Presentations

Abstract

As global demand for wind energy rises, understanding the environmental performance of wind turbine components is crucial for ensuring a net-zero aligned carbon footprint of this energy technology. Commonly used steel towers contribute to approximately 20% of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of an onshore wind power plant. As turbine height and size increase, the diameters of steel sections also grow, posing logistical challenges. Concrete-steel hybrid towers can address these issues enabling taller hub heights, which leads to more energy output. This paper compared the potential environmental impacts of steel towers versus hybrid towers with case hub heights of 165 meters. Hotspots and opportunities to reduce GHG emissions during product design were identified through a case study of an onshore wind power plant in Northern Europe.     Using a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, the study examined the potential environmental impacts across the life cycle stages of a wind tower (including foundation), from raw material extraction to end-of-life. Scenarios included both conventional and low GHG emission steel and concrete used for tower manufacturing. The findings indicated that hybrid towers exhibit approximately 40 % lower life cycle GHG emissions compared to conventional steel towers. This trend was consistent across other impact categories, including acidification, eutrophication, and photochemical ozone formation. Comparing scenarios with low GHG emission materials, the study revealed that steel towers and hybrid towers with low GHG emission materials have a similar GHG reduction potential, offering approximately 50-55% lower GHG emissions than conventional steel towers. The results highlight the importance of design and material selection in determining the environmental impact of towers, indicating significant potential for GHG reductions through informed choices in early design stages. Future work should focus on developing low-carbon materials to further minimize the environmental impact of both tower types.