Title: Managing long-term environmental aspects of wind turbines: a prospective case study

Authors: Per Dannemand Andersen, Mads Borup, Thomas Krogh

Addresses: System Analysis Department, Risoe National Laboratory, Technical University of Denmark, P.O. Box 49, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark. ' System Analysis Department, Risoe National Laboratory, Technical University of Denmark, P.O. Box 49, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark. ' Wind Energy Department, Risoe National Laboratory, Technical University of Denmark, P.O. Box 49, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark

Abstract: This paper describes a method for mapping and mitigating the negative environmental impacts of wind turbines and provides an analysis of future removal and recycling processes of offshore wind turbines. The time horizon is up to 2050. The method is process-oriented and interactive with respect to the participation of the actors involved in this area. It recognises the dynamic, uncertain and rapidly changing character of wind energy and deals systematically with the future removal and recycling of wind turbines and future wind turbine technologies. The method combines life cycle assessment and technology foresight methods and integrates the perspectives of the present and the future.

Keywords: prospective methodologies; life cycle assessment; LCA; technology foresight; environmental impact; wind power; offshore wind turbines; wind energy; long-term impact; negative impact; wind turbine removal; wind turbine recycling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2007.015169

International Journal of Technology, Policy and Management, 2007 Vol.7 No.4, pp.339 - 354

Published online: 20 Sep 2007 *

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