Wind turbines waste resources

A report by the Carbon Trust has shown that for most homes in the UK household windturbines would be net carbon emmiters. The report also showed that if turbines were to become common features they would provide only a tiny proportion of the UK’s energy needs.

The report, formulated with the assistance of the Met Office and consulting engineers Arup, shows that previous figures produced by the wind turbine industry have been over optimistic.

The figures used by the wind turbine industry are based on the NOABL data set which the Met office suggest tends to over predict output for built up areas. The data is often representative of open, level terrain.

The new research was carried out using more expensive data sets that take into account the effects of urban areas and provides a more accurate model of the windspeeds across the country. This data suggests that for long periods of time small turbines may not operate at all, and if they do, may not generate much electricity.

Small wind turbines require locations that are open and exposed, conditions that are rarely found in the urban environment.

The production of turbines requires the use of resources that would, in most cases, not be returned by the energy that they generate across their working life. The report concludes that the“pay-back” time of 50% of turbines would be 20 years, which is well in excess of the lifetime of the product.

This report should spell the end for micro generation by wind turbine in urban areas but some cynics might suggest that people will continue to use these useless bits of kit as a badge of their green credentials, to spin slowly and ineffectually over their neighbourhoods.

Be the first to comment

Nobody has made any comments on this entry - be the first to have your say below.




More Recent News

  • New Year same trouble Alex Coxall 6 Jan. 2009 The 2009 RICS forecast predicts a further fall this year of 10% in average property price, which would mean a peak to trough drop of 25%. The predictions are based on the continued reluctance of lenders to lend and the increasingly glum economic climate we are facing. Read more
  • Darling considers credit guarantees Bloomberg.com 11 Dec. 2008 Dec. 10 (Bloomberg) -- U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling is considering credit guarantees for households and companies to spur bank lending, a person familiar with the plan said. Read more
  • Rics figures show November fall Alex Coxall 11 Dec. 2008 Figures released by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) show that property prices have continued to decline during November. Read more
  • Price drop slows slightly Alex Coxall 27 Nov. 2008 The rate of house price drop fell in November according to figures released by Nationwide today. The market however remains nearly 14 % lower than it was a year ago, as buyers remain worried and lending remains curbed. Read more
  • Housing market Downfall 27 Nov. 2008 Famous scene from an award winning film reworked. Read more
More news