Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton) explains to his attorney why Wind Turbines depend on the oil industry in this ground breaking new series. This fictional character says you never get your energy invested back from a wind turbine. What do you think?
The lifetime Energy Return on Energy Invested (EROEI) for modern large wind turbines in the USA varies depending on factors such as turbine size, location, load factor, and methodological assumptions. Based on current analyses:
1. Onshore Wind Turbines: The EROEI for modern onshore wind turbines typically ranges from 17 to 18, with some estimates reaching as high as 28.8 to 40 under idealized conditions. However, these higher figures often assume unrealistically high load factors (e.g., 43%) or optimistic recycling assumptions. A more realistic figure for onshore wind turbines operating with average load factors of around 26% is approximately 17.7[1][2].
2. Offshore Wind Turbines: Offshore wind turbines generally have lower EROEI values due to higher energy inputs required for construction, installation, and maintenance in marine environments. The EROEI for offshore turbines is estimated to range from 12.1 to 14.5, assuming realistic load factors of around 41%[1].
Key Factors Affecting EROEI
– Load Factor: The proportion of time a turbine operates at its maximum capacity significantly impacts the energy output over its lifetime. Offshore turbines benefit from higher average wind speeds, which improve their load factors compared to onshore installations.
– Turbine Size and Technology: Larger turbines tend to have higher EROEI due to economies of scale and improved efficiency, although diminishing returns occur as material and energy inputs increase disproportionately with size.
– Lifecycle Analysis (LCA): Methodologies that account for recycling or “avoided impacts” can inflate EROEI figures by crediting back energy inputs at the end of a turbine’s life.
– Lifetime Assumptions: Modern wind turbines are typically designed for lifespans of 20–25 years, with potential extensions up to 35 years under optimal conditions[4][10].
Comparison
In general, wind power exhibits favorable EROEI values compared to fossil fuels and other renewable sources like solar photovoltaics. For modern large-scale wind turbines in the USA, a realistic lifetime EROEI is approximately 17–18 for onshore systems and 12–14.5 for offshore systems, making them efficient and sustainable energy sources over their operational lifetimes[1][2][8].
Links:
[1] https://davidturver.substack.com/p/eroei-eroi-of-onshore-offshore-wind-power
[2] https://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/FACULTY/ITO/GG410/Wind/Kubiszewski_EROI_Wind_RenEn10.pdf
[3] https://lakeeriefoundation.org/issues/wind-turbines/
[4] https://www.ijglobal.com/articles/157132/turbine-lifetime-limits-require-a-reality-check
[5] https://thundersaidenergy.com/2023/03/23/eroei-energy-return-on-energy-invested/
[6] https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/renewable/another-offshore-wind-farm-hits-the-dust/
[8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_return_on_investment
[9] https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2023/12/11/lake-erie-wind-turbine-project-icebreaker
[10] https://energytransition.org/2014/09/renewables-ko-by-eroi/