Documents wind power 13 results

"The aim of this report is to provide an update of the state of the art of wind energy technology and to identify how EC funded projects contributed to technology advancements. Moreover, this version of the LCEO Technology DevelopThe aim of this report is to provide an update of the state of the art of wind energy technology and to identify how EC funded projects contributed to technology advancements. Moreover, this version of the LCEO Technology Development Report complements the last version [JRC 2019a] which explained main characteristics on wind energy with detailed development trends of the main technical indicators in onshore and offshore wind.A main focus is on the progress and technology readiness level (TRL) of R&D wind energy projects in the European context funded through the main European research funding instruments. Particularly for offshore wind energy, the progress within the SET-Plan1 Implementation Working Group (IWG) for Offshore Wind is analysed against its research priorities.As such, this report sets a clear emphasis on the technology status, research landscape and deployment and development trends in the European market and provides an outlook for wind energy under a scenario compatible with the SET-Plan targets and striving for full decarbonisation of the European energy system until 2050.ent Report complements the last version [JRC 2019a] which explained main characteristics on wind energy with detailed development trends of the main technical indicators in onshore and offshore wind. A main focus is on the progress and technology readiness level (TRL) of R&D wind energy projects in the European context funded through the main European research funding instruments. Particularly for offshore wind energy, the progress within the SET-Plan1 Implementation Working Group (IWG) for Offshore Wind is analysed against its research priorities. As such, this report sets a clear emphasis on the technology status, research landscape and deployment and development trends in the European market and provides an outlook for wind energy under a scenario compatible with the SET-Plan targets and striving for full decarbonisation of the European energy system until 2050."

"With shortages of fossil energy, especially oil and natural gas, and heavy biomass energy use occurring in both developed and developing countries, a major focus has developed worldwide on renewable energy systems. Renewable energy systems include wind power, biomass, photovoltaics, hydropower, solar thermal, thermal ponds, and biogas.
Currently, a heavy focus is on biofuels made from crops, such as corn, sugarcane, and soybeans, for use as renewable energy sources. Wood and crop residues also are being used as fuel. Though it may seem beneficial to use renewable plant materials for biofuel, the use of crop residues and other biomass for biofuels raises many concerns about major environmental problems, including food shortages and serious destruction of vital soil resources.
All renewable energy systems need to be investigated because humankind has only about 40 years of oil and gas reserves remaining. There is a 50 to 100 year supply of coal resources in the ground, but coal will become increasingly difficult to extract and will greatly increase the global warming threat.
Serious energy conservation and research on viable renewable energy technologies are needed. This book considers the effectiveness and economics of several renewable energy technologies of current interest, including biofuels, solar and wind."

"Finding ways to manage the waste from the expected high number of wind turbine blades in need of disposal is crucial to harvest wind energy in a truly sustainable manner. Landfilling is the most cost-effective disposal method in the United States, but it imposes significant environmental impacts. Thermal, mechanical, and chemical processes allow for some energy and/or material recovery, but they also carry potential negative externalities. This article explores the main economic and environmental issues with various wind turbine blade disposal methods. We argue for the necessity of policy intervention that encourages industry to develop better technologies to make wind turbine blade disposal sustainable, both environmentally and economically. We present some of the technological initiatives being researched, such as the use of bio-derived resins and thermoplastic composites in the manufacturing process of the blades."

"In this paper we present an up-to-date literature review on employment opportunities associated with the deployment of renewable energy technology. We identified approximately 70 studies and data sources published over the past decade that report analysed or observed employment impacts of renewable energy growth. These publications cover many different countries and several technology options, and present widely varying results derived from distinct methodological approaches. Our first overall conclusion is that there is clear lack of authenticity of findings in this literature, since recursive referencing abounds and relatively few studies yield truly original research. When we omit non-authentic analyses, as well as those that aggregate results in a way that does not allow us to calculate ‘employment factors' (defined as the number of jobs or amount of work generated per unit of electricity production capacity), the total list of references is brought to 31 independent items. Of these, only 14 references provide separate estimates of the employment factors for the stages of manufacturing and installation, respectively, as opposed to employment factors for these two activities combined. A total of 23 items provide values for operation and maintenance (O&M) employment factors. We observe significant uncertainties in quoted figures for job creation, both across and within publications."

