 |
 |
|||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||
 |
|
|||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Wind generated power is one of the oldest and most reliable sources of energy we have at our disposal if conditions permit. One of the easiest form of technological concept (the generator) means that any required maintenance will be fast, relatively cheap, and easy to contend with.
The power generation of wind-systems, however, are very much dependent on location and quantity so a return of investment relates to the the power required, capital initially invested, intended location for best wind-generation, and goverment subsidies for renewable energy.
According to the AWEA, wind-produced energy can range from 5 to 30 cents per kilowatt-hour. Compare this to the national average price of electricity of 9.54 with only 0.8 percent generated from wind iand we receive an idea of where wind lies as to generation costs.
The Royal Academy of Engineering had a study conducted by PB Power (pdf) in 2004 which compared the main power systems (Coal, Nuclear, Wind, and others) and their costs of generating electricity. The study concludes that coal and nuclear are less expensive than any of the others at approximately half the cost. The study went further and inserted a hypothetical cost of CO2 emission into the graph and it leveled the playing field somewhat as wind and nuclear didn't produce any. But just looking at the numbers, it was evident that fossil fuels and nuclear produced "cheaper" electricity.
There are several factors to consider before walking away, however. This was one study and by an energy engineering company which deals solely with underground storage facilities of liquid, gas, and solids. Wind power would fall out of its expertise and be a major source of competition for their business.
With that said, they do offer a conclusion which is more appropriate to the complexity of the comparison. They acurately indicate that security of supply, environmental impact, national competitiveness, and social concerns are major considerations that need to be addressed in energy policies and therefore cannot be measured solely on cost. For example, the ever-present political turmoils relating to natural resources increases those costs significantly and to a point that cannot be measured by dollars-alone.
Conclusion
The ROI of wind power, although measurable based on money-alone, cannot be quantified accurately due to the subjective and political nature of energy in general. Sustainability principles indicate that wind-power has a better return of investment over its life due to the elimination of most of the political, future power uncertainties, and environmental concerns. Also, construction and maintenance requirements remains in the intended area providing jobs and increased local economy - further benefiting the overal return of investment (but again, cannot be measured). Knowing the benefits (local and global), taking account of the risks (micro and macro), weighing the investment potential and opportunity, a more clear picture of viability can be assessed and immediately implemented.
For more information, refer to the following:
The American Wind Energy Association
We value your opinion - what do you think about this page?