Environmental significance of harvesting wind power on the Alleghenies

Author

Soysal, Oguz A. ; Soysal, Hilkat S.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Phys. & Eng., Frostburg State Univ., MD

fYear

2004

fDate

10-10 June 2004

Firstpage

1906

Abstract

The paper discusses the environmental and social significance of wind powered electric generation on the Allegheny Mountains. The existing power generation capacity in four states surrounding the region is first described and statistical data is given to show the history of fuel mix and emissions. Environmental effects of the existing power generation facilities are discussed in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. The wind potential available in the region is described. Recent developments and planned wind power projects are presented with a discussion of their environmental impacts. The current policies and initiatives applicable to wind power in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia are compared and suggestions are made to promote the use of wind energy potential in the region

Keywords

air pollution; environmental factors; fuel; thermal power stations; wind power plants; Allegheny mountains; Maryland; Pennsylvania; West Virginia; environmental factors; fuel emissions; fuel mix; greenhouse gas emissions; power generation capacity; statistical data; wind power generation; Fossil fuels; Global warming; Hydroelectric power generation; Nuclear power generation; Potential energy; Power generation; Wind energy; Wind energy generation; Wind farms; Wind power generation;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Power Engineering Society General Meeting, 2004. IEEE

Conference_Location

Denver, CO

Print_ISBN

0-7803-8465-2

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/PES.2004.1373210

Filename

1373210