toro__the-environmental-impacts-of-renewable-energy.ppt

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1. The environmental The environmental
impacts of renewable impacts of renewable
energyenergy
Prof. Luigi ToroProf. Luigi Toro
Sapienza University of RomeSapienza University of Rome
Dept. Of ChemistryDept. Of Chemistry

2. Zero–impact illusionZero–impact illusion
Every type of energy utilization for Every type of energy utilization for
electricity generation has electricity generation has
environmental consequences, environmental consequences,
including renewable energiesincluding renewable energies
manufacture processesmanufacture processes
aesthetic impactaesthetic impact
use of large areas of landuse of large areas of land
impact on the eco-systemimpact on the eco-system

3. Issues to be addressed in Issues to be addressed in
the EU-MENA energy projectthe EU-MENA energy project
Manufacture processes - 1Manufacture processes - 1
Due to the large size of the systems involved, Due to the large size of the systems involved, manufacture, installation, maintenance manufacture, installation, maintenance and ultimatelyand ultimately disposition disposition of all the system components are to be optimised and subjected to an of all the system components are to be optimised and subjected to an LCA analysis. LCA analysis.
Each of these processes require some energy input, which might significantly Each of these processes require some energy input, which might significantly reduce the overall energy balance.reduce the overall energy balance.
ACTIONS REQUIRED: ACTIONS REQUIRED:
a) a) Development of rigorous process and activities Development of rigorous process and activities
 integration integration
b) b) Rigorous and quantitative LCA analysisRigorous and quantitative LCA analysis

4. Manufacture processes - 2 Manufacture processes - 2 Should photovoltaic cells be considered, the hazardous materials contained in them (arsenic and cadmium) can pose a serious problem in areas subject to dust abrasion, such as deserts. Even silicon Should photovoltaic cells be considered, the hazardous materials contained in them (arsenic and cadmium) can pose a serious problem in areas subject to dust abrasion, such as deserts. Even silicon
dust might pose a health problem.dust might pose a health problem.
ACTIONS REQUIRED: ACTIONS REQUIRED:
a) a) Study of the rates of removal of hazardous materials from atmospheric agents Study of the rates of removal of hazardous materials from atmospheric agents
b) b) Development of reliable regional models for the atmospheric dispersion and dry and wet settling of particulates generated from solar modulesDevelopment of reliable regional models for the atmospheric dispersion and dry and wet settling of particulates generated from solar modules
Issues to be addressed in Issues to be addressed in
the EU-MENA energy projectthe EU-MENA energy project

5. Aesthetic impact - 1 Aesthetic impact - 1

The construction of wind turbines towers may reduce property values and natural amenities, damaging or preventing the development of tourist resort in both South European and North African coastlinesThe construction of wind turbines towers may reduce property values and natural amenities, damaging or preventing the development of tourist resort in both South European and North African coastlines.
ACTION REQUIRED: ACTION REQUIRED:
a) a) Contingent analysis to identify the locations suitable for the construction of wind turbine towers Contingent analysis to identify the locations suitable for the construction of wind turbine towers

Issues to be addressed in Issues to be addressed in
the EU-MENA energy projectthe EU-MENA energy project

6. Aesthetic impact - 2 Aesthetic impact - 2
The construction of overhead transmission lines and other facilities of a HVDC grid (pylons and transmission towers) in scenic areas (i.e. across the Alps) can run into the strong opposition of local communities.The construction of overhead transmission lines and other facilities of a HVDC grid (pylons and transmission towers) in scenic areas (i.e. across the Alps) can run into the strong opposition of local communities.
This may require the underground siting of additional energy infrastructure elements. (This is already part of the plan for the upgrading of the electricity grid in Piedmont)This may require the underground siting of additional energy infrastructure elements. (This is already part of the plan for the upgrading of the electricity grid in Piedmont)
ACTIONS REQUIRED: ACTIONS REQUIRED:

a) a) Consider Consider tunneling and micro tunneling, using the technology borrowed from oil field explorationtunneling and micro tunneling, using the technology borrowed from oil field exploration
b) b) Consider the simultaneous underground of additional facilities (pipelines, captured CO2 ducts, etc.) to reduce costs.Consider the simultaneous underground of additional facilities (pipelines, captured CO2 ducts, etc.) to reduce costs.
Issues to be addressed in Issues to be addressed in
the EU-MENA energy projectthe EU-MENA energy project

7. Use of land Use of land
While wind power does not pose any significant problem, solar energy does, unless on worthless soil (deserts).While wind power does not pose any significant problem, solar energy does, unless on worthless soil (deserts).
The use of energy crops sent prices soaring and created the 3F-conflict (Food - Feed - Fuel).The use of energy crops sent prices soaring and created the 3F-conflict (Food - Feed - Fuel).
ACTIONS REQUIRED: ACTIONS REQUIRED:
a) a) Use wastes, refuses and lignocellulosic products or energy crops harvested in off-yearsUse wastes, refuses and lignocellulosic products or energy crops harvested in off-years

b) b) Optimise the production of electricity, fuels and chemicals in Optimise the production of electricity, fuels and chemicals in integrated biorefineriesintegrated biorefineries
Issues to be addressed in Issues to be addressed in
the EU-MENA energy projectthe EU-MENA energy project

8. Impact on ecosystems Impact on ecosystems
The major impact reported for wind towers is The major impact reported for wind towers is bird deaths from electrocution or collisions with spinning rotors.bird deaths from electrocution or collisions with spinning rotors.
Large extensions of concentrating solar systems might disturb migratory birds. Large extensions of concentrating solar systems might disturb migratory birds.
ACTION REQUIRED: ACTION REQUIRED:
a) a) Identify areas which are not included in migratory paths Identify areas which are not included in migratory paths
Issues to be addressed in Issues to be addressed in
the EU-MENA energy projectthe EU-MENA energy project

9. Conclusions Conclusions
A quantitative analysis of the overall A quantitative analysis of the overall
environmental impact of the EU-MENA environmental impact of the EU-MENA
energy project has not been carried out in energy project has not been carried out in
detail yet. detail yet.
A number of actions have been identified for A number of actions have been identified for
inclusion in a comprehensive environmental inclusion in a comprehensive environmental
feasibility studyfeasibility study