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Wind power: Facts debunk CO₂ myths

A video is currently making the rounds that focuses on the environmental impact of wind turbines.

Author: Claudia Spiess

The claims sounded shocking: the concrete foundations of wind turbines would produce a disproportionate amount of CO₂ and wind turbines would therefore have a negative overall carbon footprint. A widely shared Facebook video by climate skeptic Anthony Lee explains in detail how much concrete is needed for the foundation of a wind turbine. At the same time, the efficiency of the systems is portrayed as allegedly low and it is doubted that the construction of wind turbines actually saves CO₂.

This post is spreading on Twitter: “The foundation for a wind turbine needs…”

But before you panic, let’s take a look at the “wind power” facts.

ClaimsFact check
The energy-intensive concrete foundation of wind turbines causes a lot of CO₂.Incorrect. After a year, wind turbines generated more energy than it cost to produce them.
1500 cubic meters of concrete are required for the foundation of a wind turbine.Correct. The amount of concrete is realistic for systems of this size.
The concrete foundation of a wind turbine releases 315,000 kilograms of CO₂.Almost correct. Experts estimate around 300,000 kilograms of CO₂.
Wind turbines only have a “productivity” of 18 to 22 percent.This roughly corresponds to the actual values ​​of around 20.5% for onshore wind turbines.
CO₂ emissions from the foundation of a wind turbine are offset by operation in less than a month.Correct, according to experts.
The energy break-even point of a wind turbine is 6.5 months.This applies to systems operating in low wind conditions on land and may vary depending on the location.
Wind turbines produce 17.7 grams of CO₂ equivalent per kilowatt hour.Correct. They are significantly more climate-friendly compared to other energy sources such as brown coal.

Wind turbines: A sustainable solution

Studies have shown that after just one year, wind turbines generated more energy than was needed for their production, including the concrete foundation. This may sound surprising, but the numbers speak for themselves. It's time to dispel misconceptions and reveal the truth about wind energy.

Concrete foundations and CO₂: The reality

A significant amount of concrete is required for the foundation of a wind turbine, approximately 1500 cubic meters. This leads to CO₂ emissions, which are, however, compensated for within a month by operating the system. Experts agree that this amount of concrete is realistic and has no long-term negative impact on the environment.

The positive ecological balance of wind power

Experts and independent reports unanimously confirm that wind turbines have a positive ecological balance and actively contribute to reducing CO₂ emissions. The productivity of wind turbines is around 20 percent of the possible maximum output, which is due to the fluctuating wind conditions. Nevertheless, they make a decisive contribution to climate protection.

Wind power vs. other energy sources

If you compare the CO₂ emissions per kilowatt hour generated, it becomes clear that wind energy is one of the most environmentally friendly options. In comparison, nuclear energy produces more CO₂ equivalents per kilowatt hour, natural gas produces even more, and lignite is the real source of dirt.

Conclusion

MIMIKAMA

The facts speak for themselves: wind energy is a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy source, wind turbines are climate-friendly. The viral video's claims have been debunked and reality shows that wind turbines play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gases. It’s time to expose misinformation and spread the truth about wind energy.

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Source:

AFP

This might also be of interest:
The conspiracy surrounding urban climate measurements and the German Weather Service (DWD)
When facts go overboard: the flow of denial and the ignored noise
Misleading graphics suggest a decline in climate-related deaths - a detailed analysis

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Notes:

1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication
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The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual articles (not fact checks) were created using machine help and
were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )


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