Experimental Study of a Small Scale Hydraulic System for Mechanical Wind Energy Conversion into Heat

Tadas Zdankus, Jurgita Cerneckiene, Andrius Jurelionis and Juozas Vaiciunas
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Tadas Zdankus: Department of Building Energy Systems, Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas 51367, Lithuania
Jurgita Cerneckiene: Department of Building Energy Systems, Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas 51367, Lithuania
Andrius Jurelionis: Department of Building Energy Systems, Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas 51367, Lithuania
Juozas Vaiciunas: Department of Building Energy Systems, Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas 51367, Lithuania

Sustainability, 2016, vol. 8, issue 7, 1-18

Abstract: Significant potential for reducing thermal energy consumption in buildings of moderate and cold climate countries lies within wind energy utilisation. Unlike solar irradiation, character of wind speeds in Central and Northern Europe correspond to the actual thermal energy demand in buildings. However, mechanical wind energy undergoes transformation into electrical energy before being actually used as thermal energy in most wind energy applications. The study presented in this paper deals with hydraulic systems, designed for small-scale applications to eliminate the intermediate energy transformation as it converts mechanical wind energy into heat directly. The prototype unit containing a pump, flow control valve, oil tank and piping was developed and tested under laboratory conditions. Results of the experiments showed that the prototype system is highly efficient and adjustable to a broad wind velocity range by modifying the definite hydraulic system resistance. Development of such small-scale replicable units has the potential to promote “bottom-up” solutions for the transition to a zero carbon society.

Keywords: low carbon technologies; energy efficient buildings; building heating; wind energy; heat generation; hydraulic system (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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