A Novel 10 kW Vertical Axis Wind Tree Design: Economic Feasibility Assessment

Duong Minh Ngoc, Kuaanan Techato, Le Duc Niem, Nguyen Thi Hai Yen, Nguyen Van Dat and Montri Luengchavanon
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Duong Minh Ngoc: Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai 90110, Thailand
Kuaanan Techato: Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai 90110, Thailand
Le Duc Niem: Faculty of Economics, Tay Nguyen University, Buon Ma Thuot 630000, Vietnam
Nguyen Thi Hai Yen: Faculty of Economics, Tay Nguyen University, Buon Ma Thuot 630000, Vietnam
Nguyen Van Dat: Faculty of Economics, Tay Nguyen University, Buon Ma Thuot 630000, Vietnam
Montri Luengchavanon: Sustainable Energy Management Program, Wind Energy and Energy Storage Centre (WEESYC), Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai 90110, Thailand

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 22, 1-22

Abstract: A novel, small-scale vertical axis wind turbine tree was designed using turbines combining both Darrieus and Savonius blades. We tested for economic viability using wind data collected at a site in Surat Thani, Thailand. The Weibull distribution and Monte Carlo modeling with financial indices (Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and Simple Payback Period (SPP)) were used to analyze data. We found that monthly mean wind speeds varied from 2.35 m/s in October to 2.84 m/s in February, corresponding to a wind power of 28.43 W/m 2 and 42.68 W/m 2 . The average annual power output was 1446.1 kWh for May 2019 to April 2021. Results show that for turbine cut-in to cut-out speeds (2 m/s to 15 m/s), the prototype has potential economic feasibility (NPV > 0 for 64.93%), although the small capacity of the wind tree, in combination with the low average wind speed at the Surat Thani test site, showed a lack of economic viability at this specific location (NPV = USD ? 20,946.29). A higher-wind-speed location (Chiang Mai) showed viability, especially at a 10 m height (NPV > 0 for 84.83%). We discuss potential conditions that would make broader use of the prototype feasible.

Keywords: vertical axis wind turbine; wind energy; economic feasibility; sensitivity analysis; Monte Carlo simulation; Thailand (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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