System impacts of wind energy developments: Key research challenges and opportunities


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Date

2025-01-15

Publication Type

Review Article

ETH Bibliography

yes

Citations

Altmetric

Data

Abstract

Wind power accounted for 8% of global electricity generation in 2023 and is one of the cheapest forms of low- carbon electricity. Although fully commercial, many challenges remain in achieving the required scale-up, relating to integrating wind farms into wider technical, economic, social, and natural systems. We review the main challenges, outline existing solutions, and propose future research needed to overcome existing problems. Although the techno-economic challenges of grid and market integration are seen as significant obstacles to scaling up wind power, the field is replete with solutions. In many countries, planning and permitting are immediate barriers to wind-power deployment; although solutions are emerging in the EU and several countries, the effectiveness and long-term acceptance of fast-track permissions and go-to areas remains to be seen. Environmental impacts on wildlife and recycling challenges are rising issues for which tested and scalable solutions are often still lacking, pointing to large remaining research requirements.

Publication status

published

Editor

Book title

Journal / series

Volume

9 (1)

Pages / Article No.

101799

Publisher

Cell Press

Event

Edition / version

Methods

Software

Geographic location

Date collected

Date created

Subject

wind energy; wind power; system impacts; research priorities; barriers; challenges; opportunities; comprehensive review

Organisational unit

09752 - McKenna, Russell / McKenna, Russell check_circle

Notes

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