Evaluation of wind energy potential in a university campus

Abstract

Today, zero energy campus concept is a popular topic. Zero energy attempts are important for reducing global warming effect and greenhouse gas emissions. In the current study, wind characteristics and wind energy potential of Yildiz Technical University Davupasa Campus were investigated. Data from wind measurement station (10 m height) in campus area was examined. Due to the gaps in the measured data, one year long data was lumped by using all the measured data (25 months). The lumped data was used in all energy analyses. Mean wind speed was calculated as 3.45 m/s at 10 m and north northeast (30 degrees) was defined as prevailing wind direction. Annual wind energy production and capacity factor for Fuhrlander FL 30 (30 kW-27 m hub height) wind turbine were estimated as 28.87 MWh and 10.9%, respectively. According to these results, an economically feasible wind energy project seems not possible. However, a possible wind energy project in Davutpasa campus will help to raise awareness of people. Therefore, it will help and promote to catch the aimed future wind energy capacity of Turkey.