Defense Date

6-22-2023

Graduation Date

Summer 8-5-2023

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

thesis

Degree Name

MS

Department

Environmental Science and Management (ESM)

Committee Chair

David M Kahler

Committee Member

Michael Huster

Committee Member

Robert Sroufe

Keywords

wind, wind turbine, life cycle assessment, sustainability, renewable energy, energy, environment, air quality

Abstract

Fossil fuels generate the majority of the electricity in the United States and generate pollutants that negatively affect public and environmental health. Renewable energy projects serve as an opportunity for low-pollution and low-carbon electricity; small-scale projects, such as vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs), provide opportunities for generation in urban areas close to consumers. Researchers collected wind speed and directional data from a potential turbine installation site at Duquesne University to better demonstrate the potential benefits in an urban university location. The data was used in a life cycle assessment framework and a social review to better understand the value of electricity produced by a small-scale VAWT as compared to that produced by natural gas. Results showed that energy produced by the VAWT using the Mellon Hall wind resources created fewer pollutants than that of the natural gas plant.

Language

English

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