Wind Energy Operations: Resource Requirements and Impact Sources
Turbine maintenance Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
Turbine maintenance Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
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No land-disturbing activities and associated impacts are anticipated during the wind energy project operation phase.
No land-disturbing activities and associated impacts are anticipated during the operation phase. Routine operations include wind-driven operation of the turbines to produce power, and regular monitoring and maintenance activities to ensure safe and consistent operation. Most monitoring would be done remotely, but maintenance crews would be present during regular shifts.
The following factors could give rise to environmental impacts:
Acreage — Disturbed land footprints during operation would account for 3 to 10% of the total area encompassed by the wind farm. The remaining land area could be made generally available to a wide variety of activities, provided the activity itself did not jeopardize the operation or performance of the wind farm.
Emissions — Emissions would include pollutants from the operation of vehicles and the periodic operation of diesel-fueled emergency generators for preventive maintenance purposes; fugitive dust from vehicle travel on unpaved roads or wind erosion from gravel surfaces; and minor release of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) from on-site storage of diesel fuel, and various maintenance and cleaning operations.
Waste Generation — Wastes generated would include small amounts of gear oil and lubricating oils; transmission and glycol-based coolants and lubricants; and paints or coatings for corrosion control.
Water Needs — Small amounts of water would be needed for routine cleaning and periodic replacement of glycol-based coolants; potable water will be required for inspection and maintenance workforce. Water for both industrial applications and consumption would likely be brought to the site.
Workforce — Operations would be monitored and controlled remotely. A small maintenance crew of fewer than 20 individuals would be on site during one 8-hour shift per day.
Utility and Emergency Power Requirements — Although the primary purpose of wind farms is to deliver power to a distribution or transmission grid, they must also draw power from the grid to function. To ensure safe shutdown of all systems in the event of grid connection interruption, and to ensure the continued operation of safety-related devices such as aviation safety lights, wind farms are equipped with emergency AC power generation, typically in the form of a diesel-fueled emergency generator, and emergency DC power in the form of lead-acid storage batteries.
