WT project in Belgium

Relevance

The energy we can get from fossil fuels is finite. We are depleting our earth and the substances we burn are not coming back. Moreover, burning fossil fuels damages the environment. If we want to stop the exhaustion of our planet and avoid further pollution, the way forward is to use natural and inexhaustible energy sources such as wind, sun and the warmth of the earth. In terms of CO2 emissions, wind energy is by far one of the most interesting renewable energy sources.

The importance of renewable energy cannot be underestimated given the last energy crisis. Local production of renewable energy, such as wind power, reduces dependence on foreign energy and is an important link in absorbing highly fluctuating energy prices. Moreover, this will enable companies in Flanders remaining competitive against their competitors in foreign countries.

From a company, lender & investor point of view, these are 10 important reasons to choose wind energy to improve their sustainability:

• Wind energy technology is simple and robust

• Wind energy is renewable (infinite)

• Wind energy is complementarity with other (renewable energy) sources

• Wind energy is an important building block in the current energy transition: highest energy production in winter

• Wind energy generated electricity is emission free and sustainable: low LCA, no CO2 or harmful by-products produced, almost fully recyclable, production partly in Europe by European companies

• Wind energy contributes to European, national & regional renewable electricity targets

• Wind energy technology has a long history, making it a proven, mature & reliable technology

• Wind energy is a cheap technology: low LCOE as a result of operating automatically, limited maintenance costs, no degradation and no replacements of parts required within lifespan of at least 20 years, no fuel required, no waste production

• Local production Independent/decreased import of foreign energy & stable market electricity price

• Constant improvement – increasing efficiency

Abstract

Wind energy is an important link for many companies, lenders and investors to make their operations more sustainable and thus also secure their future.

Via a real case study of a wind turbine project on an industrial site in Flanders, students will get an overview of the most important and interesting aspects involved in the development and operation of a wind turbine project.

The case study starts from the initial screening of the site in 2011 and describes the process up to and including the construction of the wind turbine 10 years later. Using photo and video material, the construction phase is explained.

Students will get insights into key aspects during exploitation, such as system performance & maintenance. The building block concludes with the environmental impact of the project.

The case study is a practical example of the various aspects that will be explained in detail in the other building blocks.