Article
Energy & Fuels
Enrico G. A. Antonini, Ken Caldeira
Summary: This study examines the relationship between the power density of large-scale wind farms and atmospheric pressure gradients and latitude-dependent Coriolis parameters through numerical simulations and analytic expressions. The results suggest that higher pressure gradients and lower Coriolis parameters lead to higher energy availability and, consequently, higher potential power density.
Article
Thermodynamics
Christopher Jung, Dirk Schindler
Summary: The study aimed to create a globally applicable wind farm potential index to identify productive and accessible wind farm sites around the world. The index was developed using high resolution wind speed models and comprehensive land use data, integrating 16 geographical restrictions including access to power grids.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Trevor Barnes, Abhishek Shivakumar, Maarten Brinkerink, Taco Niet
Summary: This paper introduces OSeMOSYS Global, an open-source generator for global electricity system models that supports the global modeling community. Compared to other global models, OSeMOSYS Global offers more flexibility to users in determining the time slice structure and geographic scope of the model, utilizing the widely used open-source OSeMOSYS energy system model.
Article
Thermodynamics
Christopher Jung, Dirk Schindler
Summary: The progress of onshore wind expansion varies globally and cannot be concluded solely based on installed capacity and capacity factor. This study quantifies and compares the effectiveness and efficiency of wind potential use for the top 40 countries in installed capacity. The results show that China, Brazil, and Italy use their wind potential more efficiently, while the USA and India consider wind resource efficiency adequately. Germany has the highest effectiveness despite low efficiency. This highlights the importance of evaluating wind energy expansion based on effectiveness and efficiency rather than just installed capacity and capacity factor.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Chris G. West, Ronald B. Smith
Summary: This study analyzed the characteristics of wind speed variability over 40 years, showing different Weibull parameters for different frequency bands and variations in storm intervals and intensity in different regions. Winds are more stable in the equatorial region with lower storm variance, potentially achieving a higher capacity factor.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Christopher Jung, Dirk Schindler
Summary: The goal of this study is to quantify the meteorological, geographical, and technical properties of the current global offshore wind turbine fleet. The factors studied show high regional variability, with European wind turbine sites providing higher wind resources compared to Asian sites, where turbines operate in shallower water closer to the shores. These findings suggest that wind potential and siting criteria for wind turbines differ depending on the country.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Bo Kong, Kevin P. Gallagher
Summary: This study reveals that China has allocated a small portion of its official development finance (ODF) to solar and wind power worldwide due to limited external demand and risk sensitivities and biases against renewable power projects abroad by the country's policy banks.
ENERGY RESEARCH & SOCIAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Matias Alday, Mickael Accensi, Fabrice Ardhuin, Guillaume Dodet
Summary: The numerical wave model has been significantly improved through updating forcing fields, adjusting spectral discretization, and tuning wind wave growth and swell dissipation parameters. The model calibration and performance analysis show higher accuracy compared to previous versions, especially in strong current regions and for wave heights above 7m. Use of satellite altimeter data and buoy data for validation enhances the accuracy and reliability of the model predictions.
Article
Thermodynamics
Katharina Gruber, Peter Regner, Sebastian Wehrle, Marianne Zeyringer, Johannes Schmidt
Summary: Reanalysis data, including MERRA-2 and ERA5, were used to simulate wind power generation. ERA5 outperforms MERRA-2 in terms of error measures, while bias-correction with GWA2 did not substantially improve simulation quality. Temporal aggregation increases correlations and reduces errors, while spatial aggregation only consistently improves simulation quality with very fine and very coarse granularities.
