HW#2
COST Analysis
1-Let us look at the QR5 wind turbines here are the facts that we know from their website
http://www.quietrevolution.co.uk/qr5.htm
Cost of turbine £25,000
Cost of mast £4000
Cost of controls £4,600 for a single turbine
Installation cost Around £4,000
We do not take into account the maintenance fee for now
Here is what they claim
The energy output will vary according to the wind speed but is likely to be between 4,000 and 10,000
kWhrs per year on a typical site. Let us assume that the energy output is 6,000 kWhs
We also know that the cost of electricity is about 10 cents in USA per kWh (1 English pound is 1.65 US
dollars, electricity is more expensive in UK but we want to talk about USA),
Calculate after how many years this wind turbine will pay back for itself. The life time of the turbine is 25
years, is this turbine a good investment?
Reading assignments:
2-
What is meant by the term “vertical wind speed profile” for a particular site? Illustrate your
answer with a diagram