Sustainability refers to a broader perspective which is meant to capture the interdependent and integrative nature of environmental, social and financial features or impacts of a specific invention of object used in the current scenario and similar context (Gallo and Christensen 2011). This study entails the analysis of one of the recent innovation’s sustainability and development based on the area it is used to offer its services. In this study, Wind turbines which are used to support the generation of wind energy is being assessed on its sustainable development. According to Energy Matters (2018), wind turbines are used to convert wind energy into electricity which can be supplied to homes, cities, and industries for powering different processes. Moreover, the generation of wind power is a more advantageous application which involves the creation of clean energy that users and stakeholders can use in the long-term without any effect on the ecosystem. This means that animals and all creatures are not affected by results implementing wind turbines on the airspace. Besides, wind turbines are said to create a cost-effective, reliable and energy which is pollution free (Energy Matters 2018). Hence with this features in mind, wind turbines prove to be effective in enhancing the economy through the production of free and affordable supplementary energy, the society does not only benefit from the cheap energy but also a clean environment with no impacts of climate change which has a significant impact on the environmental sustainability. Different researchers and innovators have been investigating the production of renewable and non-polluting power which does not release any toxic waste and greenhouse gases and this is an effective solution that utilizes only natural resources to combat the current challenges facing the world.
Description of the scope of the product or process
Overview of the scope of the wind turbines
Wind turbines are mainly used in the wind energy production field. As evidenced by the name selection, the designers and modellers of the turbines primarily made it serve this main purpose. This means that wind turbines are not applicable in any other context that does not involve wind since they are dependent on wind to perform their role.
Its main design features
According to Energy Matters (2018), wind turbines contain three major propellers designed in the form similar to blade known as a rotor. The tall tower is used to support the propellers where they are attached and raised higher from the ground (approximately 20 m high). The primary reason for raising it higher from the ground is due to considerations of the factors of reducing buffering effect (Liang and Zhuang 2014) and winds are considered to be stronger in higher levels. Moreover, wind turbines are connected to some electric network since it creates electricity which can be transmitted through cables and other unique resources supporting electric power transmissions (Manwell, McGowan and Rogers 2010). Also, machine control systems, the balance of the electrical system, drive trains are major features for wind turbines.
Its market situation
According to the analysis of the economic viability of wind turbines and wind energy production, it is reported that there is significant reduction of electric costs and reduction and more electric energy production than expected (Simic, Havelka, and Vrhovcak 2013) thus motivating more countries and shareholders to purchase and invest more on the wind turbines. However, the market demands vary according to the regional requirements.
Sustainability development concerns of wind turbines
According to Liang and Zhuang (2014), developers and designers of wind turbines still face the technical difficulties of planning, control, and operation of microgrids of the energy generated by wind turbines due to renewable power generation randomness, high mobility rates of plug-in electric vehicles and the energy storage issues associated with the buffering effect. Hameed et al. (2010) reported that wind turbines are designed to be a highly efficient and reliable power system for village power markets in cold villages’ weather conditions, and remote use. Moreover, designers aim to develop the wind turbines to provide more robust energy sources in bases of research that have been neglected or isolated such as the continent of Antarctic.
Framing of the product or system in a sustainable development context
Current attitude of ‘Consumer/users’
According to the study of Ellis and Ferraro (2016) on wind energy acceptance in social and community backgrounds, it was noted that there are numerous factors which shape the acceptance and attitude of the consumers. These factors include; perception in the cost and benefits of distribution, the impact of the projects on the landscape perceptions, biodiversity, healthy and property values. Therefore, this is limiting the purchase and installation of more wind turbines to generate wind energy. However, Tatchley et al. (2016) suggest that some participants support the installation of small wind turbines due to the influence of climate change concerns.
Current attitude of ‘Retailers’
Due to the hindrances caused by the local communities on their perception about wind turbines installations and building of wind energy control zones, retailers fear losses associated with this effect. Moreover, even the few zones which have been established are few in number and they are isolated to high altitude areas hence the buyers mostly purchase from the manufacturers direct which might be a potential risk to incurring more loses.
Current attitude of ‘Manufacturers’
Firstly, wind turbines are continuing to be produced due to the increasing demands of countries aiming at reducing the cost of electricity production through renewable energy sources. On the other hand, Newman (2018) wind turbine manufacturers are finding every innovative technique of improving the wind turbines potential and purposes such as in the offshore environments where most are relocating more effective, navigable ports or waterways. Manufacturers include SPMTs (self-propelled modular trailers), longer blade trailers and roll-on/roll-off vessels which are innovative solutions to improve the transfer and transportation of equipment and components faster and easier. Across the world, 870, 000 small wind turbines have been installed (Tatchley et al. 2016).
Current attitude of ‘Pressure Groups’
Pressure groups mostly are the environment conservation organizations and climate change, regulators. The environment conservation institutions sometimes are biased in terms of the judgment of wind turbines innovation and installation associated with noise pollution (Knopper and Ollson 2011). According to Tatchley et al. (2016), most of the newspapers released on wind turbines sustainability had a significant impact on the acceptance and perception of wind turbines innovation. Those individuals who read more on articles and the newspaper are reported to support the innovation.
Current attitude of ‘Government/Regulators’
Most of the advanced countries in the field of wind energy production including the US and the UK are greatly optimistic about the importance of building more wind turbines for the production of renewable wind energy. For instance, since 2012, the cost of wind energy in Britain has fallen by a third and the new capacity of energy in the US, 40% is accounted by wind energy production which represents an annual investment savings of $13 billion (Harris 2017). Hence, more governments adopting wind energy have a positive attitude towards and the future promise of producing a safer and affordable energy. Additionally, government regulators such as that of the US are implementing initiatives which motivate consumers through discounts and tax credits to allow installation of renewable energy systems (Ntanos et al. 2018).
