Research On Externalities Of Wind Power Generation Based On Comparison Of Substitution Efficiency

The development of the world economy and the growth of the population leads to the increasing demand for energy.For a long time,fossil fuels such as oil,natural gas and coal have dominated the world energy consumption.However,these fossil fuels are non-renewable,and uncontrolled exploitation and utilization have led to a rapid decline in their supply thus global energy shortages occur.On the other hand,combustion of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases and pollutants,which seriously damage the environment.The world is facing a dual challenge of energy constraints and environmental pollution,as well as China.Therefore,it is inevitable to develop and utilize renewable energy thus adjusting energy structure in order to meet the challenge.Wind power has become the most promising energy for large-scale development and utilization due to its advantages of renewability,cleanness,abundant reserves,and mature technology,and it has developed rapidly in China.Theoretical analysis and empirical research are conducted on the externalities of wind power generation based on the theory of externalities.First,the paper collates and summarizes the research results of both domestic and foreign scholars,based on which the content and methods of the paper are determined.Then the theories about the externalities of wind power generation are explained.A classification system of the externalities of wind power generation is built according to the definition and analysis in this paper.The externalities of wind power generation are divided into positive externalities and negative externalities.Specifically,the positive externalities are classified into emission-reduction benefit,energy-saving benefit and health benefit based on the comparison with thermal power generation.And the negative externalities are composed of negative environmental externality and grid connection externality.The former includes visual impact,noise,shadow flicker,impact on birds and electromagnetic radiation,and the latter includes capacity and electricity costs.Finally,an empirical analysis of the externalities of wind power generation is conducted based on the first phase of the Beijing Guanting wind farm.An evaluation index system for the externalities of wind power generation is built.The reduction cost of the emissions from thermal power generation is used to quantify emission-reduction benefit,coal-saving andwater-saving benefits are used to quantify energy-saving benefit,and cost of illness approach and amended human capital method are used to quantify health benefit.With the knowledge of other areas,the grid connection externality is quantified.The conclusions are: the total positive externality of the first phase of the Guanting wind farm is much greater than the total negative externality.At present,external benefits can make up for external costs.The positive externalities are significant,among which the health benefit is the greatest,followed by the energy-saving benefit,the emission-reduction benefit is the least,and the overall size of the energy-saving and emission-reduction benefits is equivalent to the health benefit.The total negative externality is relatively small.Corresponding policy recommendations for positive and negative externalities are given.