Narrow Results

The seismic performance of monopiled offshore wind turbine (OWT) structures was evaluated numerically. The aim was to analyze offshore wind farm sites on complicated layered seabed with high seismicity. Following pile soil analysis (PISA) model, three-dimensional (3D) numerical evaluations were undertaken for two separate locations under two independent seismic events. The effects of pile diameter, depth, site impact owing to transverse soil layering, uni-directional and multi-directional seismic loading and seismic acceleration magnitude are presented. Dynamic impedance depth variation and site response analysis via lateral displacement, lateral soil response and Fourier response amplitude are explored in frequency and time domain. In a seismic zone with stratified soil, pile diameter has a greater influence. Variations in soil profile affect wind turbine performance and seismic sensitivity. This research will give a strong platform for later studies to recommend a safe wind farm site based on simulation results.

In this paper we establish how effectively EIA is currently utilised in the deployment of onshore and offshore wind energy in the United Kingdom (UK) and Germany. In this context, the quality of EIA documentation and the coverage of a range of key EIA aspects of 20 developments are evaluated. Furthermore, the impact of EIA on decision making is established, based on opinions of decision makers and other stakeholders. We find that whilst there are certain weaknesses, overall EIA information is central to decision making, and EIA is resulting in major project modifications. Our results differ from the findings of most previous studies which usually observed a moderate impact on decision making only.

During this rapid development of wind energy aiming to combat climate change worldwide, there is greater need to avoid, reduce, and compensate for impacts on wildlife: Through the effective use of mitigation, wind energy can continue to expand while reducing impacts. This is a first broad step into discussing and understanding mitigation strategies collectively, identifying the current state of knowledge and be a beneficial resource for practitioners and conservationists.

We review the current state of published knowledge, both land-based and offshore, with a focus on wind energy–wildlife mitigation measures. We state measures and highlight their objective and discuss at which project stage it is most effective (e.g. planning, construction, operation). Thereafter, we discuss key findings within current wind energy mitigation research, needing improved understanding into the efficacy of wildlife mitigation as well as research into the cost aspects of mitigation implementation. This review is divided into two articles; Part 1 focuses on mitigation measures during planning, siting, and construction, while Part 2 focuses on measures during operation and decommissioning.

During this rapid development of wind energy aiming to combat climate change worldwide, there is greater need to avoid, reduce, and compensate for impacts on wildlife: Through the effective use of mitigation, wind energy can continue to expand while reducing impacts. This is a first broad step into discussing and understanding mitigation strategies collectively, identifying the current state of knowledge and be a beneficial resource for practitioners and conservationists. We review the current state of published knowledge, both land-based and offshore, with a focus on wind energy–wildlife mitigation measures. We state measures and highlight their objective and discuss at which project stage it is most effective (e.g. planning, construction, and operation). Thereafter, we discuss key findings within current wind energy mitigation research, needing improved understanding into the efficacy of wildlife mitigation as well as research into the cost aspects of mitigation implementation. This paper is divided into two articles; Part 1 focuses on mitigation measures during planning, siting, and construction, while Part 2 focuses on measures during operation and decommissioning.

This paper presents a novel optimal utilization of hybrid wind–solar system as dynamic voltage restorer (DVR) for voltage sag, voltage swell, outage and unbalanced voltage mitigation. Besides the voltage regulation, the proposed DVR reduces the energy consumption from the three phase utility grid by utilizing the rated inverter capability after excessive or equal real power generation to the load demand during both day time and night time. It reduces the energy consumption from the three phase utility grid. However, the reduction of energy consumption is always desirable for the reduction of panel tariff and electricity demand. The proposed system was simulated using MATLAB-SIMULINK in which the input parameters were selected from the metrological data of the selected location to validate the advantage of the proposed system.

Considering rapid development and emerging new challenges of China's wind energy development, this paper summarizes and analyzes five critical problems. First, according to an economic potential assessment, if the feed-in tariff is set 0.60 Yuan/kWh, the economic potential of wind electricity of China will reach 6.63PWh, it could meet as much as 2/3 of total power demand by 2030, thus the targeted wind power proportion in future high renewable energy penetration can be achieved. Second, wind energy is abundant but little consumed in Northwest, Northeast and North China while it is insufficient in South and East of China, where grid-connection condition is well. Due to this reverse distribution pattern of wind power endowment and consumption in China, grid-connection transmission must be strengthened in the future, particularly the West–East and North–South power transmission projects must be pushed forward. Third, to address the issue of increasing wind energy curtailment in Northeast, Northwest and North China, stimulating local consumption of wind power by multiple ways is a possible solution in the short term, however, in the medium and long run, it is necessary to accelerate the construction of Ultra-High Voltage power grid in order to expand power transmission to other provinces and regions. Fourth, a new electricity market mechanism should be established as the fundamental measure of promoting new energy development, while green certificate trading market and carbon trading market will form the basis for such market mechanism in the long run. Fifth, though wind power development can bring multiple benefits to economy, employment, and environment, large-scale wind power development will, to some extent, affect local and regional climate. As global warming continues, the wind power resource distribution of China and the world may experience significant changes.