Investigation and Evaluation of Primary Energy from Wind Turbines for a Nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB)

Abstract

In order to fulfill the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) requirements regarding the reduction of energy consumption in buildings, great attention is paid to primary energy consumption. Wind energy is considered a type of primary energy. The analysis of the literature has revealed that wind energy is evaluated by different methods. Therefore, the aim of this article is to calculate the effect of the parameters of wind sources and wind speed on the primary energy factor of wind turbines. In order to achieve this aim, the primary energy factor of investigated 100 wind turbines and 11 wind farms operating in Lithuania was calculated. The results of the investigation show that the difference in the non-renewable primary energy factors between wind turbines with regard to their capacity is 35%. In addition, primary energy factor (PEF) values depend on geographic location and climate conditions. This paper provides a recommendation that the EU energy efficiency and renewable energy directives and regulations of all EU member states should use the same or, at least, a very similar methodology for the calculation of the primary energy factors of renewable and non-renewable energy sources.