Article
Thermodynamics
Fa Liu, Xunming Wang, Fubao Sun, Axel Kleidon
Summary: The decline in global surface wind speed may have potential impact on wind energy production in China, resulting in decreased wind power density and electricity generation.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Christopher Jung, Dirk Schindler
Summary: Previous estimations of global onshore wind energy potential have shown a wide range of values. This study compares estimates from different wind speed data resolutions and hub heights, and highlights the importance of spatial resolution for wind resource assessment at local and global scales.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yanan Zhao, Shijing Liang, Yi Liu, Tim R. McVicar, Cesar Azorin-Molina, Lihong Zhou, Robert J. H. Dunn, Sonia Jerez, Yingzuo Qin, Xinrong Yang, Jiayu Xu, Zhenzhong Zeng
Summary: Wind energy, an important component of clean energy, is influenced by the disposable wind speed within the working range of wind turbines. Recent studies have shown a reversal in global surface wind speed since 2011, but the evolution of effective wind speed for wind turbines has received little attention. This study uses in-situ observations to analyze wind speed frequency variations and their contributions to average wind speed changes over the past four decades. The findings indicate that strong wind speed has weakened the average wind speed during the stilling period (1981-2010), while slight wind and strengthened strong wind have contributed to the trend change in wind speed during the reversal period (2011-2021). These frequency changes have resulted in a reduction in wind power energy from 1981 to 2010 and a relatively weak recovery during 2011-2021.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
John Paul Helveston, Gang He, Michael R. Davidson
Summary: A globalized solar PV module supply chain has saved costs for the United States, Germany, and China, resulting in billions of dollars in savings. However, if a localized supply chain is implemented in the future, solar module prices may increase by 20-25% in 2030. Complementary policies are needed to address welfare distribution effects and potential technological crowding out.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mahmoud A. Alamir, Kristy L. Hansen, Peter Catcheside
Summary: Expansion of wind energy facilities has raised concerns about noise complaints, with current allowable limits and penalties differing between countries. Guidelines vary significantly in their treatment of wind farm noise characteristics and penalties, highlighting the need for future research and improvement.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Richard Green, Iain Staffell
Summary: Great Britain achieved a significant reduction in carbon emissions from electricity generation through a combination of policies and events, emphasizing the importance of a diverse and holistic approach to deep decarbonization.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Abraham Lauer, Jesse Devaney, Chanh Kieu, Ben Kravitz, Travis A. A. O'Brien, Scott M. M. Robeson, Paul W. W. Staten, The Anh Vu
Summary: Climate change has global and regional impacts, but determining local effects is challenging with coarse-resolution climate studies. Dynamical downscaling using the WRF model provides local-scale climate projections. A new downscaled dataset for Indiana and surrounding regions is presented, with bias correction and focus on air temperature and precipitation. This high-resolution dataset can be used for applications like urban planning, energy usage, and agriculture.
GEOSCIENCE DATA JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rafael J. P. Schmitt, Edgar Virguez, Sara Ashfaq, Ken Caldeira
Summary: The 2022 Indus floods in Pakistan highlight the need to adapt to more frequent and severe natural disasters in a warming world. By using high-resolution assessment of flood stages and demographic data, this study identifies adaptation opportunities and costs for the Indus floodplains. Rebuilding houses in flood-proof, elevated manner or temporary relocation can protect a certain percentage of people affected, but implementing these measures will come with substantial costs.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ken Caldeira, Lei Duan, Juan Moreno-Cruz
Summary: This study proposes a framework to quantify the contribution of reducing the Green Premium to carbon emissions reduction and introduces a new assessment model for cost-saving innovation. The results show that reducing the Green Premium can lead to various positive impacts, including enhanced carbon abatement, lower abatement costs, less climate damage, and increased net-present-value of consumption. Furthermore, the value of Green Premium reductions and carbon dioxide removal is greater under more stringent mitigation targets.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Walker R. R. Lee, Daniele Visioni, Ewa M. M. Bednarz, Douglas G. G. MacMartin, Ben Kravitz, Simone Tilmes
Summary: In this study, two simulations of stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) at different altitudes were compared. It was found that lower-altitude SAI requires 64% more injection to achieve the same cooling effect. SAI at higher altitudes cools the surface more efficiently due to longer lifetimes of SO2 and SO4 and the water vapor feedback mechanism.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Davide Tonelli, Lorenzo Rosa, Paolo Gabrielli, Ken Caldeira, Alessandro Parente, Francesco Contino
Summary: Proposals for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 include scaling-up electrolytic hydrogen production. However, there are technical, economic, and environmental challenges to overcome. This study analyzes the land and water availability compared to the hydrogen demand in 2050, identifying countries that may face limitations in achieving self-sufficiency in hydrogen supply and countries that have the potential to become hydrogen exporters.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
D. Visioni, E. M. Bednarz, D. G. Macmartin, B. Kravitz, P. B. Goddard
