Energy and CO sub(2) Life-Cycle Analyses of Wind Turbines-Review and Applications

Existing energy and carbon dioxide life-cycle analyses of wind turbines are reviewed to determine the causes for widely varying results documented in the literature. Emphasis is placed on the ratio of the primary energy consumed, or CO sub(2) emitted for construction, operation, and decommissioning, per unit of output of electrical energy over the system lifetime. The scatter of normaoized energy intensities found in the literature isdue to discrepancies in values for the energy content of materials, and the analysis scope and methodology. Normalized energy intensity isinfluenced by the nation of manufacture, recycling or overhaul of components after the service life, and choice of concrete or steel for the tower.