Determination of the energy efficiency of the life cycles of wind farms by aggregated data of energy costs

The paper describes a new method for determining the energy efficiency of the life cycles of wind farms by the aggregated data of energy costs. The rationale for the use of aggregated data to determine energy costs during the life cycle of the wind farms is given. The classification of wind turbines and wind farms elements by the parameters and technical characteristics of the elements with subsequent division into groups for which aggregated data of energy costs are determined is given. Within the framework of the method have been developed an algorithm for determining energy costs on the production of elements of wind turbines and wind farms and formulas for their calculation during the life cycle of wind farms. In order to test the method, energy cost was calculated during the life cycle for two wind farms with wind turbines that differ parameters and technical characteristics of the elements and their energy efficiency was determined. It has been shown that the use of a hydrogen storage unit as part of a wind turbine makes it possible to efficiently use energy during down periods and increase the efficiency of the installation by 25-30%. It is noteworthy that a wind-hydrogen farm allows not only to accumulate excess energy during lean periods, but also to save the resource of wind turbines. When the energy reserve in the hydrogen battery reaches close to full, part of the wind turbines of the wind-hydrogen farm can be automatically temporarily stopped in a given order. This technology can provide an extension of the warranty service life for each wind turbine.