scholarly journals On the spatial differentiation of energy transitions: Exploring determinants of uneven wind energy developments in the Czech Republic

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bohumil Frantál ◽  
Eva Nováková
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
National Level ◽  
Spatial Differentiation ◽  
Wind Farms ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Mining Areas ◽  
Wind Potential ◽  
Local Acceptance

Abstract Wind energy research is dominated by studies of local acceptance (or not) of wind farms and comparative studies at a national level. Research on the spatial differentiation of wind energy developments at the regional level is still insufficient, however. This study provides new empirical evidence for the extent to which regional differences in the deployment of wind energy are related to specific environmental and socioeconomic factors, by a statistical analysis of data for districts in the Czech Republic. Unlike previous studies, we found that the installed capacity of wind energy cannot be well predicted by wind potential, land area and population density in an area. In the Czech Republic, wind farms more likely have been implemented in more urbanised, environmentally deprived coal-mining areas that are affected by economic depression. It seems that in environmentally deprived areas, wind energy is more positively accepted as an alternative source to coal, and the economic motivation (financial benefits for municipalities) can have a greater effect on local acceptance, while public opposition is less efficient due to lower social capital and involvement in political matters. Based on these results, some implications for the planning and spatial targeting of new wind farms are discussed.

scholarly journals Offshore Wind Energy Resource Assessment across the Territory of Oman: A Spatial-Temporal Data Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 2862
Author(s):  
Amer Al-Hinai ◽  
Yassine Charabi ◽  
Seyed H. Aghay Kaboli
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Wind Farms ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Wind Data ◽  
Offshore Wind Energy ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Wind Potential

Despite the long shoreline of Oman, the wind energy industry is still confined to onshore due to the lack of knowledge about offshore wind potential. A spatial-temporal wind data analysis is performed in this research to find the locations in Oman’s territorial seas with the highest potential for offshore wind energy. Thus, wind data are statistically analyzed for assessing wind characteristics. Statistical analysis of wind data include the wind power density, and Weibull scale and shape factors. In addition, there is an estimation of the possible energy production and capacity factor by three commercial offshore wind turbines suitable for 80 up to a 110 m hub height. The findings show that offshore wind turbines can produce at least 1.34 times more energy than land-based and nearshore wind turbines. Additionally, offshore wind turbines generate more power in the Omani peak electricity demand during the summer. Thus, offshore wind turbines have great advantages over land-based wind turbines in Oman. Overall, this work provides guidance on the deployment and production of offshore wind energy in Oman. A thorough study using bankable wind data along with various logistical considerations would still be required to turn offshore wind potential into real wind farms in Oman.

scholarly journals Spatial differentiation of ecosystem risks of soil pollution in floodplain areas of the Czech Republic

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (No. 1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Skála ◽  
R. Vácha ◽  
J. Hofman ◽  
V. Horváthová ◽  
M. Sáňka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Spatial Differentiation ◽  
Flood Frequency ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Local Pollution ◽  
Floodplain Soils ◽  
History Of ◽  
High Flood

Extensive soil sampling and screening assessment of ecosystem risks combined with a multidimensional statistical analysis were used to estimate and spatially characterize the ecosystem risks stemming from the contamination of floodplain soils in the Czech Republic. We proved structural differences in regional pollution patterns where different regional/local pollution sources led to various nature and extent of the environmental load of floodplain soils. The established spatial patterns helped reveal the areas where soils do not meet soil quality standards and where the ecosystem risks were elevated. Furthermore, the results allowed to establish priority contaminants of flood affected areas in various catchments in the Czech Republic. Combining both the magnitudes of estimated ecosystem risks and structural characteristics of pollution profiles, the highest estimated risks showed the localities with high contents of organochlorine pesticides, several samples connected to geochemical anomalies of metallogenic zones (deposits), and localities with a long history of industrial load. Since extreme weather events have recently become more frequent, our results highlight the importance of a continual monitoring of pollutant turnover in floodplain soils with a high flood frequency.

scholarly journals Impact of key factors on expected development of onshore wind energy sector in Poland and development scenarios

2018 ◽  
Vol 70 ◽  
pp. 01017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Izabela Wielewska ◽  
Karol Tucki ◽  
Anna Bączyk ◽  
Magda Trzaska
Keyword(s):  
Wind Energy ◽  
Wind Power ◽  
National Level ◽  
Wind Farms ◽  
Power Market ◽  
Energy Sector ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Onshore Wind ◽  
Development Scenarios ◽  
Current State

