Wind power is one of three renewable energy sources that can provide true efficiency throughout its complete life cycle, according to a recent report in Inderscience's International Journal of Global Energy Issues.
The researchers considered such issues as materials sourcing, manufacturing, running and decommissioning – as well as land use – as part of their life cycle assessments to determine the total environmental impacts and efficiency. They then compared the results with the effects of equivalent energy release from fossil fuels.
Wind energy, geothermal energy and solar energy were found to have ‘valid green credentials’ in their electricity production. ‘The efficiency of these systems is comparable over the complete life cycle than the equivalent fossil fuel system,’ the report states.
