Deploying Small Urban Wind Turbines
(2023) U Circle — Location: UCLouvain (23.November.2023)
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- Authors
Stephan, André 
- Abstract
- Motivation and gap: Multiple barriers exist facing a successful deployment of Small Urban Wind Turbines (SUWTs) for wind energy harvesting. The uncertainties linked with the estimations of the wind energy potential, as well as the lack of social acceptance, are not negligible. Particularly, strategies to accurately and effectively model the wind energy resources available, as well as the potential visual or noise pollution induced by SUWTs are yet to be defined. Prior literature has highlighted the importance of visual and noise effects but has focused mainly on rural wind turbines. Methods: This research focuses on the estimation of the wind resource based on improved Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and considering both visual and noise-related environmental effects. CFD is a powerful tool that can be used to establish wind patterns and aid in an accurate assessment of the wind energy potential. Knowledge of local wind properties to a high spatial resolution is required, as conditions even on a single roof are not uniform. The visual and noise effect are examined with 3D representation, and parametric viewshed and noise propagation analysis. Prior literature has not taken full advantage of 3D viewshed analysis. To spatialise and quantify visual effects, observation points are established as equally spaced points along the pavements and as an equally spaced grid inside the parks. From each observation point, a 3D viewshed is calculated. The observation points are classified accordingly to the visibility of SUWTs. In parallel, distance-based noise diminution calculations, identify the area that might be affected by the SUWT noise. The level of noise exposure is compensated regarding direct or indirect exposure. Three-dimensional maps are produced with the spatial distribution of these effects. Application of the method: A case study in the Northern district of Brussels Capital Region (BCR) is conducted whereby wind energy potential at every building rooftop of the study area as well as the visual and noise pollution of potential SUWT installation are evaluated. Statistical wind data from the last 30 years is used to define the conditions for a large number of CFD simulations for each wind direction. As high spatial resolution may also affect the outcome of the visual and noise analyses, the roofs of 10 selected buildings, were modelled in detail. Along the pavements, 18,270 observation points were defined, and inside the parks 30,661 observation points were defined at 5 meters intervals. The areas which may be affected around each installation were delineated and the respective observation points are examined. The viewsheds are calculated from each observation point, within these areas. Also, for all candidate SUWT locations the respective noise analysis is conducted taking into account reported noise levels by SUWT manufacturers. Thus, we identify areas which might be affected by the noise effect of SUWTs. The results enable the identification of the areas that might be affected visually and auditory by the installation of SUWT at suitable locations and allow the information of relevant policy measures. The authors gratefully acknowledge Innoviris and the BCR for co-funding this research in the context of the project WEB: Wind Energy Brussels, under grant 2022-JRDIC-7.
- Affiliations
Citations
Tsionas, I., Llaguno, M., Stephan, A., Srikumar, S. K. R., Mosca, G., & Gambale, A. (2023). Deploying Small Urban Wind Turbines. U Circle, UCLouvain. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/24833