How were the grams of CO2 / kWh arrived at? I need to see a detailed breakdown, the working out in the margin. I could say 27 tonnes of CO2 are attributable to each kWh of electricity produced by a wind turbine, but like your figures, that would be meaningless without the source details.Since your question JHC directly mirrors the Mike in this following question , and you were trying a Gotcha ... Well read and learn. We actually did that calculation back in 2006. The 2013 paper is particularly germane, as it from the same manufacturer , and while a slightly smaller machine class, the numbers will not be greatly different. Note on shore is always cheaper than off shore in materials . However there is less objection to offshore and size is less of a concern. Wind machines scale very positively
Dear Sara,
Wind turbines are an absolute joke. Has anyone actually figured out the amount of carbon emissions emitted for the entire process from initial construction of the components and land development (construction machinery emissions)? — Mike M.
Hi Mike,
Thank you for this apparent attempt at a “gotcha” question, as it gives me the opportunity to reply with a resounding yes! People have studied, in detail, the amount of carbon pollution emitted during the life of a wind turbine.
In fact, this type of analysis constitutes an entire branch of research known as “life cycle assessment,” with its own handbooks, internationally agreed-upon standards, specialized software, and peer-reviewed journals.
To conduct a life cycle assessment of a wind turbine, or any other product, researchers begin by diagramming each stage of its existence, from manufacturing through end-of-life disposal. Next, they inventory the energy and raw materials consumed at each stage, such as the steel, fiberglass, and plastic needed during a wind turbine’s manufacturing, the diesel burned by ships and trucks in transporting turbine parts from factory to construction site, and the energy used during construction, operation, maintenance, and eventual deconstruction and recycling or disposal.
With this information in hand, researchers calculate the carbon pollution produced during a wind turbine’s life cycle — in other words, its carbon footprint.
Search online for the keywords “life cycle assessment” and “wind turbine” and you’ll retrieve dozens of published papers on this topic. Here’s a non-comprehensive chart of such papers from the past five years:
The carbon footprint of wind turbines
This chart shows how much carbon dioxide, per kilowatt-hour of electricity generated, can be attributed to a wind turbine during its life from cradle to grave. If you’re wondering about those awkward-sounding “grams of carbon dioxide-equivalent,” or “CO2-eq,” that’s simply a unit that includes both carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping greenhouse gases, such as methane.
Study year Location Configuration Rated power (megawatts) grams of CO2-eq per kWh 2019 Texas, USA onshore 2 4.9 2018 United Kingdom onshore 1.5 11.8 2018 China offshore 3.6 25.5 2018 China onshore 1.5, 0.75 8.7 2016 Europe onshore 2.3 6 2016 Europe onshore 3.2 5 2016 Europe offshore 4 10.9 2016 Europe offshore 6 7.8 2013 global onshore 2 8 2012 – – 2 9.7 2012 – – 1.8 8.8
You can see that the results vary by country, size of turbine, and onshore versus offshore configuration, but all fall within a range of about five to 26 grams of CO2-equivalent per kilowatt-hour.
To put those numbers in context, consider the two major fossil-fuel sources of electricity in the United States: natural gas and coal. Power plants that burn natural gas are responsible for 437 to 758 grams of CO2-equivalent per kilowatt-hour — far more than even the most carbon-intensive wind turbine listed above. Coal-fired power plants fare even more poorly in comparison to wind, with estimates ranging from 675 to 1,689 grams of CO2 per kilowatt-hour, depending on the exact technology in question.
There’s another crucial difference between fossil fuels and wind turbines. A coal or natural gas plant burns fuel — and releases carbon dioxide — every moment that it runs. By contrast, most of the carbon pollution generated during a wind turbine’s life occurs during manufacturing. Once it’s up and spinning, the turbine generates close to zero pollution.
What’s more, wind turbines often displace older, dirtier sources that supply power to the electricity grid. For example, after a new wind farm connects to the grid, the grid operator may be able to meet electricity demand without firing up a decades-old, highly polluting coal plant. The result? A cleaner, more climate-friendly electricity grid.
In fact, it’s possible to calculate a carbon “payback” time for a wind turbine: the length of time it takes a turbine to produce enough clean electricity to make up for the carbon pollution generated during manufacture. One study put that payback time at seven months — not bad considering the typical 20- to 25-year lifespan of a wind turbine. Bottom line: Wind turbines are far from a joke. For the climate, they’re a deal too good to pass up.
— Sara
Allegros were well-known for breaking down.Is anyone buying into the Allegro blubbering resignation routine? Her COP26 job was over anyway and she’s clearly allowed herself to be purchased for a substantial pay-off. An unexpected cash bonus in return for some crying.
Remember that these people laugh at members of the public who are experiencing hardship and grief. Additional money for bawling on camera whilst reading script intended to get Johnson off the hook will be no problem for her. I wonder what else she’ll do for extra cheese?
The tears were false having been purchased from a willing seller by the government.Allegros were well-known for breaking down.