Current attitude of any other relevant parties
Other parties include healthcare organizations. According to Knopper and Ollson (2011), there has been a continuous debate about the relationship between wind turbines and health effects particularly on the basis of inaudible and audible noise. These issues are raising setbacks on the establishment of more wind turbines.
Process flow diagram of life cycle (Cradle to grave)
Figure 1: Process flow diagram: The installation sites for wind turbines are identified and the turbines installed. They are raised higher with tall towers which converts wind energy to electricity. The low voltage generated is stepped up by a transformer, then transmitted to the control substation and later power is transmitted to the consumers.
Table 1: Matrix of life cycle stages and sustainable development impacts
Complete
Sustainability development impacts
Life cycle
Depletion of resources
Cost
Energy usage
Waste
Carbon emission
Planning
No resources depleted
The cost of purchase of wind turbines and installation features
Uses natural wind energy
No waste
No carbon emission
Conversion
No resources depleted
No costs incurred
No energy used, natural wind only
No waste released unless the turbines break
No carbon emission
Transformer step up
No resources depleted
Costs are reduced significantly due to minimal requirements of energy to support transformers
Minimal energy consumed
Reduced waste
Little to no emissions
Control
Finance for control tools
Significantly higher amounts
Manageable energy
Controlled waste
No emission
Transmission
Finance for all tools of transmitting power
Significantly higher amounts
Controlled energy usage
No waste
No emissions
5 – Major effect
0 – no effect
Table 2: Soring Matrix of sustainable development impacts
Complete
Sustainability development impacts
Life cycle
Depletion of resources
Cost
Energy usage
Waste
Carbon emission
Planning
No resources depleted
Score (0)
The cost of purchase of wind turbines and installation features Score (2)
Uses natural wind energy
Score (0)
No waste
Score (0)
No carbon emission
Score (0)
Conversion
No resources depleted
Score (0)
No costs incurred
Score (0)
No energy used, natural wind only
Score (0)
No waste released unless the turbines break
Score (0)
No carbon emission
Score (0)
Transformer step up
No resources depleted
Score (0)
Costs are reduced significantly due to minimal requirements of energy to support transformers
Score (3)
Minimal energy consumed
Score (2)
Reduced waste
Score (1)
Little to no emissions
Score (1)
Control
Finance for control tools
Score (3)
Significantly higher amounts
Score (5)
Manageable energy
Score (3)
Controlled waste
Score (2)
No emission
Score (0)
Transmission
Finance for all tools of transmitting power
Score (4)
Significantly higher amounts
Score (5)
Controlled energy usage
Score (2)
No waste
Score (0)
No emissions
Score (0)
Design opportunities
Design opportunity A:
Make wind turbines less noise: Since multiple pressure groups and other health, stakeholders are concerned with the health impacts of noise caused by turbines. The noise generated could be significantly reduced using the turbulent boundary layers on their trailing edges. Additionally, implement serration approach which can improve the viability of the product and its uncertainties associated with design. According to Mathew et al. (2016) serration is the most currently used approach for reducing the aeroacoustic noise generated by the wind turbines. Moreover, the methodology has been evolving for a longer period in improving structural reliability and performance with the potential of reducing the excess noise by 1.5 dB (Mathew et al. 2016; León et al. 2016).
Design Opportunity B:
Make the wind turbines smaller: The wind turbines which are used to convert wind energy to electric power can be shortened to manageable yet effective size to reduce the noise pollution effects. The longer the turbines, the more the noise generated since the turbines continuously knock the moving wind at high speed which results in the generation of more pronounced noise. This requires experts to measure the accurate values to which level they can be cut while maintaining electric power generation. If this proves ineffective, the turbines could be reduced slightly from the current state and raised into a higher ground in isolated locations (refer table 3 for rating).
Design opportunity C:
Combine specific technologies supporting offshore turbine application efficiency: According to Daim et al. (2011), the design can be improved with technologies such as an increase in blade count, drive train (gearbox and direct drive), and blade materials such as fiberglass or carbon, and Tripod foundations. These technologies have the potential of increasing the efficiency and robustness while minimizing costs and environmental impacts. Moreover, if any technology proves to be expensive or have serious negative effects on the environment, they can be substituted with others especially the blade carbon material. Schaumann and Böker (2005) suggested that using Tripod foundations can limit the wind towers deflections.
Table 3: Design opportunity rating matrix
Preferred benefits
Choice levels
Low
Medium
High
High
A
Medium
B
Low
C
Summary/Conclusion
Sustainability is a major concern in most of the innovations especially those designed to directly interact with the environment. Wind turbines are one of the most efficient and effective innovations that have the potential of improving economic, social and environmental concerns thus helping achieve effective sustainability. Primarily, wind turbines were designed to help in the generation of renewable energy using through the conversion of natural wind energy to electric power. The energy generated has no effects of carbon emissions, depletion of resources or significant energy costs. Moreover, the current market situation indicates great improvements in the purchase of more wind turbines since some countries and regulators are recommending the use of wind energy as a source of supplementing other sources which have a direct impact on the environment. This study identified three design opportunities including the reduction in the size of the turbines, use of reliable technologies and noise reduction through serration thus they can be adopted to improve the future sustainability of wind turbines.
References
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