ERC最新研究显示：高尔夫球场比太阳能和风力发电使用的土地更多
文章介绍
Jann Michael Weinand , Tristan Pelser, Max Kleinebrahm and Detlef Stolten
通讯作者：
- Jann Michael Weinand, Institute of Climate and Energy Systems(ICE)—Jülich Systems Analysis(ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
研究背景：
Land use is a critical factor in the siting of renewable energy facilities and is often scrutinized due to perceived conflicts with other land demands. Meanwhile, substantial areas are devoted to activities such as golf, which are accessible to only a select few and have a significant land and environmental footprint.
研究内容：
More area for golf courses than renewables
In 2024, there were about 38,400 golf courses in the world [29], 80% of which are located in the top ten countries with most courses(see figure 2(a)). With over 16,000 courses, the United States of America tops this list(see figure 2(b)), followed by the United Kingdom (around 3,100) and Japan (around 2,700). With an average of approx. 0.8 km2 , the individual golf courses in China are the largest, with second-placed Japan, at 0.5 km2 , well behind and closer to the other countries. Moreover, golf courses occupy a considerable proportion of the land area within individual nations. In the United Kingdom, this figure reaches 0.49%, with South Korea and Japan following at 0.42% and 0.37%, respectively. Although the data collection was challenging, it is possible to demonstrate at least for Europe that the number of golf courses has increased significantly since 1985 (see figure 2(c)).
The top 10 countries could install between 281 to 842 GW of utility-scale PV on 25% to 75% of the golf course land area (see figure 3). The capacity for 75% coverage is slightly higher than the currently installed capacity in the countries [45–49], which totals 646 GW. However, the potential capacity of 842 GW is significantly higher than the currently installed capacity of 257 GW if China is excluded. In fact, the current capacity (excluding China) would even be exceeded if only 25% coverage were assumed on the golf courses. In the countries excluding China, even the capacity forecasts [50] up to 2028 (496 GW) could be achieved with 50% coverage (543 GW) through installations on golf course areas. Although this applies in total, it does not apply to Germany, South Korea and France, apart from China, where the area on golf courses would not be sufficient to meet the capacity projections.
Depending on turbine spacing (see Methods), the top 10 countries could alternatively install between 174 and 659 GW of onshore wind across the entire golf course area (see figure 4). At 702 GW, the current capacities [45–49] of these countries are above the maximum potential, although they are within the range of the potential at 298 GW if China is again excluded. The capacity forecast[50] of 443 GW in 2028 (excluding China) can also be achieved by golf courses overall, but not in Germany, France, China and Sweden.
The top 10 countries could install between 281 to 842 GW of utility-scale PV on 25% to 75% of the golf course land area (see figure 3). The capacity for 75% coverage is slightly higher than the currently installed capacity in the countries [45–49], which totals 646 GW. However, the potential capacity of 842 GW is significantly higher than the currently installed capacity of 257 GW if China is excluded. In fact, the current capacity (excluding China) would even be exceeded if only 25% coverage were assumed on the golf courses. In the countries excluding China, even the capacity forecasts [50] up to 2028 (496 GW) could be achieved with 50% coverage (543 GW) through installations on golf course areas. Although this applies in total, it does not apply to Germany, South Korea and France, apart from China, where the area on golf courses would not be sufficient to meet the capacity projections.
Depending on turbine spacing (see Methods), the top 10 countries could alternatively install between 174 and 659 GW of onshore wind across the entire golf course area (see figure 4). At 702 GW, the current capacities [45–49] of these countries are above the maximum potential, although they are within the range of the potential at 298 GW if China is again excluded. The capacity forecast[50] of 443 GW in 2028 (excluding China) can also be achieved by golf courses overall, but not in Germany, France, China and Sweden.
作者介绍
- Dr. Jann Weinand, lead author of the study and Head of the Integrated Scenarios department at the Institute Jülich Systems Analysis at Forschungszentrum Jülich, says: “Our study does not advocate for the direct conversion of golf courses, but it highlights the vast potential for renewable energy on similarly large and underutilized areas. In light of the ongoing debates about land use for renewables, it is crucial to consider how we allocate land overall—especially when significant space is dedicated to activities that benefit only a limited segment of the population.”
期刊介绍
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