The aim of the paper was to analyse the wind power market in Poland by reviewing the factors that shape and influence its current state and the possible development prospects. The paper was focused on legislative, environmental, manufacturing, sociocultural and economic factors. Barriers to the development of onshore wind power market and the expected development of wind energy in Poland in the years 2017-2020 were identified and measured based on a survey. The review of individual factors and the study performed present that legislative barriers and the introduction of the ‘distance act’ are factors with the biggest influence on the current stagnation of onshore wind energy sector. A review of the recommendations concerning the distance (from protected areas and housing) required to build wind farms set forth in literature shows that Poland is the only country with such harsh restrictions. With its good environmental conditions and technical capacities, Poland can become a European leader in the production of energy from wind. The only barrier is the legislative environment and political instability on the national level. Without improvements in this sector, there is no chance for new wind projects, as these factors are crucial for development of this type of energy.

scholarly journals Training, Implementation, and Potential of a Cybermentoring Scheme in Six EU Countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-72
Author(s):  
Peter K. Smith ◽  
Fran Thompson ◽  
John Jessel ◽  
Andrea Kožuchová ◽  
Irene Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Young People ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
National Level ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Train The Trainer ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Cross National

AbstractCybermentoring refers to virtual peer support in which young people themselves are trained as cybermentors and interact with those needing help and advice (cybermentees) online. This article describes the training in, and implementation of, a cross-national cybermentoring scheme, Beatbullying Europe, developed in the United Kingdom. It involved train-the-trainer workshops for partners and life mentors in six European countries (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Romania, Poland and the Czech Republic) in 2013–2014, followed by training sessions for pupil cybermentors aged 11–16 years. Although BeatBullying went into liquidation in November 2014, the project was largely completed. We (1) report an evaluation of the training of the life mentors and mentors, via questionnaire survey; and (2) discuss findings about the implementation of the scheme and its potential at a cross-national level, via partner interviews during and at the end of the project. The training was found to be highly rated in all respects, and in all six countries involved. The overall consensus from the data available is that there was a positive impact for the schools and professionals involved; some challenges encountered are discussed. The BeatBullying Europe project, despite being unfinished, was promising, and a similar approach deserves further support and evaluation in the future.

scholarly journals Factors affecting farm size on the European level and the national level of the Czech Republic

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (No. 1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janovska Vratislava ◽  
Simova Petra ◽  
Vlasak Josef ◽  
Sklenicka Petr
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
National Level ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
National Scale ◽  
Sustainable Rural Development ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Considerable Uncertainty ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Eu

Extreme differences in agricultural holding size, existing not only among the countries within the EU as a whole but also within the farm structures of the individual countries, create a considerable uncertainty for establishing the optimal political and economic instruments to support sustainable rural development. The study explores the determinants influencing the spatial volatility of agricultural holding size at both the EU scale and the national scale of the Czech Republic, the latter of which has the largest mean agricultural holding size in the EU. While some factors are identical for both the EU and the Czech Republic, other effects can only be evaluated at the European or international scale, and still others can be evaluated only at the national scale. The only factor found in this study to be significantly associated with the agricultural holding size on the European scale was the wheat production. On the Czech national scale, land consolidation, unemployment rate, and soil fertility were significantly associated with the agricultural holding size. The study found that in the Czech Republic, the number of farms was increasing, while at the same time the agricultural holding sizes were decreasing. This is an opposite trend in comparison to the EU as a whole, where the number of farms is diminishing and the sizes increasing.

scholarly journals Combining Wind and Pumped Hydro Energy Storage for Renewable Energy Generation in Ireland

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Coburn ◽  
Eilín Walsh ◽  
Patrick J. Solan ◽  
Kevin P. McDonnell
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Wind Farms ◽  
Energy Generation ◽  
Western Coast ◽  
Hydroelectric Power ◽  
Wind Potential ◽  
Renewable Energy Generation

Ireland has one of the highest wind energy potentials in Europe. The intermittent nature of wind makes this renewable resource impractical as a sole source of energy. Combining wind energy with pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) can overcome this intermittency, consuming energy during low-demand periods and supplying energy for periods of high demand. Currently Ireland has a number of hydroelectric power plants and wind farms of various scales in operation. A feasibility study was conducted to investigate the potential of securing a reliable source of renewable energy by increasing the penetration of hydroelectric power by means of combined wind-PHES developments. The greatest wind potential is experienced along the western coast of Ireland and a number of sites were identified here which satisfied a minimum mean wind speed criterion of 10.5 ms−1. Each site was then further evaluated according to topographical requirements for PHES. All but two of the identified sites are immediately unsuitable due to the presence of areas protected under European legislation; this highlights the nonenergy related obstacles in the path of renewable energy generation in Ireland and suggests that a compromise should be researched which could facilitate both renewable energy generation and species and habitat protection in Europe.

scholarly journals Does the Quality of a Place Affect Well-being?

