Researchers Claim Wind Turbine Energy Payback In Less Than a Year

mdsolar (1045926) writes "Researchers have carried out an environmental lifecycle assessment of 2-megawatt wind turbines mooted for a large wind farm in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. They conclude that in terms of cumulative energy payback, or the time to produce the amount of energy required of production and installation, a wind turbine with a working life of 20 years will offer a net benefit within five to eight months of being brought online." Watts Up With That? has a more skeptical take on the calculations.

Sounds about right...

[djupedal]

We attended an investors meeting in Portland relating to solar power 2 yrs. ago....the panel of solar experts all kept talking about playing catch up with wind and how solar was getting it's ass kicked. Finally someone in the group asked "Can you tell us what room the wind energy investment group is meeting in...?"

Re:WUWT

[NoNonAlphaCharsHere]

But their argument is irrefutable. "But the wind speed changes!! They didn't mention that!!". I only have three words. Double-U Oh Double-U.

Re:WUWT

[pipatron]

Next up: Conservapedia for unbiased fact-checking.

That will be a first

[amightywind]

Windmill pay for themselves? That will be the first. The high school down the street has a multi-million dollar feel good sculpture. It's never turning. Of course leftist activist researchers will encourage us to bankrupt ourselves.

Re:WUWT

[Rei]

Typical Slashdot. "New peer reviewed science study says something. But random guy on the internet says they're wrong!"

Re:Sounds about right...

[Cryacin]

Add hot air from politicians to that list. Oh wait, that's wind power. Nevermind!