Wind Energy in Switzerland

Transcription

1 Wind Energy in Switzerland Particular challenges with nature conservation Peter Suter, Head of Renewables CKW

2 CKW Group Service area: Central Switzerland page 2

3 Fully integrated utility page 3

4 Wind conditions in Europe and Switzerland Top areas located on the northern coasts of Europe Source: European Wind Atlas, 1989 and Windenergie Daten, 2009 page 4

5 Wind capacity Worldwide Development Source: page 5

6 Wind capacity Switzerland 34 larger turbines, 60 MW, 100 GWh/year page 6

7 CKW Projekt Lutersarni, Central Switzerland page 7

8 Construction started in June 2013 Commissioning and operation in September 2013 More information and a film can be found on page 8

9 Points to consider during project development Critical factors for success Wind conditions (m/s av./year) Location accesible for heavy trucks and long vehicles Medium voltage grid nearby Minimal distance to buildings Minimal distance to forests No environmental protection zone Local support for the project page 9

10 Unesco Biosphere Entlebuch The UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch represents the pre-alpine moor and karst landscapes in the worldwide network of biospheres. Switzerland's largest and most numerous moor landscapes are to be found within a 400 square km area that has a flora and fauna of national and international importance. page 10

11 Is Windenergy acceptable in a Biosphere? Core zone Buffer/Transition zone Protection Development Population Jobs Energy Local Renewable Energy Independence Windenergy is an accepted option page 11

12 Environmental aspects during autorisation Process Environmental and conservation organisations have the right to enter an objection to any building project in Switzerland Swiss Foundation for Landscape Conservation plays its role as an advocate for landscape very strongly Project developers tend to start discussions with the organisations at a very early project stage The aim is to find acceptable compromises and to avoid legal cases page 12

13 Steps in Lutersarni project Prestudies indicated, that bird and bat activities are limited at that location Based on a national agreement between the windenergy industry and bat protection organisation, an operation process has been agreed, which limitates operation of the windmill during sensitive preriods Re-establishment of road and logistic space (greening) after completion Authorities imposed final conditions in there approval Good cooperation between investor, authorities and environmental organisations Optionen Photovoltaik CKW

14 Wildlife Limitation of operating time Stop turbine when bats are active Temperature, wind speed Season, day/night, rainfall Compensation Extension of wildlife habitat Stop turbine when migratory birds arriving at windpark location page 14

15 Economics Equivalent of 12.5% of asset value invested in environment Loss of power production: Extension wildlife habitat: 20 kchf/year 5 kchf/year Total cost over 25 years: 625 kchf Total investment in wind mill 5 Mio. CHF 12.5 % page 15

16 Pros and cons of wind energy Pros Limited impact on plants and soil No transports during operation Production peak in winter Modest /Reasonable production costs compared to other renewables Cons Change of unique scenery Wildlife can be an issue People may be affected by the mill Shadow casting, noise, landscape page 16

17 Summary Wind energy is a highly important electricity resource Technology is competitive in appropriate locations Energy conversion efficiency still growing Limited harm to the environment Minimal space needed To be adressed in project developpment is the impact on People (noise, landscape) Wildlife (birds, bats) page 17

18 Thank you for your attention page 18