Small wind systems technology assessment. State of the art and near term goals

Technical Report · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6736928· OSTI ID:6736928

Bollmeier, W. S.; Butterfield, C. P.; Cingo, R. P.; Dodge, D. M.; Hansen, A. C.; Shepherd, D. C.; Tangler, J. L.

Commercially available small wind conversion systems (SWECS), DOE-funded prototype SWECS, and possible second generation advanced concepts are assessed from the standpoint of several key Figures-of-Merit including cost of energy, dollars per pound, kilowatt hours per year per pound, and kilowatt hours per year per square meter of rotor area. The reliability, performance, and installation and maintenance costs of these systems are also assessed. It is concluded that current SWECS, while nearing the threshold of competitiveness with conventional energy sources, are inhibited from reaching their lowest cost potential by the use of off-the-shelf components, less than optimum rotor designs, and (in some cases) overly complicated control systems. The comparison of improved DOE prototypes and possible advanced concept SWECS shows that, in many size ranges, considerable reductions in energy cost can be achieved.

• Research Organization: Rockwell International Corp., Golden, CO (USA). Rocky Flats Plant
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP03533
• OSTI ID: 6736928
• Report Number(s): RFP-3136/3533/80/18
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

17 WIND ENERGY
170400* -- Wind Energy-- Economic
Industrial
& Business Aspects
170602 -- Wind Energy Engineering-- Turbine Design & Operation
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COST
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
MACHINERY
MAINTENANCE
PERFORMANCE
POWER GENERATION
RELIABILITY
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
WIND TURBINES