers, A., 2008. Wind Power: Are Vertical Axis Turbines Better? [Internet] Kansas: Ogden Publications, Inc (Published 2008). Available at: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Renewable-Energy/2008-02-01/Wind-Power-Horizontal-and-Vertical-Axis-Wind-Turbines.aspx [Accessed 25th November 2009]. European Wind Energy Association, 2009. Cost of wind power compared to other technologies. [Internet]. Available at: http://www.ewea.org/index.php?id=1643 [Accessed 26th November 2009]. Sovacool, K., B., 2009. Save Birds by promoting wind energy. [Internet]. Available at: http://www.scitizen.com/stories/future-energies/2009/05/Save-Birds-by-Promoting-Wind-Energy/index.php? 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