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2 - Wind Energy

from Technologies for Decarbonising the Electricity Sector

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 October 2021

By
Nathan Steggel  and
David Osmond
Edited by
Kenneth G. H. Baldwin ,
Mark Howden ,
Michael H. Smith ,
Karen Hussey  and
Peter J. Dawson
Kenneth G. H. Baldwin
Affiliation:
Australian National University, Canberra
Mark Howden
Affiliation:
Australian National University, Canberra
Michael H. Smith
Affiliation:
Australian National University, Canberra
Karen Hussey
Affiliation:
University of Queensland
Peter J. Dawson
Affiliation:
P. J. Dawson & Associates
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Summary

Improvements in wind technology and reductions in cost mean that wind energy is now one of the most important sources of new electricity generation. This chapter looks at the history, physics and technological improvements leading to current wind turbine technology. Longer turbine blades and taller hub heights have played a key role in improving wind turbine performance. It also covers the development process required to build a wind farm including monitoring, energy assessment and financing aspects. A summary of pricing of recent wind energy projects from around the world demonstrates the economic competitiveness of the technology. We consider Denmark, and how it deals with the variability of obtaining more than 30% of its electricity from wind. Finally, it is demonstrated that a modest increase in wind installations to 72 gigawatts per year could see the world obtaining about 20% of electricity from wind power by 2040.

Keywords

Wind EnergyWind TurbineEfficiencyCapacity factorLevelised cost of energyFinancingIntermittancyRenewable Penetration
Type
Chapter
Information
Transitioning to a Prosperous, Resilient and Carbon-Free Economy
A Guide for Decision-Makers
 , pp. 41 - 59
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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