Technoeconomic analysis of electricity generation from wind energy in Kutahya, Turkey

Conventional energy usage has various environmental effects that cause global warming. Renewable energy sources are thus more favorable because they have nearly zero emission. Wind energy, among the various renewable sources, finds increasing usage, concurrent with developing technology. In addition, wind is an infinite energy source. In this study, the electricity-generation ability of Kutahya has been investigated. With this aim, wind data, from the measurement station located on Bunelek Hill, Kutahya, have been collected for a period of 36 months (July 2001–June 2004). From the collected data, the electricity generated has been calculated for different types of wind turbines. The calculations have been based on the electricity requirement of the main campus of the Dumlupinar University. Finally, the economic evaluation has been analyzed using life-cycle cost analysis. For the analysis of the economical aspects, the social and CO2 costs have also been taken into account.