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Dependence of Wind Energy on Electric Utility in the US

CSS Publication Number
CSS11-09
Full Publication Date
June 30, 2011
Abstract

The wind power sector in the US is poised to see increased growth as concerns over the consumption of non-renewable energy resources and climate change intensify. While wind power systems produce near-zero emissions during operation, a significant amount of energy required for their production comes from carbon emitting energy sources. The embodied carbon (EC) of wind systems varies depending on the geographical region in which these systems are produced. This paper suggests that certain regions of the U.S. are better suited for the production of wind systems because the energy supplied to industry by utilities has a higher proportion of low carbon fuel sources.

Research Areas
Energy
Energy Systems
Keywords
Embodied carbon, Energy input to production of wind power systems, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Manufacturing emissions
Publication Type
Conference Proceeding
Digital Object Identifier
DOI:10.1109/ISSST.2011.5936886
Full Citation
Bunker, W.J. Benjamin, and Ming Xu. “Dependence of wind energy on electric utility in the U.S.” Proceedings of 2011 IEEE International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technology (ISSST), May 16-18, 2011, Chicago, IL: 1-5