Allegra has considerable sympathy from others:
The former journalist Allegra Stratton has stepped down as a government spokesperson over the footage of her joking about a party at Downing Street. Senior journalists and former colleagues said she was being scapegoated for a party which, during the video, she said she had not even attended. Robert Peston, ITV’s political editor, said: “She is a model for many in modern politics … in that she has taken responsibility and quit without prevarication.” The resignation was also seen as further confirmation the rule-breaking party took place. Johnson apologised in the Commons, claiming to be “sickened” by the video, and asked Simon Case, the cabinet secretary, to investigate whether the event complied with Covid rules.
Thursday briefing: Johnson draws a mask over party fiasco
PM brings in fresh Covid restrictions as he fights for credibility … Guardian named news provider of the year … and grandparental leavewww.theguardian.com
Matthew Parris was also supportive of Allegra on some program last night - and directly said that Johnson fibs. (I think he did really mean lies, but chose that other word intentionally.)
I felt that the tears were not in her interests. It looked like she could cry for her loss of job but laugh about Covid and parties. The contrast was awful. She'd have done herself a favour had she been able to keep it together.
Amazing they were delivered at all, and were tears (even false) rather than sewage. Mind, the contract probably runs for years with a cost escalator built-in.The tears were false having been purchased from a willing seller by the government.
You may be a bit too harsh here. Stratton's background was a journalist at the BBC*, Guardian and ITV. She had visibly troubles finding the right (weasel) words to call a 'fictional' party that went against covid rules at the time until Johnson's other aides offered their help.I felt that the tears were not in her interests. It looked like she could cry for her loss of job but laugh about Covid and parties. The contrast was awful. She'd have done herself a favour had she been able to keep it together.
I did very much mean that the tears were not in her interests - even if entirely real. And "It looked like..." is how the story would appear to many.You may be a bit too harsh here. Stratton's background was a journalist at the BBC*, Guardian and ITV. She had visibly troubles finding the right (weasel) words to call a 'fictional' party that went against covid rules at the time until Johnson's other aides offered their help.
Paris was on Newsnight last night. He had sympathy for her because he knew her from reputation.
*she was the political editor at BBC Newsnight from 2012 to 2016
In the leaked video footage, she asked, “how do I answer that?” to a question one of the other children had put forward. I wonder if truthfully ever occurred to her?You may be a bit too harsh here. Stratton's background was BBC journalist and ITV. She had visibly troubles finding the right (weasel) words to call a 'fictional' party that went against covid rules at the time until Johnson's other aides offered their help.
Paris was on Newsnight last night. He had sympathy for her because he knew her from reputation.
Think you asked earlier tho. Who will, could replace him? Sunak?Johnson is on his way out, I think.
The tories have several problems in getting from where they are now to a Johnson-less future.
Not least whether it is better to move before the by-election in North Shropshire, or not. Will they get more votes in credit for moving on? Or lose more from those who blindly vote for him?
I heard some journo saying that if we see Johnson shuttling back and forth to North Shropshire, we will have proof they are really worried. I wonder if that has now been inverted and they will keep him away from the area?
I think their biggest difficulty is finding someone who could live with the Johnsons' decor.
Although we can be pretty sure many of them want to become PM, maybe fewer see the benefit in taking over in Johnson's wake? Much danger if they do so but fail to pull it all together.Think you asked earlier tho. Who will, could replace him? Sunak?
Gove is universally disliked.. Raab untrustworthy.. Rees Mog... Might aswell go.
Hancock could be brought back in spite?
they were practicing lying on TV for their master.In the leaked video footage, she asked, “how do I answer that?” to a question one of the other children had put forward. I wonder if truthfully ever occurred to her?
Just shows what sort of character she is / they are. I wonder what Stratton would do if the cheese was right. A floor show with a disappearing brown ale bottle? What are the limits of her cash to performance ratio?they were practicing lying on TV for their master.
Stratton was obviously unsuitable for the job, she could not keep a straight face.
She should have practiced a lot of that in front of a mirror before getting on that podium.
Contrast that with Whitty's performance last night.
I didn’t think he was, but Whitty is bought and paid for. I wonder how much he cost to purchase?they were practicing lying on TV for their master.
Stratton was obviously unsuitable for the job, she could not keep a straight face.
She should have practiced a lot of that in front of a mirror before getting on that podium.
Contrast that with Whitty's performance last night.
Stratton's appointment as Johnson's spokeperson was a mistake. She was carted off to another role pretty quickly afterward to COP26.Just shows what sort of character she is / they are. I wonder what Stratton would do if the cheese was right. A floor show with a disappearing brown ale bottle? What are the limits of her cash to performance ratio?
How were the grams of CO2 / kWh arrived at? I need to see a detailed breakdown, the working out in the margin. I could say 27 tonnes of CO2 are attributable to each kWh of electricity produced by a wind turbine, but like your figures, that would be meaningless without the source details.
He always has been. His performance last night showed him at his most robotic.I didn’t think he was, but Whitty is bought and paid for.