Investigation of the sustainability and profitability of small wind turbines

Abstract

In the past decades, extensive and exhaustive research has been done on the analysis of the operation of large wind turbines, but detailed analyses on small wind turbines are still rare. In addition, two current situations are considered: i) the exhaustion of the possibilities for designing new large wind fields, and ii) the energy crisis, which is particularly current in Europe, so it comes naturally to analyse the possibilities for exploitation of small wind turbines. The paper analyses five potential locations in North Macedonia. Based on three-year measurement period at those locations, the probability distribution of wind speeds was obtained and integrated with the power curve for a specific turbine, the electricity production of four different, commercially available, small wind turbines was investigated. Three wind turbines are horizontal axes wind turbines, with installed power in the range 3-50 kWp and one is vertical axis wind turbine with installed power of 4 kWp. In accordance with the Rulebook for amending and supplementing the rulebook for renewable energy sources from June 2022, calculations have been made for the profitability of energy production from grid-connected small wind turbines. Finally, a graphical comparative analysis of different models of small wind turbines for all locations is presented, and conclusions and further directions and recommendations for optimal utilization of wind energy are given.