Assessment of small-scale wind turbines for domestic use in different situations

Abstract

This study focuses on the potential of wind energy systems installed at residential premises in particular locations from three different countries that are climatically diverse and economically viable for achieving self-sufficient electricity production. The three selected locations were Lebanon, Turkey, and Germany. At each location different simulations were tested using HOMER Pro software starting from wind turbines to combining them with grid that could aid in case of shortage of electricity generated by the turbine and adding batteries for energy storage. The most cost-efficient configuration was determined by simulation and optimization. The outcomes showed that the whole system had been successfully implemented and it fulfilled its purpose of providing electricity for the average household with an LCOE of $0.07334/kWh, -$0.01705/kWh, and $0.2044/kWh at each of Oldenburg, Foça and Hamat respectively. The wind turbine yearly total production was the maximum in Germany with 10,657 kWh, Turkey came second not far from Germany with 10,223 kWh while Lebanon had the lowest production with 7,527 kWh. Lebanon’s NPC of the system was most expensive with $22,381.13 while Turkey had the least expensive one with $-14,200.34 and Germany in between with $13,638.7 for the system. Economically, some systems were meant to witness failure due to the high rates of inflation in some of the countries. This finding suggests that not only climate potential could affect the success and failure of system, but other parameters could also have huge effect on whether it is feasible or not to implement such systems.

Keywords

• Wind turbines
• Electricity
• Lebanon
• Turkey
• Germany

References

1. [1] Bojek P. Wind Electricity – Analysis. IEA, 2022, https://www.iea.org/reports/wind-electricity (Accessed April, 2023).
2. [2] Wagner HJ. Introduction to wind energy systems. EPJ Web of Conferences, 2020, 246, 00004.
3. [3] Raadal HL, Vold BI, Myhr A, Nygaard TA. GHG emissions and energy performance of offshore wind power. Renewable Energy 2014; 66: 314–324.
4. [4] Wiser R, Rand J, Seel J, Beiter P, Baker E, Lantz E, Gilman P. Expert elicitation survey predicts 37% to 49% declines in wind energy costs by 2050. Nature Energy 2021; 6(5): 555–565.
5. [5] Nazir MS, Ali N, Bilal M, Iqbal HMN. Potential environmental impacts of wind energy development: A global perspective. Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health 2020; 13: 85–90.
6. [6] Shohag MAS, Hammel EC, Olawale DO, Okoli OI. Damage mitigation techniques in wind turbine blades: A review. Wind Engineering 2017; 41(3): 185–210.
7. [7] Zhang Z, Kuang L, Han Z, Zhou D, Zhao Y, Bao Y, Duan L, Tu J, Chen Y, Chen M. Comparative analysis of bent and basic winglets on performance improvement of horizontal axis wind turbines. Energy 2023; 281.
8. [8] Moon H, Jeong J, Park S, Ha K, Jeong J. Numerical and experimental validation of vortex generator effect on power performance improvement in MW-class wind turbine blade. Renewable Energy 2023; 212: 443-454.

9. [9] Lin Y, Chiu P. Influence of leading-edge protuberances of fx63 airfoil for horizontal-axis wind turbine on power performance. Sustainable Energy Technologies 2020; 38.
10. [10] Li Y, Huang X, Tee KF, Li Q, Wu XP. Comparative study of onshore and offshore wind characteristics and wind energy potentials: A case study for southeast coastal region of China. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments 2020; 39.
11. [11] Bilir L, İmir M, Devrim Y, Albostan A. An investigation on wind energy potential and small scale wind turbine performance at İncek region – Ankara, Turkey. Energy Conversion and Management 2015; 103: 910– 923.
12. [12] Bortolini M, Gamberi M, Graziani A, Manzini R, Pilati F. Performance and viability analysis of small wind turbines in the European Union. Renewable Energy 2014; 62: 629–639.
13. [13] Li Z, Reynolds A, Boyle F. Domestic integration of micro-renewable electricity generation in Ireland – The current status and economic reality. Renewable Energy 2014; 64: 244–254.
14. [14] Jung C, Schindler D, Grau L. Achieving Germany’s wind energy expansion target with an improved wind turbine siting approach. Energy Conversion and Management 2018; 173: 383–398.
15. [15] Arslan H, Baltaci H, Akkoyunlu BO, Karanfil S, Tayanc M. Wind speed variability and wind power potential over Turkey: Case studies for Çanakkale and Istanbul. Renewable Energy 2020; 145: 1020–1032.
16. [16] Kassem Y, Çamur H, Abdalla MAHA, Erdem, BD, Al-ani AMR. Evaluation of wind energy potential for different regions in Lebanon based on NASA wind speed database. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 2021; 926(1).
17. [17] Weigt H. Germany’s wind energy: The potential for fossil capacity replacement and cost saving. Applied Energy 2009; 86(10): 1857–1863.
18. [18] Bölük G, Mert M. The renewable energy, growth and environmental Kuznets curve in Turkey: An ARDL approach. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2015; 52: 587–595.
19. [19] Global Wind Atlas. https://globalwindatlas.info/en (Accessed January 3, 2023).
20. [20] NASA Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources. https://power.larc.nasa.gov/ (Accessed January 3, 2023).
21. [21] UL Solutions Wind Navigator. https://windnavigator.ul-renewables.com/ (Accessed January 3, 2023).