Life cycle assessment: A case study of two wind turbines used in Mexico

• Published in: Applied thermal engineering Vol. 75; pp. 1210 - 1216
• Main Authors: Vargas, A.V., Zenón, E., Oswald, U., Islas, J.M., Güereca, L.P., Manzini, F.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 22.01.2015
• Subjects: Environmental impact; Environmental impacts; Greenhouse gases; Life cycle assessment; Nacelles; Phases; Renewable energy; Sustainability; Thermal engineering; Turbines; Wind turbine; Wind turbines; Life cycle assessment; Environmental impacts; Wind turbine; Greenhouse gases
• ISSN: 1359-4311
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2014.10.056

This paper presents the case study of two wind turbines installed in Mexico which are analyzed using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. Environmental impacts of different fabrication materials and electricity consumption were studied for the main turbine components. The designs of both turbines were examined through the phases of manufacture, construction, and final disposal. Both turbines (turbine A and turbine B) were of 2.0 megawatts (MW). Results ascertain that the most intensive environmental impacts come from the nacelle and tower components of both turbines; and that within life cycle phases, turbine A influences the environment less than turbine B, specifically during manufacture and final disposal. This study is valuable for decision makers in the domain of technological product design and marketing; in order to determine which features of the wind turbines can be modified to mitigate environmental impacts, contributing to technological innovation in the domains of sustainability and renewable energies in Mexico. •Two wind turbines were compared by LCA methodology in Mexican conditions.•The overall assessment of the environmental impacts in all phases was achieved.•LCA technique revealed that the nacelle and tower have most environmental impacts.•Environmental impacts reduction in LC of turbines will enrich Mexican wind industry.