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Analysing Barriers to Achieving SDG 7. Managing Green Product Development in the Wind Energy Sector

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Advances in Production Management Systems. Production Management Systems for Responsible Manufacturing, Service, and Logistics Futures (APMS 2023)

Part of the book series: IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology ((IFIPAICT,volume 692))

Abstract

Wind energy is seen as a promising option for sustainable energy, but its implementation also has environmental impacts. The environmental impact of wind energy systems, particularly on-shore and off-shore wind turbines, has been extensively researched using methodologies such as Life Cycle Assessment. However, creating more sustainable wind turbines involves rethinking their creation, production, and consumption. To reduce environmental impact, companies must overcome barriers to implementing eco-design and develop innovative solutions. Understanding these barriers is crucial for designing effective solution strategies in the wind energy sector. A case study was carried out on one of the top five original equipment manufacturers in the wind energy sector. Eco-design has become one of the most effective ways of incorporating environmental considerations into design activities, but also has led to increased innovation in wind turbine design and development, as well as in associated processes such as manufacturing, transportation, installation, operation, and maintenance. However, despite experience in environmental management systems and eco-design in particular, obstacles, both external and internal to the company, still need to be overcome to succeed in product eco-design. Among other barriers, technicians and managers often lack specialised ecodesign skills, which can hinder the process, and the labour market does not adequately respond to the demand for professionals with specific knowledge in this field. Top management should also develop more effective methods or improve existing ones to meet the expectations of product design and development technicians.

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Acknowledgments

We acknowledge support provided by Centre de Documentation et de Recherches Européennes (Université de Pau et des pays de l'Adour, France), the Environmental Sustainability and Health Institute (Technological University of Dublin, Ireland), and the Euskampus Foundation Programme within the projects ZIRKBOTICS and SOFIA. The researchers are part of the IT1691–22 research team of the Basque University System.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tecnalia Research and Innovation, 48013, San Sebastian, Spain

    Rakel García-Alonso

  2. Business Management Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of the Basque Country, 48013, Bilbao, Spain

    Beñat Landeta-Manzano

  3. Business Management, Department Faculty of Engineering, University of the Basque Country, 20018, San Sebastián, Spain

    German Arana-Landín

  4. Business Management, Department Faculty of Engineering, University of the Basque Country, 48013, Bilbao, Spain

    Rubén Jiménez-Redal

Authors
  1. Rakel García-Alonso
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  2. Beñat Landeta-Manzano
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  3. German Arana-Landín
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  4. Rubén Jiménez-Redal
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Beñat Landeta-Manzano .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Erlend Alfnes

  2. Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Anita Romsdal

  3. Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Jan Ola Strandhagen

  4. ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Friedrichshafen, Germany

    Gregor von Cieminski

  5. Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico City, Mexico

    David Romero

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García-Alonso, R., Landeta-Manzano, B., Arana-Landín, G., Jiménez-Redal, R. (2023). Analysing Barriers to Achieving SDG 7. Managing Green Product Development in the Wind Energy Sector. In: Alfnes, E., Romsdal, A., Strandhagen, J.O., von Cieminski, G., Romero, D. (eds) Advances in Production Management Systems. Production Management Systems for Responsible Manufacturing, Service, and Logistics Futures. APMS 2023. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology, vol 692. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-43688-8_46

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-43688-8_46

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-43687-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-43688-8

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

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