US Wind Farmers Network

This paper explores the feasibility of renewable energy development in the Appalachian region of Virginia, an area historically dependent on the declining coal industry. Applications for cleaner energy sources present themselves in Appalachia, taking advantage of the reclamation of mined lands as an opportunity to reinvigorate the energy industry and address climate change. Starting with a literature review and data collection, we explored the potential development of solar, wind, and hydroelectric energy systems in the region. When assessing the potential for these energy sources, we used a weighting scheme to combine a comprehensive set of metrics according to the preferences of a defined group of stakeholders. Our metrics included both technical constraints and the priorities of stakeholders with respect to solar energy, wind energy, and hydroelectric energy. We also considered county policies encouraging the development of renewable energy projects and how developing renewable energy in areas currently struggling socio-economically would impact the economy. We used ArcGIS Pro to determine available land for development and to analyze metrics over this land. Our findings uncovered that Carroll and Floyd counties were the strongest candidates. After narrowing our scope down to these two counties, we found specific sites that satisfied all our development criteria. This analysis contributes to our ultimate goal of helping the population of these counties develop renewable energy resources to stimulate the surrounding economy and address environmental concerns.

Local Community Benefit Sharing Mechanisms for CCS Projects

Wind power has major benefits including providing for an increasing energy demand while tackling climate change problems. Detailed planning processes such as technical, social, environmental, various agents, and political concerns are essential for the development of wind energy projects. The objective of the present study is to develop a visualization that combines Geographic Information System (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) and implementation for Kayseri, Develi in Turkey as a case study. For the analyzes, CORINE CLC 2000 and other data sources were employed for data acquisition to unlock fragmented and hidden onshore data resources and to facilitate investment in sustainable coastal and inland activities. Several factors were determined in the wind power plant installations such as wind potential, roads, water sources, and these factors were analyzed based on their buffer zones. After detailed analyses, sites near the Havadan (7.87 MW) and Kulpak (9.22 MW) villages were found to be the most suitable locations for the installation of a potential onshore wind farm. The method suggested in this study can be used to analyze the suitability of any region at the regional level for onshore wind power plant and the results of the study can be used to develop based on public perception, renewable energy policies, energy political rules.

Development of new wind energy projects require complex planning process involving many social, technical, economic, environmental, political concerns, and different agents such as investors, utilities, governmental agencies, or social groups. The aim of this study is to develop a tool combining Geographic Information System (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methodologies, and its application for Turkey as a case study. A variety of constraints and criteria were identified based on a literature review and regulations gathered from variety of agencies, use of which resulted in determination of infeasible sites. Then, pairwise comparisons were carried out using analytic hierarchy process as the MCDM method to estimate relative importance of the criteria, and to visualize a suitability map with three classes. As the final stage, decision making was carried out based on environmental impact where 45.5% of the Turkish territory was found as infeasible area. Sixty percent of the remaining area are covered by the moderate suitability class, followed by the highly suitable area (20.3%) and low suitable area (19.8%). The output of this study can be used by energy planners to estimate the extent that wind energy can be developed based on public perception, administrative, and environmental aspects.

This article explores the responsibility of wind energy developers for the rights of Indigenous Peoples whose lands are affected by wind energy projects. Applying a rights-based approach and drawing on three landmark court rulings involving the struggle of Indigenous communities against the development of wind energy projects, the analysis explores the insights provided by the cases for clarifying the responsibility of business actors involved in developing such projects. It examines how Indigenous Peoples’ rights are frequently marginalized or overlooked in the planning and siting of wind energy projects and the need to respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples throughout a project in order to attain a transition that is just. Based on the analysis, we argue for a rights-based approach as the theoretical framework and analytical tool to advance justice in the green transition and a means to articulate the responsibilities of corporate actors within that context.

This research seeks to understand the underlying locational resources and dynamics explaining the location and growth of new, environmental technology industries. Beginning with the location patterns of the US wind turbine manufacturing industry, this research uses demand, supply and policy factors to explain how the resources and dynamics of a location help shape its future industrial composition. The findings include the prominent role of demand factors, including wind power resources, existing installed wind power and electricity prices as well as supply factors, but the weakness of the influence of governmental policy. This research can assist companies, investors and policy-makers understand the spatial dynamics of industry emergence in order to better align their strategies and policies.

