Wind and solar energy storage power station payback period

What is energy payback time?

When considering different renewable energy systems, the energy payback time is essential. It describes the amount of time it takes for the solar module to create as much energy as was used to create itself. In order to determine the energy payback time the embodied energy of the system must be estimated .

What is energy payback time (EPBT)?

Energy payback time (EPBT) is defined as the duration required for an energy technology to generate an amount of energy equivalent to its life cycle energy requirements. How useful is this definition? You might find these chapters and articles relevant to this topic. 2023, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews Furqan Jamil, Mehdi Khiadani

How is energy payback measured?

Alternatively, energy payback may be measured by ‘number of times payback’ – meaning, the amount of energy paid back to society versus the energy needed in the lifetime of that turbine. Over the life cycle of a V117-4.2 MW wind power plant, it will return 50 times more energy back to society than it consumed.

How much energy does a wind power plant return to society?

Over the life cycle of a V117-4.2 MW wind power plant, it will return 50 times more energy back to society than it consumed. That means that when 1 kWh is invested in a wind energy solution, you get 50 kWh in return. For coal, however, if you invest 1kWh you typically get below 0.4 kWh in return.