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.