Geoscientific research plays a crucial role in shaping renewable energy policies and promoting ecological balance. This review explores the impact of geoscientific research on renewable energy policies and its role in ecological balancing. Geoscientific research provides valuable insights into the geological and environmental factors that influence the feasibility and sustainability of renewable energy projects. By studying the earth's processes, geoscientists can identify suitable locations for renewable energy installations, assess potential risks, and develop strategies to mitigate environmental impacts. One of the key ways in which geoscientific research influences renewable energy policies is through its contribution to resource assessment. Geoscientists use various techniques, such as geological mapping, geophysical surveys, and remote sensing, to identify and quantify renewable energy resources, such as solar, wind, and geothermal energy. This information is essential for policymakers to develop effective policies that promote the development and utilization of renewable energy sources. Furthermore, geoscientific research plays a crucial role in ecological balancing by providing insights into the environmental impacts of renewable energy projects. By studying the interactions between renewable energy installations and the surrounding environment, geoscientists can identify potential ecological risks and develop strategies to minimize them. This information is essential for policymakers to develop policies that ensure the sustainable development of renewable energy projects while protecting the environment. In conclusion, geoscientific research plays a crucial role in shaping renewable energy policies and promoting ecological balance. By providing valuable insights into renewable energy resources and their environmental impacts, geoscientists help policymakers develop effective policies that promote the sustainable development of renewable energy projects.

Aim. Determining the range of problems and consequences associated with the development of the wind power generation industry, which must be considered when designing, constructing and operating wind power facilities. Methodology . To achieve the goal of the study, theoretical research methods were used: analysis of scientific articles, authors dealing with issues and problems of the development of green energy and in particular the direction of development of wind energy. Results. The article examines the evolution of approaches and a wide range of problems arising in the implementation of wind energy projects. The problems posed by the authors of scientific works in the field of influence of wind energy on the environment, people, society, legislative features, specifics of technical and technological implementation, as well as the impact of these problems on the labor resources of the region and industry are considered. Research implications . The findings indicate an urgent need for a comprehensive integrated presentation of projects for the creation of renewable energy systems, as a large-scale community. The results of the study allow us to form a general idea of the prospects and vector of methodological support for the development and implementation of wind energy projects.

Large-scale wind energy potential of the Caribbean region using near-surface reanalysis data

Much of the research on the social sustainability of renewable technologies has focused on local acceptance issues, community benefits from exogenous developments, and matters related to the planning and development process. Grassroots-initiated wind energy schemes as a form of rural enterprise have received less attention, especially in the Irish context. Using a case study approach, this paper analyses the challenges and opportunities faced in progressing community wind energy projects in rural Ireland. Such an analysis is especially relevant given Ireland’s commitment to developing a fair and sustainable society as advocated in its Sustainable Development Framework. With the decline of agriculture and considerable outmigration from rural areas, wind energy represents an opportunity to revitalize rural economies. More generally, as opposition to wind turbines and associated infrastructure is common in Ireland, it is clear that the relevant authorities must engage local stakeholders more meaningfully in the planning and development process. In this vein, community energy initiatives have the potential to boost rural economies, enhance acceptance, and develop knowledge networks at the local level. Drawing lessons from a community wind energy case study, it is argued that community projects can be nurtured in Ireland by (i) engaging communities, especially weak stakeholders, in both agenda setting and the planning and development process for individual projects, and (ii) ensuring that technical and financial support is available to communities, while (iii) being careful to apply the ‘community’ label only to initiatives that can meet the expectations of such a project.

Over the last few decades, the offshore wind energy industry has expanded its scope from turbines mounted on foundations driven into the seafloor and standing in less than 60 m of water, to floating turbines moored in 120 m of water, to prospecting the development of floating turbines moored in ~1,000 m of water. Since there are few prototype turbines and mooring systems of these deepwater, floating offshore wind energy facilities (OWFs) currently deployed, their effects on the marine environment are speculative. Using the available scientific literature concerning appropriate analogs, including fixed-bottom OWFs, land-based wind energy facilities, wave and tidal energy devices, and oil and gas platforms, we conducted a qualitative systematic review to estimate the potential environmental effects of deepwater, floating OWFs during operation, as well as potential mitigation measures to address some of the effects. We evaluated six categories of potential effects: changes to atmospheric and oceanic dynamics due to energy removal and modifications, electromagnetic field effects on marine species from power cables, habitat alterations to benthic and pelagic fish and invertebrate communities, underwater noise effects on marine species, structural impediments to wildlife, and changes to water quality. Our synthesis of 89 articles selected for the review suggests that many of these potential effects could be mitigated to pose a low risk to the marine environment if developers adopt appropriate mitigation strategies and best-practice protocols. This review takes the necessary first steps in summarizing the available information on the potential environmental effects of deepwater, floating OWFs and can serve as a reference document for marine scientists and engineers, the energy industry, permitting agencies and regulators of the energy industry, project developers, and concerned stakeholders such as coastal residents, conservationists, and fisheries.

