The Dependence of the Optimal Size of a Wind Turbine Tower on Wind Profile in Height

Vladimirs Vorohobovs, Andrey Zakharoff

Abstract


In this article the necessity of measuring wind at its different heights is discussed. The economical optimization of tower height is impossible without such measurement. In places where land is relatively flat, for example, in deserts or swamps, smaller wind turbines are more profitable, while in forest zones bigger turbines are more profitable. In both cases, to make a correct decision on the optimal tower height, it is very important to know exactly the wind profile law. Even for places where land is expensive, the measurement of the wind at different heights can influence the correct decision regarding the optimal size and number of needed turbines for getting the required power. For places with cheaper land, this dependence is even stronger. This analysis refutes a common misconception: “the bigger – the better”.

Keywords:
payback period; return on investment; wind energy conversion; wind profile power law

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DOI: 10.2478/tae-2019-0007

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Applied Energy  vol: 348  first page: 121402  year: 2023  
doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.121402

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