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 224-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
František Murgaš ◽  
Michal Klobučník
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
Spatial Differentiation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Golden Standard ◽  
Relationship Of

AbstractAn important methodological question in the general discourses concerning the quality of life is scale and mutual relationship of its two dimensions. In this article, the subjective dimension is understood as well-being; data from its spatial differentiation in districts of the Czech Republic were obtained from a face-to-face interview. The objective dimension is understood from the geographical aspect as quality of a place; it is quantified by the indicators of the golden standard of quality of life. Data from its spatial differentiation in districts of the Czech Republic are secondary. The article aims to compare the data of well-being and quality of a place for all the districts, with a premise of a higher level of well-being in the districts with a higher quality of a place, and vice-versa. This would answer the question of whether the quality of a place affects well-being.

scholarly journals A High-Resolution Wind Farms Suitability Mapping Using GIS and Fuzzy AHP Approach: A National-Level Case Study in Sudan

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 358
Author(s):  
Amr S. Zalhaf ◽  
Bahaa Elboshy ◽  
Kotb M. Kotb ◽  
Yang Han ◽  
Abdulrazak H. Almaliki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Fuzzy Ahp ◽  
National Level ◽  
Wind Farms ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Lightning Strike ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Suitability Map

Wind energy is one of the most attractive sustainable energy resources since it has low operation, maintenance, and production costs and a relatively low impact on the environment. Identifying the optimal sites for installing wind power plants (WPPs) is considered an important challenge of wind energy development which requires careful and combined analyses of numerous criteria. This study introduces a high-resolution wind farms suitability mapping based on Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and Geographic Information System (GIS) approaches considering technical, environmental, social, and spatial aspects, representing eight different criteria. First, a multi-criteria decision-making analysis based on the FAHP method is employed to assign appropriate weights for the addressed criteria with respect to their relative importance. Since the traditional AHP method, which was found employed in the majority of the relative case-studies, is not efficient in dealing with uncertainty when experts use a basic scale (0 to 1) for their assessments, the FAHP provides more flexible scales through the utilized fuzzy membership functions and the natural linguistic variables. Consequently, this helps to facilitate the assessments made by experts and increases the precision of the obtained results (weights). Next, the high-resolution GIS is used to carry out a spatial analysis and integrate various factors/criteria throughout the proposed index to produce the final suitability map and identify the unsuitable areas. The presented study emphasizes investigating the lightning strike flash rate due to its significant influences on the wind turbine’s safety and operation, yet this crucial factor has been seldomly investigated in previous studies. The obtained findings revealed that the wind speed, the land slope, and the elevation had the highest weighted criteria with 33.1%, 24.8%, and 12.2%, respectively. Besides, the final-developed suitability map revealed that 23.22% and 8.31% of the Sudanese territory are of high and very high suitability, respectively, for wind farms installation which are considered sufficient to cover the electricity needs. The difficulty of acquiring real data and resources for the addressed location was the main challenge of the presented work. The work outlook addresses the suitability mapping of hybrid photovoltaic-wind turbine energy systems, which will require addressing new and significant criteria in the applied methodology.

scholarly journals e-Learning trends in Central Europe: The case of the Czech Republic

2013 ◽  
pp. 375-387
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Central Europe ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
National Level ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
E Learning

The paper deals with expert predictions on the development of e-learning in the Czech Republic, a country in Central Europe. The first part of the paper describes the development of e-learning with specific feature in the Czech Republic in relation to the implementation of Information and communication technologies (ICT) to schools and the business sector. The second part of the paper presents a survey with selected experts, conducted in the years 2012 and 2013 in the Czech Republic, aiming at identifying the trends of e-learning. Special attention is paid to applying e-learning in the corporate sector. Our survey provides a better understanding of the current and future trends of e-learning to a wide range of stakeholders interested in using e-learning. Understanding the existing and future state of e-learning should be a starting point for further development of any e-learning strategy, in both education and corporate sectors. Therefore, the findings of our survey have important practical implications. The survey also proves that identification of the e-learning trends at the national level is influenced by political, economic, social and technological factors.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document