Advanced methodology for feasibility studies on building-mounted wind turbines installation in urban environment: Applying CFD analysis

Abstract

In recent years, the world has been experiencing a technological revolution that is transforming the energy sector around the world, and Mexico is no exception. Among these technologies, small wind turbines (SWTs) appear to be promising. This paper presents a methodology according to the specific Task 27 of the International Energy Agency (IEA) in order to improve the wind resource assessment in the urban environment by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Many problems that would help boost the use of this technology are still not addressed including wind resource assessment in the urban environment. Among these important issues are the energy yield estimation of SWTs in the urban zones, as well as the effects on the electricity supplied by the turbines in the distribution system. The objective is to present an easy-to-follow methodology, which permits the application of diverse CFD methods and software to assess the installation of SWTs in urban zones. This feasibility study on estimating the wind resource through CFD allows the opportunity to supply local electricity to buildings or public lighting systems. This methodology is based on the insertion of SWTs, in the urban environment; the SWTs are selected based on a market study of these technologies.