Summary: The specifics of simulated injection choices in stratospheric aerosol injections (SAI) are crucial for understanding the impacts of SAI on the planet. Different amounts of cooling can be achieved through SAI simulations, and the choice of baseline period is important for comparing these responses. This study explores the relationship between cooling achieved and various surface impacts, and highlights the significance of the baseline period in policy discussions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Douglas G. Macmartin, Ben Kravitz, Paul B. Goddard
Summary: Regional geoengineering is a means to target specific regional impacts of climate change by reflecting sunlight over a limited spatial domain. Concerns have been raised about the detectable effects of such approaches beyond the targeted region. A few studies have found that when applied to relatively small domains, these approaches only have limited effects on adjacent regions, suggesting the need for distinct governance compared to global sunlight reflection.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Daniele Visioni, Ben Kravitz, Alan Robock, Simone Tilmes, Jim Haywood, Olivier Boucher, Mark Lawrence, Peter Irvine, Ulrike Niemeier, Lili Xia, Gabriel Chiodo, Chris Lennard, Shingo Watanabe, John C. Moore, Helene Muri
Summary: The Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project (GeoMIP) is a coordinating framework that aims to understand the physical processes and impacts of solar geoengineering. It has conducted numerous experiments and published over 100 studies. This critical assessment discusses its successes, missed opportunities, contributions to geoengineering research and climate science, and provides recommendations for future experiments and activities.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ewa M. Bednarz, Daniele Visioni, Ben Kravitz, Andy Jones, James M. Haywood, Jadwiga Richter, Douglas G. MacMartin, Peter Braesicke
Summary: This paper presents a comparison of three state-of-the-art Earth system models to study the atmospheric responses to stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) at various latitudes in the tropics. The study reveals the role of biases in circulation and model microphysics in driving the differences in simulated sulfate distributions. The results contribute to understanding the physical mechanisms and reducing uncertainty in model projections of climate impacts from SAI.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniele Visioni, Ewa M. Bednarz, Walker R. Lee, Ben Kravitz, Andy Jones, Jim M. Haywood, Douglas G. MacMartin
Summary: This study presents the results of a systematic intercomparison of climate responses in three Earth system models regarding the injection of SO2 in the lower stratosphere. The goal is to determine commonalities and differences in the distribution of sulfate aerosols and surface response to reduction in solar radiation. The study highlights the potential for designing comprehensive intervention strategies using these simulations.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Ewa M. Bednarz, Daniele Visioni, Amy H. Butler, Ben Kravitz, Douglas G. Macmartin, Simone Tilmes
Summary: Impacts of Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) depend on how much surface cooling is to be achieved. High latitude circulation, ozone and modes of extratropical variability can vary non-linearly with the SAI-induced global surface cooling. These potential non-linearities may add to uncertainties in projections of regional surface impacts under SAI.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
P. B. Goddard, B. Kravitz, D. G. MacMartin, D. Visioni, E. M. Bednarz, W. R. Lee
Summary: The Antarctic ice sheet is at risk of rapid ice loss due to greenhouse gas emissions. This study examines the effectiveness of stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) in slowing down Antarctic ice loss. The results show that injecting aerosols in the southern hemisphere between 30 degrees S and 30 degrees N can effectively slow down 21st century Antarctic ice loss. The study highlights the importance of considering different SAI strategies to mitigate future ice loss.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-ATMOSPHERES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Ben Kravitz, Tina Sikka
Summary: This article proposes a feminist science-based framework for solar geoengineering research, aiming to enhance inclusivity and identify potential biases. By retrospectively applying this framework to a study, transparency is improved and recommendations are made for more inclusive research.
ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING E-NATURE AND SPACE
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Kathleen M. Kennedy, Tyler H. Ruggles, Katherine Rinaldi, Jacqueline A. Dowling, Lei Duan, Ken Caldeira, Nathan S. Lewis
Summary: Policies in the US are calling for the use of variable renewable energy sources that can reliably meet electricity demand despite fluctuations. However, the role of concentrated solar power (CSP) and thermal energy storage (TES) in comparison to photovoltaics (PV) and batteries in a highly reliable, 100% renewable system has not been clearly evaluated. This study finds that CSP and PV do not directly compete, but TES competes with short-duration battery storage. The coupled CSP+TES system can provide reliability in the absence of other grid flexibility mechanisms, and its adoption is primarily limited by high CSP generation costs.
ADVANCES IN APPLIED ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andy Jones, Jim M. Haywood, Adam A. Scaife, Olivier Boucher, Matthew Henry, Ben Kravitz, Thibaut Lurton, Pierre Nabat, Ulrike Niemeier, Roland Seferian, Simone Tilmes, Daniele Visioni
Summary: This study compared the results of a numerical experiment called G6sulfur, which used geoengineering technique to reduce temperatures, with the impacts on natural variability modes. The experiment showed that while the technique successfully decreased global mean temperature, it also exacerbated the positive phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation and caused precipitation reductions in southern Europe. The impact on the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation was less consistent, but there is a risk of it stalling and causing permanent westerly winds in the lower stratosphere.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2022)