Page 219 - Materials Chemistry, Second Edition

Life-Cycle Assessment of Wind Energy 207
Table 3 Results of the LCA by impact categories (Martínez, et al., 2009)
Impact category Total Maintenance Tower Foundation Rotor Nacelle
Abiotic depletion 3.75E 2.78E-06 7.28E-066 4.39E-06 1.88E-05 4.33E -06
[kg Sb eq] -05
Acidification 5.43E 3.51E-04 1.35E-03 1.56E-03 2.61E-03 6.96E-04
[kg SO 2 eq] -05
Eutrophication 5.68E 4.98E-11 1.41E-10 8.69E-11 1.83E-10 6.11E-11
-
[kg PO 4 eq] -06
Freshwater aquatic 2.81E 6.48E-03 1.40E-03 3.63E-04 4.36E-04 6.84E-03
ecotoxicity -03
[kg 1,4-DB eq]
Global warming 6.58E 8.19E-05 1.65E-03 4.00E-04 2.43E-04 4.43E-04
(GWP100) -03
[kg CO 2 eq]
Human toxicity 1.55E 3.25E-01 1.69E+00 4.48E-01 1.04E+00 9.26E-01
[kg 1,4-DB eq] -02
Marine aquatic 4.41E+00 2.78E-05 4.89E-05 1.48E-05 1.55E-05 4.99E-05
ecotoxicity
[kg 1,4-DB eq]
Ozone layer 5.21E 5.10E-07 1.84E-07 1.06E-07 6.75E-07 6.51E-07
depletion (ODP) -10
[kg CFC-11 eq]
Photochemical 2.13E 7.64E-06 5.34E-06 3.53E-06 1.94E-05 1.84E-05
oxidation -06
[kg C 2 H 4 ]
Terrestrial 1.56E 3.24E-07 1.71E-06 8.,25E-07 1.91E-06 8.98E-07
ecotoxicity -04
[kg 1,4-DB eq]

A more detailed examination of the results obtained reveals that the main
components with the greatest impact on the environment are the rotor, the tower,
and the nacelle. The impact of the rotor is derived mainly from the amount of
fiberglass used in the blades and in the nose cone that covers the hub. The impact
associated with this material is increased by the fact that it is not recycled at the
end of the turbine’s useful lifetime. In this area, there is a clear potential for
reducing environmental impact if the possibility of recycling fiberglass is con-
sidered in the future, even if it is only as a replacement for other types of plastic in
applications other than wind turbine blades.
In the case of the nacelle, one of the elements that have the most environmental
impact is the copper used in the wiring, and others include the electronic
components and the fiberglass used in the casings that cover and protect the
components that make up the powertrain and the associated systems on the turbine.
The main component of the tower is the steel from which it is manufactured.
Much of the impact associated with it is offset by the fact that this steel is recycled
at the end of the turbine’s useful lifetime.