ALTERNATIVE
WIND ENERGY IN
ICELAND
Spring
2012
A VIABLE SOLUTION FOR ICELAND?
SUMMARY of entire report to be made by the group that is
responsible for handing the paper in.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
By James Dannyell Maddison and Rannvá Danielsen
Wind energy is a well-known source of energy. However, in recent years the
technology has drastically improved the energy efficiency and stability of wind
turbines. A World Energy Assessment by the UNDP (2000) estimates that wind energy
theoretically can produce up to 500,000 terawatt-hours annually, though only 10 per
cent of this can realistically be harvested. It has also been the fastest growing
renewable energy technology over the last ten years, with an average growth 18.4 per
cent, according to a report by UNDP and GEF.
The global energy consumption in 2008 was 132,000 terawatt-hours, of which
85 per cent was fossil fuel, so the current realistic production of 50,000 terawatt-hours
could not replace fossil fuels entirely but it could represent a more sustainable
alternative.
Even though Iceland produces both geothermal and hydropower energy, the
use of fossil fuels is still prevalent (though the vast majority is used for transport), and
the total consumption of energy has increased from less than 150 PJ to almost 250 PJ
between 2005 and 2010, according to Orkustofnun (2010). It is still valid to explore
other sustainable energy options for Iceland, especially with the rising energy prices.
The most important factor when deciding the
location of wind turbines is the mean wind speed
To harvest wind energy, the power density needs to be at least 400 watts per
square metre at 30 metres above the ground, or 500 watts per square metre at 50
metres above the ground, according to the UNDP (2000). The most important factor
when deciding where to place wind turbines is the mean wind speed. The power
output varies with the mean wind speed at a factor of three, so a doubling in wind
speed increases the power output by a factor of eight, according to Jónasson (2008).
Landsvirkjun (2010) has made a map that lists the areas where harvesting wind energy
is feasible, which makes it clear that there are countless of areas where the mean
wind speed and infrastructure is adequate.
The power generation of wind turbines is dependent on many factors. When
the turbine reaches the nominal speed where it produces maximum output, this
output remains constant despite increasing winds.
In his project, Jónasson (2008) uses 10 x 2MW wind turbines with a hub height of 100
metres placed in three different locations across Iceland. He estimates that the wind
turbines have a production capacity of approximately 7.0, 7.5 and 8.0 GWh/year
respectively.
It is worth noting that the location with 7.5 GWh/year is the location with the
highest mean wind speed and wind density, but still it doesn’t have the highest power
production. In his analysis, Jónasson (2008) indicates that this location often has very
high wind speeds that will make the wind turbines shut off as a safety measure. The
capacity factor of the wind turbines is 40%, 42% and 46% respectively, which is a very
high capacity factor compared to the common values for on-shore wind farms of 2040%.
The wind map by Landsvirkjun. The blue circles represent the many suitable locations for
wind turbines in Iceland.
This proves how important it is to make a proper analysis of the prospective
location of wind turbines and to find a type of wind turbine that suits the location to
harvest as much power as the conditions of the location allows.
Wind turbines need to connect to main power grids, which ideally are not too
far away, and it is wise to take into consideration population density when deciding
where to place wind turbines, since many people feel they take from the aesthetics of
the landscape in which they are placed. So overall, there are many things to consider
when you are deciding where to place wind turbines.
On the sustainability of wind turbines it is important to consider the process
from which wind power comes. Initially the turbine needs to be built and for this there
are processes that emit pollution and the sourcing of parts, which are transported,
potentially across great distances. This can be reduced though by sourcing parts locally
where possible. Rare earth elements are required in the permanent magnets of
turbines but Enercon has developed a turbine that does not use a permanent magnet,
thus reducing the need for such rare-earth elements. Assembly processes (cutting,
welding, etc.) may also cause pollution although all of this is finite and steps can be
taken to mitigate it including recycling.
Transportation to the site requires the construction of access roads and fuel to
transport the several assemblies, which are very large in size. At the final location
there is a pad required for the final assembly. Access roads are also required for the
power line assemblies and the power line assemblies have the potential to have a
much larger footprint than the wind turbine assembly or assemblies.
After construction comes maintenance which requires the continuation of
access roads, requiring upkeep not only on the assemblies but also the roads
themselves. Part of maintenance is the replacement or upgrading of parts, which again
may have to travel individually large distances from the source to the turbines.
Replacement can come from both regular wear or also upgrading to later parts which
may improve performance or safety of the turbine. Upgrading can also include
increasing the number of turbines in an area or network, requiring greater
infrastructure.
Possibly the most controversial part of wind turbines is the pollution aspect.
Most of the issues relating to pollution are not actually environmental but social.
Actual environmental pollution really only occurs during the manufacture and
assembly. A secondary source of environmental pollution is the variable wind speed,
which can require regular stations to operate to provide backup, reducing the
environmental benefit of wind energy. The social aspect is covered elsewhere so only
a brief list of pollution considered a social issue will be presented here:
•
Visual pollution: turbines are considered large, ugly and stand out prominently
•
Sound pollution: turbines generate a hum and there is sound emitted when the
blades slice through the air
•
Kinetic energy: the moving blades provide a risk to birdlife and large rotating
masses present a safety hazard in the event of a failure.
•
Turbines produce low energy for their footprint so many are required, so-called
"wind farms"
References
•
Jónasson, Smári. 2008. Feasibility Study of Developing Wind Power Projects in
Iceland: An Economic Analysis. Gothenburg: Chalmers University of
Technology
•
Orkustofnun. 2010. Energy Statistic in Iceland 2010. Reykjavík: Orkustofnun
•
UNDP. World Energy Council. ECOSOC. 2000. Chapter 5: Energy Resources.
World Energy Assessment: Energy and the Challenge of Sustainability.
•
UNDP. GEF. 2008. Promotion of Wind Energy: Lessons Learned From
International Experience and UNDP-GEF Projects.
•
Landsvirkjun. 2010. Vindorka. Reykjavík: Landsvirkjun