Using a GIS to enable an economic, land use and energy output comparison between small wind powered turbines and large-scale wind farms: the case of Oslo, Norway.
(2023) In Master Thesis in Geographical Information Science GISM01 20231Dept of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
- Abstract
- Responding to an identified knowledge gap, the study aims to determine if smaller wind turbines located on top of existing urban buildings are more resource efficient (land utilization and economically) than large scale wind farms. To answer this question, using a GIS, the resource efficiency of the Roan wind farm in Northern Norway was compared to a theoretical modeled installation of small-scale wind turbines on top of buildings within a 2km radius study zone in central Oslo.
This research is quite timely, with recent community backlashes against the ecological and lifestyle impacts of large wind farms and people now considering personally sustainable alternatives to large scale wind farms including using smaller wind turbines and... (More) - Responding to an identified knowledge gap, the study aims to determine if smaller wind turbines located on top of existing urban buildings are more resource efficient (land utilization and economically) than large scale wind farms. To answer this question, using a GIS, the resource efficiency of the Roan wind farm in Northern Norway was compared to a theoretical modeled installation of small-scale wind turbines on top of buildings within a 2km radius study zone in central Oslo.
This research is quite timely, with recent community backlashes against the ecological and lifestyle impacts of large wind farms and people now considering personally sustainable alternatives to large scale wind farms including using smaller wind turbines and on-site power generation. It is anticipated that a study of this type using a GIS will inform better decision making within both governments and the private business sector.
To create the model, a GIS was used to combine a range of map layers supplied by the Norwegian Mapping Authority to digitize the buildings within the urban study zone. This process included an estimation of roof areas and a suitability selection based on the elevation of the buildings, resulting in turbines placed across the study area. These layers were combined with turbine and wind speed mapping data to estimate power outputs and 20-year life cycle costing data for the turbines. From this modelled installation, a GIS was used to calculate the kWh per m2 and profit or loss per kWh which were then compared to the same 20-year data for the Roan Wind farm
In the study there were data limitations due to accuracy issues of the GIS processes engaged, the problematic nature of modeling and estimating wind speeds in urban areas and a reliance on a manual digitization process. However, the results indicate that the modeled installation in Oslo does use land more efficiently than the Roan wind farm to generate power, however, it was not as economically viable as the wind farm. Of significance is that if only those buildings greater than 60 meters high in the study area were used to generate power that this would result in a small profit per kWh produced, which increased with building heights. However, this was still not comparable to the profits achieved by the wind farm.
Recommendations for further research include the potential for high resolution 3d modelling of the study area and the testing of on-site turbine installations. Of note is a potential study on the use of small-scale wind turbines coupled directly to heat pumps to supply heating and cooling requirements, this later application holds great promise for the future.
Advisor: Mitch Selander Master degree project 30 credits in Geographical Information Sciences, 2023 Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University Thesis nr 155 (Less) - Popular Abstract
- In Norway there has been environmental and social concerns raised by communities who are opposed to the take up of large tracts of regional land to install large scale wind farms with impacts on the rights of local traditional people and fragile ecosystems. Coupled with this backlash is the increased efficiency of smaller wind turbines and their potential to be installed in an urban setting. This presents a timely proposition, could the use of small wind turbines in cities be a viable alternative to the generation of power through large scale wind farms?
The study attempts to determine if smaller wind turbines located on top of existing urban buildings are more resource efficient (land utilization and economically) than large scale wind... (More) - In Norway there has been environmental and social concerns raised by communities who are opposed to the take up of large tracts of regional land to install large scale wind farms with impacts on the rights of local traditional people and fragile ecosystems. Coupled with this backlash is the increased efficiency of smaller wind turbines and their potential to be installed in an urban setting. This presents a timely proposition, could the use of small wind turbines in cities be a viable alternative to the generation of power through large scale wind farms?
The study attempts to determine if smaller wind turbines located on top of existing urban buildings are more resource efficient (land utilization and economically) than large scale wind farms. In order to answer this question, the resource efficiency of the Roan wind farm in Northern Norway is compared to a theoretical modelled installation of small-scale wind turbines on top of buildings within a 2km radius study zone in central Oslo.
