International Industrial Ecology Day 2021

Wind energy, a kind of clean energy, is usually considered an essential role in transitioning to a low-carbon society. As we know, it causes little environmental impact in the using stage. However, the upstream of wind power generation is a high energy consumption process, such as the production and manufacturing of major equipment. Therefore, it is urgent to use a comprehensive, systematic, scientific method to account for the potential environmental impacts during the whole life cycle of wind power. In this study, we employ the life cycle analysis (LCA) method, analyzing 7 types of environmental impact and considering 6 materials demands of wind power. The result shows wind turbine and tower production contribute most of the Acidification Potential (AP), accounting for about 36%. However, towers and foundations production are two main contributors to Global Warming Potential (GWP). The production stage of wind power accounts for 93% of the total emissions during the life cycle of wind power due to the large energy-intensive materials used such as steel. Therefore, promoting the use of green and clean materials can effectively reduce emissions during the production stage of wind power. In addition, wind power is facing more and more challenges. Not only will there be a need to consider how to meet future demand for many materials, but also how to manage the increasing end-of-life materials of decommissioned wind power. Thus we can further explore the environmental impact and materials recycling of global wind power decommissioned in the future. It will improve the efficiency of materials deployment, and ultimately promote the green development of wind power.