Emissions Reduction

One of the problems associated with the generation of power from fossil fuels is their contribution to carbon emissions and climate change. Power generation from renewable resources, on the other hand, is much cleaner and has little or no emission directly related to electricity production. Most of the pollutants such as CO2, SOX, NOX, particulates, etc, associated with the use of fossil fuels can be largely avoided when power is generated from renewables. Over 99.9% of the carbon emissions associated with wind-hydrogen systems in incurred in the energy-intensive processes of manufacture and transportation of various components to the site of the power plant, and construction [1]. The energy required is usually sourced from fossil fuels and the initial carbon emissions payback period is estimated to be about 6 months of operation of a wind-hydrogen plant [1,2]. Production of electricity from wind significantly reduces fossil fuel consumption and studies have shown that the realisable carbon emissions savings ranges between 0.35 and 0.85 tonnes per MWh of electricity produced [1].

References:

[1] http://www.eirgrid.com/EirGridPortal/uploads/Publications/Wind%20Impact%20Study%20%20main%20report.pdf

[2] http://www.bwea.com/pdf/ref_three.pdf