A case study: Small scale wind turbine system selection and economic viability

Year 2018, Volume: 5 Issue: 4, 161 - 167, 31.12.2018

Melike Karasu Asnaz

https://doi.org/10.31593/ijeat.464059

Abstract

Increasing electricity production costs coupled with rising energy prices drive people to become energy independent. Wind energy systems can be one of the most cost-effective home-based renewable energy systems. A small-scale wind turbine can reduce the electricity bill slightly or up to 100% depending on the quality of wind resource of the site. More people across the world are seeking a solution against increasing electricity rates and a way to harvest their local wind resources. The aim of the study is to analyse an economic viability of a small-scale wind turbine system for residential use in southern Turkey. For this objective, firstly, an actual onsite wind data is evaluated. Five different on-grid small-scale wind energy production system alternatives which required to meet the electricity demand are offered. Performance of each turbine are examined; cost and benefit analysis based on cash flow, net present value, levelised cost of energy and payback periods are calculated. Recommendations are provided to the investor to make a decision on the optimum wind turbine selection based on performance and economic viability for the given site. At last, an overview of what is feasible on the preferred site is presented.

Keywords

small scale wind turbines, wind energy economics, turbine selection

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