Increase the share of renewable energy sources in the energy mix.
Increase pressure on the grid by increasing non-dispatchable electricity generation.
Likely to increase energy independence and energy security by reducing fossil imports.
Reduce global CO2 emissions.
Minimal impact from end-of-life components, which can mainly be recycled.
Visual intrusion is significant if placed on ridges and hilltops where wind resources are strongest. If placed too close to habitations there is potential noise disturbances.
Wind turbines can disturb migratory routes for birds and upset sea life offshore. They can also cause interference with radar systems.
Direct impacts on the cost of the energy transition are limited as wind turbines are cost competitive in windy settings. However, indirect costs of integrating wind at high shares are not well understood and may increase the cost of the energy transition.
May improve balance of payments by substituting imported energy by domestic electricity.
Electricity can be generated by wind turbines at a wide range of scales and using different designs. The dominant concept that emerged during the 1990s is the structurally stiff, 3-bladed rotor, upwind design. This design can be deployed globally at scales ranging from a few kW to several MW. Small turbines can be fixed to buildings or mounted on poles near remote buildings, for example. Large wind farms employ several hundred MW-scale turbines.
Where conditions permit, wind turbines are increasingly sited offshore in view of their visual intrusion and thanks to normally high and relatively constant offshore wind speeds.
• For larger turbines it is hard to find sites that offer an acceptable compromise between wind speed, visual intrusion, grid connection cost, and other factors.
• Grid operators are wary of accepting high level shares of wind generation in the absence of means to balance the grid in the event of shortfalls.
• Smaller turbines in low wind settings are rarely economic.
Next tables contain the assumptions that have been introduced in the Wind energy model of the calculator.
Capacity factor | ||
---|---|---|
2011 | 2035 | 2050 |
0.23 | 0.25 | 0.27 |
Monthly distribution [1] | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
0.120 | 0.093 | 0.104 | 0.065 | 0.065 | 0.050 | 0.055 | 0.050 | 0.058 | 0.103 | 0.112 | 0.125 |
Emissions | |||
---|---|---|---|
2011 | 2035 | 2050 | |
CO2-eq. emissions [kgCO2-eq./kWhe] | 0.0161 | 0.00903 | 0.00836 |
Deposited waste [UBP/kWhe] | 1.89 | 1.06 | 0.979 |
Cost | |||
---|---|---|---|
2011 | 2035 | 2050 | |
Specific investment [CHF/kWe] | 2'008 | 1'693 | 1'644 |
MIN Value: 0 GW
MAX Value:
2035 | 4.5GW | The maxumum potential is estimated to be 10 TWh [2], produced by 4.23 GW (Capacity factor = 0.27). This is equivalent to about 185 wind turbine parks with 5 to 10 turbines. These parks would cover 0.54% of the Swiss surface. |
---|---|---|
2050 |
[1] Juvent website (wind turbines in Jura)
[2] Suisse Eole (2012), Potentiels et buts de l’énergie éolienne en Suisse.
[3] International Energy Agency