Title: Thermo-economic modelling of renewable energy systems. Case study for wind farm

Authors: Mohamed Habib Sellami

Addresses: Unity of Thermal Radiation, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, El Manar 2, 2090 Tunisia; Superior Institute of Rural Engineering, University Jendouba, Medjez El Bab, 9070, Tunisia; Institute of Research and High Agricultural Education, 30, Rue Alain Savary, 1002 Tunis Belvédère –Tunisie; Tunisian Association of Science, Technology and Development, PB 380 Bélvédère, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia

Abstract: In this paper we have developed a model to optimise the thermo economic performance of the renewable energy systems functioning. Applications for the Aeolian system and wind farm in the case of Tunisia will be detailed. In the beginning we have reminded the basic equations to conceptualise and to size the system so we can estimate the direct costs of every system and to evaluate later the investment impact. The thermal transfer inside and the energy produced were formulated. Also, we have considered in our calculus the environomic in order to quantify the indirect cost when valorising the renewable energy. Finally global thermo-economic formulations were provided and results for the wind farms in Tunisia were signalled.

Keywords: investment; wind energy; wind power; wind farms; thermoeconomic performance; environmental impact; wind turbines; turbine blades; nacelle; hub; operating costs; maintenance costs; environmental costs; CO2; carbon dioxide; renewable energy policy; Tunisia.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETP.2015.069096

International Journal of Energy Technology and Policy, 2015 Vol.11 No.1, pp.53 - 67

Accepted: 25 Dec 2014
Published online: 27 Apr 2015 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article