This paper presents a comprehensive review and analysis of Sarishabari Engreen Solar Plant Ltd., a 3.3 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) system located in Sarishabari, Jamalpur, Bangladesh. The study evaluates the plant's economic and operational performance, revealing a competitive payback period of 10.1 years and a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 0.11 USD/kWh. These metrics highlight the plant's financial viability, largely due to the low cost of public land used for construction. However, profitability may be challenged if similar projects require significant investments in private land acquisition. Key areas for improvement identified include optimizing the tilt angle and integrating smart automation systems. Additionally, the potential for hybrid renewable energy systems combining solar and wind power is discussed. The paper also provides actionable recommendations for future renewable projects, emphasizing the importance of advanced technologies, and supportive policies. These insights aim to inform the optimization of existing solar PV systems and guide the development of future renewable energy projects in Bangladesh, contributing to the country's sustainable energy goals.

In a world increasingly conscious of the degrading state of its environment and with the surge of the oil prices, renewable energies have found a choice place in the energy supply strategies of a great number of countries. In fact, the growing interest in clean and durable energies in general, and in the wind energy in particular, is more than one society phenomenon. It presents today a true stake to which the energy supply security and the reduction of the toxic emissions are closely related. That's why, the contribution of the backers for the mobilization of the necessary financial and technical resources is a guarantee to support the efforts deployed by our countries in order to control the advanced technologies in this domain. The African continent disposes of an important potential in renewable energies notably the hydraulics, the solar, the wind, the biogas and the geothermal. However, this potential remains strongly under exploited because of a certain number of obstacles related to the high cost of investment for these systems, the absence of competences and skilled human resources, the limit of the regional co-operation in this domain, the lack of maintenance structures and the absence of information and reliable data on the energy consumptions. In Tunisia, the development that the country's economy has known for these last years with its positive repercussions on the social plan as well as on the living standard has contributed to the acceleration of the energy consumption rhythm, which on average has increased by 4% per year, thus exceeding the development rate of the hydrocarbons production. Indeed, since 2001, Tunisia has become an importer of primary energy (Fig. 1) [1-4]. In the electricity production sector, the Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas (STEG) has engaged in a diversification of its production park mainly composed of conventional units (vapor thermic, gas turbine and combined cycle), through a progressive recourse to the production projects starting from renewable energies (hydraulic and wind turbines), in spite of their investment cost still high on a worldwide scale (Figs. 2 and 3) [1-4]. The wind power in Tunisia is considered, in the electricity production sector, as a vector carrying in the medium term in contribution to the energy balance improvement and equally to the fight against the climate change. In fact, it is proved that Tunisia is endowed with good wind energy potentials, hardly exploited so far. Moreover, this wind energy currently arouses a great interest not only on behalf of the authorities but also of the private

Several countries are witnessing increasing levels of local opposition to wind energy projects. This is in contrast to opinion polls often showing that a large majority of the population is supportive of low-carbon policies, including deployment of wind energy. At the same time, project developers and policymakers are realising that social acceptance has an emotional component, but struggle to find ways to manage this phenomenon. We surveyed a representative sample of Swiss residents (n = 1111) using affective imagery, asking respondents to list their spontaneous associations with wind power and provide an affective evaluation of each association. We find a strong correlation between the affective imagery and respondents’ likelihood to express concern about local wind projects, suggesting that affect matters in the formation of attitudes towards local wind energy projects. An in-depth analysis of the sequencing of affective imagery highlights that mild opponents have conflicting feelings about wind energy, and that “second thoughts” appear to tip the balance towards opposition for them. The study further reveals that important differences exist between mild and strong opponents, providing a basis for the segmentation of target groups in managing processes of social acceptance.

NREL is the only organization in the US that is accredited to conduct tests of wind turbine systems and components in accordance with International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) test standards. The National Wind Technology Center houses the only full-scale wind turbine blade drivetrain test facilities in the US. To maintain these facilities, accreditation, and the acceptance of the wind industry, NREL must strive continuously to maintain and improve staff capabilities, procedures, facility and equipment. In addition, as wind turbines continue to increase in size, NREL must improve its capability to test the larger components associated with these new turbines. NREL is currently investigating methods to increase blade and drivetrain testing capabilities. Mitsubishi Power Systems (MPS) must also strive to meet the demands of the evolving wind energy industry by developing, proving and manufacturing new, cost-effective blades for its turbines. Mitsubishi has established a joint venture with TPI composites of Rhode Island for manufacturing blades to be installed on US wind turbines. There is an obvious advantage to test these prototype blades in a US facility. The NREL blade test facility is uniquely capable of fulfilling this need. In addition, NREL can provide other testing support to MPS through the use of its dynamometer facility for drivetrain testing and through the use of NREL’s field-testing capabilities for testing wind turbine systems. This CRADA provides the opportunity for both organizations to achieve critical goals in development of wind energy in the US. MPS obtains verification of its wind turbine components and system. NREL obtains improved test capabilities.