Analysis of wind projects considering public perception and environmental impact

Abstract

Nowadays, we are confronting many different problems and limitations associated with conventional electricity generation. People are concerned about the pollution emitted by energy sources like coal. oil and natural gas. Wind power is one of the most rapidly growing technologies for renewable power generation, and is taking an important role as an accepted utility generation technology. It is important to consider the direct and indirect environmental impacts associated with wind energy. Some of them are related to the visual impact, noise, use of lands, electromagnetic interferences, the impact on birds and the impact of construction in terrestrial ecosystems. This paper focuses on the perception of the public about wind energy, and potential environmental impacts. The paper also presents an example of the analysis for a wind project in the island of Puerto Rico, considering impact on bird mortality.

A defasagem de conhecimento na prática na Avaliação de Impacto Ambiental em projetos de energia eólica

“…Sendo assim, é possível que os limites legais de conforto acústico não sejam adequados para o ruído gerado por parques eólicos. Isto é, os níveis de ruído gerados podem ser facilmente medidos e previstos, porém o incômodo causado depende da percepção da população e de fatores subjetivos (Zamot et al, 2005).…”

Siting a wind farm in Oregon: Considering a hierarchical decision model with four scenarios

“…Many sites are constructed in mountain passes, which also happen to be migratory bird routes. The impact to birds is probably one of the more wellknown environmental impacts, and the impact of turbines on aviary populations is a well-known public concern [59].…”

Feasibility of Residential Wind Energy Generation in Puerto Rico

“…The wind speed heights are adjusted using the power law equation to fit the wind turbines' hub height [4]. This equation is shown in expression (1). (1) Expression (1) shows the relationship between height and wind speed, where v 2 is the wind speed at the desired height h 2 , v 1 is the wind speed measured at a known height h 1 , and α is the wind shear coefficient.…”

“…he increasing price of foreign fossil fuels causes an economic burden in Puerto Rico that promotes the use of endogenous renewable energy resources [1]. Reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions are additional incentives to implement renewable energy.…”