The feasibility of wind energy from strategic management perspective in Russia

1. INTRODUCTION

This research proposal has been complied to outline how an investigation into one part of the feasibility studies for wind energy developments are undertaken. From a strategic management perspective the socio-economics aspects of this shall be examined. These shall be considered by examining a number of case studies in Russia (as an example see; POWER, 2013; BAREC, 1998).

2. INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY

This study shall be undertaken by critically evaluating how these assessments are currently implemented in practice. The effectiveness of these shall then be assessed by comparing them to practices adopted by other countries (see as an example: Bell, Gray & Haggett, 2005; Bergmann, Hanley & Wright, 2006; Van der Horst & Toke, 2010). This could help to identify some opportunities, which may be utilised in Russia, to improve the undertaking of feasibility studies.

4. PROBLEM STATEMENT

In Russia, feasibility studies are conducted to establish if wind turbine projects are viable (as an example see; POWER, 2013; BAREC, 1998). However, a variety of practices have been adopted to undertake these to date (Devine?Wright, 2005). This research seeks to ascertain if these practices could be improved, by establishing how these assessments have been undertaken in other countries.

5. RESEARCH AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

In conjunction with the problem statement above, the following aims have been formulated:

To use available and relevant data, to investigate how socio-economic assessments are managed by using various management strategies (during the feasibility investigation phase of wind farm developments).
To use available and relevant data, to investigate how socio-economic assessments are implemented by using various management strategies (during the feasibility investigation phase of wind farm developments).
To use the findings from the above two aims make recommendations for how practices may be improved in Russia.

Additionally, the following objectives have been developed:

To evaluate how socio-economic assessments are strategically managed and implemented (during the feasibility phases of wind farm projects in Russia and other countries).
To evaluate if these assessments may be improved in Russia.
6. PROPOSAL STRUCTURE

The proposed outline of the dissertation is described in the next section.

7.LITERATURE REVIEW

To date, studies have been undertaken into the development of wind farms (see as an example: Bell, Gray & Haggett, 2005; Bergmann, Hanley & Wright, 2006; Van der Horst & Toke, 2010). The majority of these have been focused on developments in Europe or the United States of America. There are a few case studies, which are pertinent to these types projects in Russia (as an example see; POWER, 2013; BAREC, 1998). Mainly, these case studies show that a variety of techniques are used to seek to ascertain if these developments are feasible. To ensure that this is the case a number of assessments are undertaken (see as an example: Bell, Gray & Haggett, 2005; Bergmann, Hanley & Wright, 2006). This helps to ensure that each aspect of the development and its impacts are fully considered. One assessment, which is important, seeks to evaluate the socio -economic impacts of wind farm developments (Wolsink, 2007). It is the management and implementation of these in Russia, which this study seeks to explore.

This shall be achieved by examining the literature from Europe or the United States of America (see as an example: Bell, Gray & Haggett, 2005; Bergmann, Hanley & Wright, 2006; Van der Horst & Toke, 2010) and comparing this to the Russian case studies (as an example see; POWER, 2013; BAREC, 1998). This will enable the researcher to understand how these are undertaken in a number of countries and how practices may be improved in Russia.

7.3 LITERATURE REVIEW SUMMARY

The findings from this review shall be detailed in a summary and the research questions shall be outlined.

7.4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Provisionally, the following research questions have been developed.

How have socio-economic assessments been strategically managed (during the feasibility studies of wind farms in different countries)
How have the socio-economic assessments been implemented (during the feasibility phases of wind farm developments in Russia and other countries)
To date, what lessons have been learnt from one and two, and how may these be applied in Russia
7.5 METHODOLOGY

Due to the nature of this study, the research shall be based on an extensive review of the literature and case studies. Once all of these have been examined and collated a number of recommendations shall be made.

7.6 RESEARCH PHILOSOPHY

The research philosophy, which has been adopted for this study is positivism. This will allow the investigation to be a critical and objective base method (Sundars, 2003).

7.7 RESEARCH APPROACH

The research approach, which has chosen for this study is qualitative in nature, as it will be based on a literature review (Sundars, 2003). This will allow the research to explore the problem, which was outlined above, to see if any improvements may be made.

7.8 RESEARCH STRATEGY

The research strategy, which has been chosen for this study is a literature review (Sundars, 2003).

7.9 DATA COLLECTION

The literature review shall be conducted by searching websites electronic journals, case studies and relevant books. Once a number of relevant sources have been identified these shall be used to collect information to investigate the research problem.

7.10 DATA ANALYSIS

All analyses shall be based on the literature, which is identified during the data collection phase of this study (Sundars, 2003).

7.11 ACCESS

Access to this literature shall be established through searching library resources, electronic journals and websites.

7.12 RELIABILITY, VALIDITY, AND GENERALISABILITY

The reliability and validity of this research shall be ensured by only using sources of information, which are deemed to be suitable for this study. The generalizability of the findings from this study shall be limited as it will be based on secondary sources and the study findings will only be valid whilst these sources of information remain current (Sundars, 2003).

7.11 ETHICAL ISSUES

There are no ethical issues which need to be considered whilst this research is being conducted.

7.12 RESEARCH LIMITATIONS

As this research is based on secondary sources, the data, which is available, may limit the findings from this and as already stated as the study is based on the current situation in Russia, its findings may only be valid for a limited time.

8 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this study shall be undertaken by seeking to identify and critically evaluate a number of secondary sources. This will enable the strategic management and implementation of socio –economic analyses to be critically evaluated. The effectiveness of these in Russia shall then be assessed by comparing them to practices adopted by other countries. Then a number of recommendations may be made where this is appropriate.

9 TIME CHART
TasksTask LeadStartEndDuration (Days)

DissertationResearcher7/06/137/15/1310
Write Up Results 7/06/137/20/1315
Write up analysis 7/21/138/01/1312
Write Recommendations 1/08/1313/08/201310
Draw Conclusions 13/08/201318/08/20135

REFERENCES

BAREC (1998) Conditions for the development of Wind Power in the Baltic Sea Region. Available from http://www.basrec.net/files/basrecdocs/Projects/BASREC-wind%201_enabling%20studies_120424.pdf (Accessed 03/07/2013)

Bell, D., Gray, T., & Haggett, C. (2005). The ‘social gap’ in wind farm siting decisions: explanations and policy responses. Environmental politics, 14(4), 460-477.

Bergmann, A., Hanley, N., & Wright, R. (2006). Valuing the attributes of renewable energy investments. Energy Policy, 34(9), 1004-1014.

Devine?Wright, P. (2005). Beyond NIMBYism: towards an integrated framework for understanding public perceptions of wind energy. Wind energy, 8(2), 125-139.

POWER (2013) Perspectives of Offshore Wind Development. Available from http://www.corpi.ku.lt/power/ (Accessed 03/07/2013).

Saunders, M. (2003) Research Methods for Business Students. South Africa: Pearson Education.

Van der Horst, D. (2007). NIMBY or not Exploring the relevance of location and the politics of voiced opinions in renewable energy siting controversies. Energy policy, 35(5), 2705-2714.

Van der Horst, D., & Toke, D. (2010). Exploring the landscape of wind farm developments: local area characteristics and planning process outcomes in rural England. Land Use Policy, 27(2), 214-221.

Wolsink, M. (2007). Planning of renewables schemes: Deliberative and fair decision-making on landscape issues instead of reproachful accusations of non-cooperation. Energy policy, 35(5), 2692-2704.