Land-Use Implications of Wind Energy Conversion Systems

Technical Report · Sun Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6548405· OSTI ID:6548405

Noun, Robert J.

An estimated 20 utilities in the United States are now investigating potential wind machine sites in their areas. Identifying sites for wind machine clusters (wind farms) involves more than just finding a location with a suitable wind resource. Consideration must also be given to the proximity of sites to existing transmission lines, environmental impacts, aesthetics, and legal concerns as well as the availability of and alternative uses for the land. These issues have made it increasingly difficult for utilities to bring conventional power plants on-line quickly. Utilities are now required, however, to give careful consideration to specific legal, social, and environmental questions raised by the siting of wind energy conversion systems (WECS).

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 6548405
• Report Number(s): SERI/TP-744-1099
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

17 WIND ENERGY
170500* -- Wind Energy-- Environmental Aspects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
299003 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Unconventional Sources & Power Generation-- Other-- (-1989)
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
POWER PLANTS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
SITE SELECTION
WIND POWER PLANTS
electric utilities
energy planning
policy and economy
environmental impacts
site selection
wind energy
wind power plants