Selection and Classification of Small Wind Turbines for Local Energy Systems: Balancing Efficiency, Climate Conditions, and User Comfort

Waldemar Moska (), Leszek Piechowski and Andrzej Łebkowski
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Waldemar Moska: Department of Physical Culture, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Kazimierza Górskiego 1 Str., 80-336 Gdansk, Poland
Leszek Piechowski: Department Renewable Energy Sources and Electromobility, Gdynia Maritime University, Morska 83 Str., 81-225 Gdynia, Poland
Andrzej Łebkowski: Department Renewable Energy Sources and Electromobility, Gdynia Maritime University, Morska 83 Str., 81-225 Gdynia, Poland

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-33

Abstract: Micro and small wind turbines (MAWTs) are increasingly integrated into residential and prosumer hybrid energy systems. However, their real-world performance often falls short of catalog specifications due to mismatched wind resources, siting limitations, and insufficient attention to human comfort. This paper presents a comprehensive decision-support framework for selecting the type and scale of MAWTs under actual local conditions. The energy assessment module combines aerodynamic performance scaling, wind speed-frequency modeling based on Weibull distributions, turbulence intensity adjustments, and component-level efficiency factors for both horizontal and vertical axis turbines. The framework addresses three key design objectives: efficiency—aligning turbine geometry and control strategies with local wind regimes to maximize energy yield; comfort—evaluating candidate designs for noise emissions, shadow flicker, and visual impact near buildings; and climate adaptation—linking turbine siting, hub height, and rotor type to terrain roughness, turbulence, and built environment characteristics. Case studies from low and moderate wind locations in Central Europe demonstrate how multi-criteria filtering avoids oversizing, improves the autonomy of hybrid PV–wind systems, and identifies configurations that may exceed permissible limits for noise or flicker. The proposed methodology enables evidence-based deployment of MAWTs in decentralized energy systems that balance technical performance, resilience, and occupant well-being.

Keywords: micro and small wind turbines (MAWT); hybrid energy systems; wind resource assessment; turbine siting and optimization; user comfort and acoustic impact; climate-resilient design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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