dunsland cross windfarm
Power
Wind power has one of the lowest carbon footprints of any generating technology with nearly all the emissions occurring during the manufacturing and construction phases and arising from the production of steel for the tower, concrete for the foundations and epoxy/fibreglass for the rotor blades.
Carbon footprints are calculated using a method called life cycle assessment (LCA). This method is used to analyse the cumulative environmental impacts of a process or product through all the stages of its life. It takes into account energy inputs and emission outputs throughout the whole production chain from exploration and extraction of raw materials to processing, transport and final construction and use. The LCA method is internationally accredited by ISO 14000 standards. According to The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (October 2006, Postnote Number 268);
"Conventional coal combustion systems result in emissions in the order of 1,000gCO2eq/kWh."
"Current gas powered electricity generation has a carbon footprint around 500gCO2eq/kWh."
"The carbon footprint of onshore wind is around 4.64gCO2eq/kWh."
The windfarm will not only help towards national and regional targets for the generation of renewable energy, but will also help reduce CO2 emissions from the electricity generating industry by using wind instead of burning fossil fuels.
Carbon displacement
The energy produced by the windfarm will replace generation of electricity from the burning of fossil fuels. As it is not known which type of generation plant (e.g. gas or coal) will be replaced, it is difficult to provide an exact figure. However, we are advised that a figure of 430 grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt hour of electricity generated should be used. Please see Chapter 1 of the Environmental Statement for full details of assumptions.
On this basis, and assuming a capacity factor of 0.264, the three turbines at Dunsland Cross would save a minimum of approximately 7,450 tonnes of carbon dioxide during each year of operation. For fuller details see Chapter 1 of the Environmental Statement.
Clean energy production
If constructed the windfarm could generate enough energy from renewable sources to power the equivalent of 3,640 homes For fuller details see Chapter 1 of the Environmental Statement.
