How Much Can Small-Scale Wind Energy Production Contribute to Energy Supply in Cities? A Case Study of Berlin

24 Pages Posted: 14 May 2020 Last revised: 15 May 2020

See all articles by Alina Wilke

Alina Wilke

Humboldt University of Berlin

Zhiwei Shen

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Matthias Ritter

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Department of Agricultural Economics

Date Written: May 11, 2020

Abstract

In light of the Paris Agreement, many cities have undertaken initiatives to become climate-neutral, making decentralized urban energy production more relevant. This paper addresses the potential of urban wind energy production with small wind turbines, using Berlin as an example. Based on a detailed dataset of all buildings and the hourly wind speed on a 1 km² grid, the potential energy production of each building and Berlin as a whole is assessed. The results show that multiple turbines on suitable buildings are necessary to cover a considerable amount of all households’ energy consumption. Nevertheless, the use of small wind turbines is currently beneficial for individual households to reduce their energy expenditures.

Keywords: Renewable energy, urban wind energy, 3D building model, test reference year, vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT)

Suggested Citation

Wilke, Alina and Shen, Zhiwei and Ritter, Matthias, How Much Can Small-Scale Wind Energy Production Contribute to Energy Supply in Cities? A Case Study of Berlin (May 11, 2020). USAEE Working Paper No. 20-447, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3598580 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3598580

Alina Wilke

Humboldt University of Berlin

Unter den Linden 6
Berlin, AK Berlin 10099
Germany

Zhiwei Shen

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin ( email )

Humboldt Universität
Unter den Linden 6
Berlin, 10099
Germany

Matthias Ritter (Contact Author)

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Department of Agricultural Economics ( email )

Unter den Linden 6
Berlin, AK Berlin 10099
Germany

HOME PAGE: http:// https://hu.berlin/mritter

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