NET ENERGY ANALYSIS OF NUCLEAR AND WIND POWER SYSTEMS

The general view is that, as the fossil fuels are depleted, rising prices will bring forth alternate sources of energy such as nuclear and solar. Such reasoning ignores the feedback energy needed for energy transformation.; The following question is addressed: "Can nuclear power and wind power (a form of solar energy) systems yield enough energy to replicate themselves out of their own energy and leave a residual of net energy in order to provide society with its needs and wants?"; Evidence is provided showing that there is a proportionality between the real monetary cost and energy-inputs. The lifecycle, economic cost of the energy-transformation entity is the basis for calculating the amount of energy needed, as inputs, to sustain energy transformation.; This study is unique as follows: Others were based on preliminary cost and performance estimates. This study takes advantage of updated cost and performance data. Second, most prior studies did not include the energy cost of labor, government, and financial services, transmission and distribution, and overhead in arriving at energy-inputs. This study includes all economic costs as a basis for calculating energy-input estimates.; Both static (single-entity analysis) and dynamic (total systems over time) analyses were done and the procedures are shown in detail. It was found that the net-energy yield will be very small and most likely negative. System costs would must be substantially lowered or efficiencies materially improved before these systems can become sources of enough net energy to drive the United States economic system at even the present level of economic output. It is concluded that both technologies are roundabout ways of depleting fossil fuels.; It is recognized that both systems provide electricity, a high-quality energy form. However, when the fossil fuels are depleted, it is assumed that society will still require a source of thermal energy. Neither nuclear power nor wind power will be such a source. If other energy-transformation technologies have similar net-energy characteristics, the implications are ominous. Some of those implications are discussed.