"Malgré une très forte croissance de l'implantation d'éoliennes à travers le monde et notamment au Québec, les statistiques d'accidents de travail, même au niveau international, demeurent fragmentaires et illustrent mal la situation en matière de santé et de sécurité au travail dans ce secteur. Cette étude visait à mieux comprendre les risques et les pratiques en santé et en sécurité du travail, alors que des centaines d'éoliennes de grande puissance s'ajoutent chaque année au Québec. Il s'agissait donc d'effectuer un état des lieux de l'industrie éolienne.
La démarche utilisée dans cette étude utilise plusieurs voies, autres que la seule analyse statistique, pour identifier, décrire et analyser les risques d'accident dans ce secteur, mais aussi les pratiques de prévention et la conformité de ces pratiques à celles que la CSST recommande. Il s'agit, à notre connaissance, de la première étude qui établit un portrait de la santé et de la sécurité au travail pour le personnel qui travaille dans ou en lien avec cette industrie.
Les résultats de l'étude portent, en premier lieu, sur la recension des accidents de travail survenus dans cette industrie depuis le début des années 2000. À cet égard, il convient de signaler, au-delà des risques associés aux aspects mécaniques des éoliennes, la présence de risques cardiaques ainsi que d'accidents dus aux risques électriques liés aux circuits de puissance ou aux circuits de commande. Ce sont deux résultats assez logiques puisque la caractéristique de ces travaux est de s'effectuer en hauteur, et que d'autre part, une éolienne étant une centrale électrique, c'est bien au niveau de l'électricité que se concentre une grande partie des risques.
Les programmes de prévention, qui ont pu être recensés, sont disparates et se présentent sous des formes multiples, souvent simplement empruntées aux fabricants d'éoliennes, dont aucun n'est québécois. Il n'existe pas non plus d'exemple clair et instructif de pratique, à cet égard, ailleurs dans le monde. Il faudra donc plutôt s'orienter vers la mise en place par les entreprises opérant au Québec, de plans de prévention adaptés et conformes à la législation québécoise et aux exigences de la CSST. L'analyse de la réalité du travail sur le terrain a conduit les chercheurs à plusieurs périodes d'observation des techniciens pendant leur travail d'exploitation et d'entretien des éoliennes, mais aussi des entreprises de construction et sous-traitants pendant la phase de construction d'un parc éolien. Ces observations ont permis de compléter le recueil des données et de caractériser les risques et les procédures de travail.
Le cadenassage, au sens où on l'entend au Québec pour les machines, n'est pas applicable comme tel dans le secteur éolien. La recherche a permis d'établir un premier cadre où pourraient s'appliquer des mesures renforcées, plus claires pour les travailleurs, mais aussi adaptées au contexte très particulier des éoliennes, véritables centrales électriques situées en hauteur.
Enfin, le travail en milieu isolé et dans des conditions hivernales, qui est caractéristique du travail exécuté dans l'industrie éolienne au Québec, pose des défis qui ne peuvent être abordés que d'une façon adaptée à la réalité d'ici. La problématique de l'assistance et de l'évacuation rapide de travailleurs blessés, loin de tout support en sauvetage, est prédominante. La recherche a permis d'identifier certains enjeux comme le temps de réponse des ambulances et l'évacuation héliportée, et de jeter les bases de stratégies potentielles d'amélioration.

"Wind energy is often said to have positive effects on employment, but few studies have systematically dealt with this matter. This article presents estimates of direct wind energy employment in all EU countries, gathered for the first time. By using a thematic survey, the authors have been able to analyse aspects such as gender distribution, company profiles and the shortage of skilled workers reported by wind energy companies. The outcomes show that wind energy deployment creates a significant number of jobs (over 104,000 in 2008), and does so at a time when other energy sectors are shrinking. There is a clear relationship between MW installed and number of jobs, but the use of a single EU job/MW ratio is not feasible, due to differences in the export/import capacity. Wind turbine manufacturers -including major sub-components- are responsible for the lion's share of the jobs, and there is a marked prevalence of males in the workforce. The scarcity of specialist roles -project managers, engineers and O&M technicians- is not likely to be solved unless a series of educational, mobility and dissemination measures are put into practice."

"Our international team will develop five comparative case studies on wind turbine manufacturing and windfarm deployment in Denmark, Germany, England, Scotland and South Africa. Our analysis will consider four pinch points in the pursuit of a just transition to low carbon energy: (1) community engagement and resistance, (2) vocational skill formation, (3) job quality and (4) social dialogue. Using data collected from eighty-five interviews conducted between 2012 and 2018 and new data from twenty-nine interviews and thirteen focus groups we will explore the following: How is just transition defined and implemented? What are the political and socio economic pinch points at manufacturing sites and in windfarm communities? How are the intensifying demands on work and the environment, resulting from political agendas requiring low cost and large scale deployment of wind turbines, being dealt with? How can the expansion of this new industry be managed equitably?"