How sustainable are our energy technologies? Photovoltaics and wind energy systems as examples Online publication date: Mon, 06-Aug-2007
by Tobias J. Petrovic, Hermann-Josef Wagner
International Journal of Energy Technology and Policy (IJETP), Vol. 5, No. 3, 2007
Abstract: The energy sector plays a key role within the concept of Sustainable Development. Therefore, sustainability aspects should be considered when new energy systems are assessed. How does a specific supply option contribute to a desired sustainable development of the energy system? To answer this question, indicators are needed. These should cover the most significant sustainability issues of the energy sector. In a research project carried out at the Chair for Energy Systems and Energy Economics of Ruhr-Universitat Bochum, seven appropriate indicators were found. They were applied to wind turbines and photovoltaic systems as well as to a natural gas fired gas and steam plant. Sample calculations reveal characteristic strength and weakness profiles for the evaluated systems against the sustainability criteria. The results show, that renewable energy systems clearly contribute to a sustainable development of the energy sector. The indicators are, in principle, applicable to other energy technologies.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Energy Technology and Policy (IJETP):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook