Environmental impact and optimization study of Urumqi wind-solar-storage system based on LCA

This study conducts a comprehensive techno-economic-environmental evaluation and full life cycle analysis of a community-scale grid-connected wind-PV-storage system in Urumqi. The system comprises photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, and lithium iron phosphate batteries. Using the life cycle assessment method, the carbon emissions, energy payback period, and carbon payback period of the system throughout its life cycle are quantified. Results indicate that the complementary nature of wind and solar power effectively mitigates output fluctuations, while the impact of energy storage capacity on economic performance exhibits nonlinear characteristics, with an optimal capacity range identified. The life cycle assessment reveals that environmental impacts are highly concentrated in the production stage, accounting for 106.12% of total carbon emissions. However, high material recycling rates (>90%) during the decommissioning stage can offset approximately 80% of the life cycle impacts. Under ideal conditions with full utilization of generated electricity, the system’s energy payback period is 1.43 years, carbon payback period is 0.59 years, and carbon intensity per kilowatt-hour is 15.6 gCO 2 eq/kWh. Nevertheless, wind and solar curtailment significantly extends these payback periods, highlighting that improving the utilization rate of renewable energy is crucial for optimizing the system’s environmental benefits.