Economics of Small Wind Power Plants in Urban Settings: An Empirical Investigation for Germany

Benno Grieser (), Reinhard Madlener and Yasin Sunak ()
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Benno Grieser: RWTH Aachen University, Postal: Templergraben 55, 52056 Aachen, Germany, http://www.eonerc.rwth-aachen.de/fcn
Yasin Sunak: E.ON Energy Research Center, Future Energy Consumer Needs and Behavior (FCN), http://www.eonerc.rwth-aachen.de/fcn

No 1/2013, FCN Working Papers from E.ON Energy Research Center, Future Energy Consumer Needs and Behavior (FCN)

Abstract: In this paper we investigate the location-specific attractiveness of small wind turbines (SWT) for private households. In order to assess the economic viability of an investment in SWT, we analyze a set of scenarios that incorporate different types of SWT, various storage system options, support schemes, and specific urban surroundings for the case of Germany. As urban structures substantially influence local wind speeds, and hence the potential energy yield of a turbine, the potential location of the SWT in the urban area is crucial for the economic feasibility. We find that SWT today are only profitable under very favorable conditions, the most important parameters being prevailing wind speeds and the location’s degree of urbanization. In most cases, the coupling of the SWT to a storage system is crucial for cost-effectiveness. A feed-in tariff system specifically adapted to the SWT technology is found to be an important driver of diffusion. Further research needs are identified in the field of long-term performance and yield projections for SWT. Based on the findings from our study, significant SWT diffusion can be expected, if at all, only in coastal suburban and rural areas.

Keywords: small wind turbine; energy storage; urban environment; feed-in tariffs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O18 Q42 Q48 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 41 pages
Date: 2013-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ene, nep-eur, nep-reg and nep-sbm
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ris:fcnwpa:2013_001

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