How do you assess the social and economic benefits of wind energy in your life cycle assessment?

1 What is a life cycle assessment?

A life cycle assessment is a systematic analysis of the inputs, outputs and impacts of a product or system throughout its life cycle. It covers all stages, from raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, installation, operation, maintenance, decommissioning and disposal. A LCA can help you identify the environmental, social and economic hotspots, trade-offs and opportunities of a product or system. For example, a LCA of wind energy can reveal the emissions, resource use, land use, noise, visual impacts, job creation, income generation, health effects and social acceptance of wind turbines.

2 How to conduct a LCA of wind energy?

To conduct a LCA of wind energy, you need to follow four main steps: goal and scope definition, inventory analysis, impact assessment and interpretation. In the goal and scope definition, you need to define the purpose, scope and boundaries of your study, as well as the functional unit, which is the basis for comparison. For example, you can choose to compare the electricity production from wind energy with other sources, such as coal or solar. In the inventory analysis, you need to collect data on the inputs and outputs of each life cycle stage, such as materials, energy, emissions and waste. In the impact assessment, you need to translate the inventory data into indicators of environmental, social and economic impacts, such as global warming potential, human health, biodiversity, employment, income and welfare. In the interpretation, you need to evaluate the results, identify the main contributors, highlight the uncertainties and limitations, and draw conclusions and recommendations.

3 What are the environmental benefits of wind energy?

One of the main environmental benefits of wind energy is that it reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution compared to fossil fuels. According to a meta-analysis of 119 LCAs of wind energy, the average life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of wind energy are 11 g CO2eq/kWh, which is much lower than the 820 g CO2eq/kWh of coal and the 490 g CO2eq/kWh of natural gas. Wind energy also reduces the emissions of other pollutants, such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide, which can cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Another environmental benefit of wind energy is that it reduces water consumption and withdrawal, which can be significant for thermal power plants that use water for cooling. Wind energy also reduces the dependence on non-renewable resources, such as coal, oil and gas, and enhances the diversity and security of energy supply.

4 What are the social benefits of wind energy?

One of the main social benefits of wind energy is that it creates jobs and income for local communities. According to a study by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the global wind energy sector employed 1.2 million people in 2018, with 37% of them being women. Wind energy also stimulates the development of local industries, such as manufacturing, construction, operation and maintenance, and supports the provision of education and training. Another social benefit of wind energy is that it improves the access to electricity for rural and remote areas, where grid connection may be costly or unreliable. Wind energy can also enhance the social acceptance and participation of renewable energy projects, by involving stakeholders in the planning, decision-making and ownership processes.

5 What are the economic benefits of wind energy?

One of the main economic benefits of wind energy is that it reduces the costs of electricity generation and transmission. Wind energy has become one of the cheapest sources of electricity in many regions, thanks to the technological improvements, economies of scale and learning effects. According to IRENA, the global weighted average levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of onshore wind energy was 0.053 USD/kWh in 2019, which is lower than the LCOE of coal (0.109 USD/kWh) and gas (0.063 USD/kWh). Wind energy also reduces the costs of transmission and distribution, by generating electricity close to the demand centers and reducing the losses and congestion. Another economic benefit of wind energy is that it increases the competitiveness and innovation of the energy sector, by fostering the development of new technologies, markets and business models. Wind energy also contributes to the macroeconomic stability and growth, by reducing the exposure to fossil fuel price volatility and enhancing the trade balance.

6 Here’s what else to consider

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