Wind turbines (Figure 8.26) have been the subject of many LCAs, most of them motivated by a wish to demonstrate that the turbine quickly pays back the energy and saves the carbon emissions associated...

Wind turbines (Figure 8.26) have been the subject of many LCAs, most of them motivated by a wish to demonstrate that the turbine quickly pays back the energy and saves the carbon emissions associated with its construction.

a) An approximate bill of materials is available for a Gamesa 2-MW wind turbine installed in a Spanish wind farm. Use the CES Edu Eco-audit tool to assess the energy and carbon associated with the materials of the turbine, assuming virgin materials are used.

(b) If the turbine has a capacity factor of 25%, how long will it take to return the energy of the materials of which it is made?