Abstract
Over the past few decades, there has been a recognition of the growing need for different forms of energy outside of fossil fuels. Since the latter half of the twentieth century individuals, corporations, and governments have become increasingly aware of the effects of the emissions of carbon and other harmful pollutants on the environment. With this greater concern has come increasing activity to combat these harmful emissions by using alternative fuel sources to power homes, businesses, and cities. As can be seen from recent trends in their installed capacity, it is clear that renewable energy resources will continue to be more commonly used in the future. As renewable energy increases, a decrease in a range of harmful pollutants from the energy sector will also occur. This paper provides a case study to estimate the potential environmental and health benefits of an increased shift from fossil fuels to renewable fuels for electrical production in Oklahoma. Results illustrate and quantify the specific reduction that wind energy can and will have on air quality, as well as provide a quantification of the associated potential health benefits.
Highlights
Since the latter half of the twentieth century individuals, corporations, and governments have become increasingly aware of the effects of pollution emissions on the environment
The analysis focused on SO2 and Nitrous Oxides (NOX), as the health bene ts of a CO2 reduction solely from Oklahoma wind energy would be negligible. e greatest impact from a CO2 reduction would be a projected reduction in climate change in the future. e health estimates shown in Figures 5 and 6 were calculated using numbers from US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Energy Information Agency (EIA) [24,25,26]. e EPA, as part of it Clear Skies Initiative, provided a sophisticated way to convert emissions to health effects, using population, proximity to utility plants, average age of population, and other variables
One way to measure the impact of wind energy is to measure the economic impact
Summary
Since the latter half of the twentieth century individuals, corporations, and governments have become increasingly aware of the effects of pollution emissions on the environment International organizations such as the G8 group of leading economic countries have recognized the importance of renewable energy for sustainable development, as well as for energy security, diversi cation of energy supply, and environmental preservation. Us, with the world becoming ever more aware of the effects of carbon and other pollution emissions on our planet, the matter of whether or not wind will be able to supply the country with clean electricity is Journal of Renewable Energy at the forefront of many minds. A er these values are estimated for the past decade in Oklahoma, an estimation of the potential health and cost savings associated with this pollution reduction is undertaken
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
