A macro-level decision analysis of wind power as a solution for sustainable energy in the USA |
| |
Authors: | Mehdi Noori Murat Kucukvar |
| |
Affiliation: | Department of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA |
| |
Abstract: | This study aims to quantify the socio-economic and environmental impacts of producing electricity by wind power plants for the US electricity mix. To accomplish this goal, all direct and supply chain-related impacts of different onshore and offshore wind turbines are quantified using a hybrid economic input-output-based triple bottom line (TBL) life cycle assessment model. Furthermore, considering TBL sustainability implications of each onshore and offshore wind energy technology, a multi-criteria decision-making tool which is coupled with Monte Carlo simulation is utilised to find the optimal choice of onshore and offshore wind energy. The analysis results indicate that V90-3.0 MW wind turbines have lower impacts than V80-3.0 MW for both socio-economic and environmental indicators. The Monte Carlo simulation results reveal that when environmental issues are more important than socio-economic impacts, V90-3.0 MW offshore is selected among the alternatives. |
| |
Keywords: | wind energy life cycle assessment triple bottom line multi-criteria decision-making Monte Carlo simulation |
|
|