Using a GIS, which is a computer-based mapping and information system, a range of maps were utilized to digitize the buildings within the urban study zone, this process included an estimation of roof areas and the elevation of the buildings. These layers were combined through the GIS with wind speed mapping data and the power outputs for the selected turbine type at different elevations and wind speeds. Using this data, the power outputs, costs and efficiencies of the turbines installed on buildings within the study zone were compared with the wind farm installation.
It is noted in the study there were data limitations because of accuracy issues of the GIS processes engaged, the problematic nature of modelling and estimating wind speeds in urban areas and a reliance on a manual digitization process. However, it is possible to conclude from the results that that the modelled urban installation in Oslo does use land more efficiently than the Roan wind farm to generate power; however, it was not as economically viable.
Of significance is the finding that if only those buildings greater than 60 meters in the study area were used to generate power that this would result in a small profit per kWh produced, with the profits increasing with building heights. This was still not comparable to the profits achieved by the wind farm,
Recommendations for further in-depth research are made and include the potential for high resolution 3d modelling of the study area and the testing of on-site turbine installations. Of note is a potential study on the use of small-scale wind turbines coupled directly to heat pumps to supply a buildings heating and cooling requirements, this later application holds great promise for the future.
Advisor: Mitch Selander Master degree project 30 credits in Geographical Information Sciences, 2023 Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University Thesis nr 155 (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9108603
- author
- Potter, Colin LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- GISM01 20231
- year
- 2023
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Geography, GIS, Wind power, Renewable energy sources, urban wind energy, urban areas, planning, vertical axis wind turbines, comparative studies, urban integrated energy systems, Oslo, Roan
- publication/series
- Master Thesis in Geographical Information Science
- report number
- 155
- language
- English
- id
- 9108603
- date added to LUP
- 2023-01-24 16:09:39
- date last changed
- 2023-01-24 16:09:39
@misc{9108603,
abstract = {{Responding to an identified knowledge gap, the study aims to determine if smaller wind turbines located on top of existing urban buildings are more resource efficient (land utilization and economically) than large scale wind farms. To answer this question, using a GIS, the resource efficiency of the Roan wind farm in Northern Norway was compared to a theoretical modeled installation of small-scale wind turbines on top of buildings within a 2km radius study zone in central Oslo.
This research is quite timely, with recent community backlashes against the ecological and lifestyle impacts of large wind farms and people now considering personally sustainable alternatives to large scale wind farms including using smaller wind turbines and on-site power generation. It is anticipated that a study of this type using a GIS will inform better decision making within both governments and the private business sector.
To create the model, a GIS was used to combine a range of map layers supplied by the Norwegian Mapping Authority to digitize the buildings within the urban study zone. This process included an estimation of roof areas and a suitability selection based on the elevation of the buildings, resulting in turbines placed across the study area. These layers were combined with turbine and wind speed mapping data to estimate power outputs and 20-year life cycle costing data for the turbines. From this modelled installation, a GIS was used to calculate the kWh per m2 and profit or loss per kWh which were then compared to the same 20-year data for the Roan Wind farm
In the study there were data limitations due to accuracy issues of the GIS processes engaged, the problematic nature of modeling and estimating wind speeds in urban areas and a reliance on a manual digitization process. However, the results indicate that the modeled installation in Oslo does use land more efficiently than the Roan wind farm to generate power, however, it was not as economically viable as the wind farm. Of significance is that if only those buildings greater than 60 meters high in the study area were used to generate power that this would result in a small profit per kWh produced, which increased with building heights. However, this was still not comparable to the profits achieved by the wind farm.
Recommendations for further research include the potential for high resolution 3d modelling of the study area and the testing of on-site turbine installations. Of note is a potential study on the use of small-scale wind turbines coupled directly to heat pumps to supply heating and cooling requirements, this later application holds great promise for the future.
Advisor: Mitch Selander Master degree project 30 credits in Geographical Information Sciences, 2023 Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University Thesis nr 155}},
author = {{Potter, Colin}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
series = {{Master Thesis in Geographical Information Science}},
title = {{Using a GIS to enable an economic, land use and energy output comparison between small wind powered turbines and large-scale wind farms: the case of Oslo, Norway.}},
year = {{2023}},
}