Environmental Impacts and Sustainability
Amir shasavari; Azadeh Karimi; Morteza Akbari; Mohammad Alizadeh Noughani
Abstract
Rising energy production and consumption, particularly from fossil fuels, pose substantial threats to both global climate and human well-being. Conventional fossil fuel technologies, as primary energy sources in power plants, predominantly generate pollutants during power generation. Conversely, renewable ...
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Rising energy production and consumption, particularly from fossil fuels, pose substantial threats to both global climate and human well-being. Conventional fossil fuel technologies, as primary energy sources in power plants, predominantly generate pollutants during power generation. Conversely, renewable energy technologies are anticipated to contribute to pollution primarily during equipment manufacturing. The combustion of traditional fuels gives rise to significant volumes of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and hazardous substances, leading to escalated costs for individuals and the worldwide populace. External costs attributed to coal-fired power plants range from 4.0 to 9.5 cents per kilowatt-hour, nearly three times higher than those of gas-fired power plants, and multiple times greater than the expenditures linked with renewable energy technologies. The substitution of non-renewable fuels with clean energy sources stands as an efficacious approach to curtailing atmospheric pollution and the concomitant external expenses. On a global scale, an annual savings of up to 230 billion dollars is potentially attainable by achieving a 36% share of clean energy within the global energy mix by 2030. This topic has garnered the attention of policymakers worldwide. Consequently, this study undertakes an examination of the environmental ramifications and social costs associated with diverse energy sources.
Environmental Impacts and Sustainability
Hasan Hekmatnia; Ahmad Fatahi Ardakani; Armin Mashayekhan; Morteza Akbari
Abstract
As a key economic element, energy plays an important role in the development of societies. Economic growth and its urgent need for energy highlight the need for optimal energy use. Wind energy is an energy source that has become an increasingly common source of electricity. In this study, socio-economic ...
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As a key economic element, energy plays an important role in the development of societies. Economic growth and its urgent need for energy highlight the need for optimal energy use. Wind energy is an energy source that has become an increasingly common source of electricity. In this study, socio-economic impacts of the cost of electricity generated by wind power plants were assessed with Iran as the focus of this study. The environmental impacts of wind energy were also considered by reviewing and analyzing research papers. Studies showed that although the use of wind energy in Iran began in Manjil in northern Iran, no significant progress has been made in this field despite all the efforts over the past years. The results indicated that the initial cost of launching wind turbines was the most important factor in the failure of this technology. The costs of purchasing turbines, construction of roads, provision of electrical infrastructure, project management, installation of turbines, insurance premiums, grid connections, and power lines were shown to affect costs of energy production. Furthermore, operation and maintenance costs, the choice of installation location, increasing production capacity, expansion of the energy market, and policies in the country can play an essential role in determining the cost of wind energy production. Given that power generation using wind turbines are economical, it is recommended that turbines be installed in suitable windy locations. In addition, considering that one of the crises facing the world and especially Iran is environmental pollution, utilizing energies such as wind energy for generating electricity is advised due to their lower pollutant emissions and lower economic and social costs.
