Hybrid input-output table method for socioeconomic and environmental assessment of a wind power generation system

Input-output (I-O) analysis, an economic approach using an industrial commodity table, can be applied to analyze the inventories of energy and environmental burdens associated with a given product. The study thus uses I-O analysis to examine the effect of a wind power generation system on the environment, the energy sector, and the economy. New I-O table sections are developed based on actual data on wind turbine production processes. They cover wind power generation-related technology sectors such as manufacturing for system parts and construction. Both energy savings and CO2 emissions reductions are estimated under constant electricity demand, including the demand for wind power, by adding these seven sectors to a Japanese I-O table for 2005. The study also examines the resulting production and added value for all sectors related to wind power generation via lifecycle I-O analysis. The positive production and added value effects outweigh the negative effects of partially substituting electricity from wind power for conventionally generated electricity.