Conference article

The co-utilization opportunities of different infrastructures for wind energy generation will be investi-gated in this paper. Information is derived from previous research and discussions with Finnish wind energy companies as well as with authorities; environmental organizations and local inhabitants in the Ostrobothnia region of Finland. Wind power can be built in areas where there are already other business activities. These co-utilization areas include harbours; industrial sites; roads; railways and existing masts and towers. Moreover; both natural and cultivated environments have vast co-utilization potentials for wind energy offshore; near shore and onshore like in fields; forests and swamps and on hills and islands. The environmental and socio-cultural consid-erations are of crucial importance when planning co-utilization in natural environments; and very important also in cultivated environments. Industrial areas are the least environmentally and socio-culturally vulnerable; but the potential partners there are businesses that demand substantial financial benefits from co-utilization cooperation; hence making the economic considerations decisive. Co-utilization projects can mitigate or prevent many unde-sirable environmental; socio-cultural and economic impacts of wind turbines; if they are holistically and careful-ly planned. Furthermore; wind turbines as structures can serve numerous environmentally; socio-culturally and economically beneficial purposes.

Wind energy; Co-utilization; Infrastructure; Life cycle assessment; Social acceptance