Carbon footprint and energy payback time of a micro wind turbine for urban decarbonization planning

Micro wind power systems may serve as a source of low-carbon electricity that can be integrated into cities as opposed to utility-scale wind turbines. However, the electricity generation performance of wind turbines of all capacities is highly dependent on conditions at an installation site, which can vary widely even within the same municipal region. We assess the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions (LCGHGE) and energy payback time of a novel microturbine of 2.4-kW capacity with location-specific environmental data. Potential electricity generation was modeled in the areas surrounding two US cities with ambitious decarbonization efforts and abundant wind energy resources in different climates: Austin, Texas and Minneapolis, Minnesota. The effects of system lifetime and hub height on the potential electricity generation were investigated, which identified trade-offs in higher electricity generation for taller turbines yet higher LCGHGE from greater amounts of materials needed. The LCGHGE of micro wind modeled for Austin and Minneapolis range from 53 to 293 g CO₂eq/kWh, which is higher than utility-scale wind energy but still lower than fossil fuel sources of electricity. This study highlights the variability in the LCGHGE and energy payback time of micro wind power across locations, demonstrating the value of geospatial analyses for life cycle climate change impact estimates.