Paper Title: Performance, economics and sustainability of small wind energy conversion systems: an analysis using standard exergy and extended exergy accounting methods
Authors:Fidelis Abam,Oyongha Agbiji, Obasi-sam Ojobe, Julius Idajor, Udochukwu Bola Akuru
Corresponding Author: Fidelis Abam (fidelisabam@unical.edu.ng), Nigeria
Abstract
This study presents the performance, economics, and sustainability indicators of wind energy conversion systems (WECS) using standard exergy and extended exergy accounting (EEA) methods. The objective was to generate operational, sustainability and economic data for various wind locations in Nigeria for different small WECS configurations. The data generated will inform investment and policy development as Nigeria transitions to cleaner energy sources. Results indicate that exergy destruction (ExD), physical exergy (ExPH) and exergy efficiency vary significantly across locations and WECS specifications. The lowest ExD values, observed with the Bergey XL.1 WECS, ranged from 1.351×106 to 5.67×106 MJ. Standard exergy efficiency fluctuated between 2.88 % and 5.97 %, with sustainability indicators reflecting moderate values. From the EEA breakdown, the maximum variation in physical exergy reached 4.97×107 MJ. In contrast, maximum efficiency was 2.99%, demonstrating an efficiency gap between locations and WECS between 0.45% and 29.3%. The low values based on EAA are attributed to excluding externalities in conventional methods. Cost per kW also varied across locations, with payback periods ranging from 3 to 5.7 years. The EEA method effectively provided realistic data to guide investment and policy decisions.
Keywords
Wind energy, Exergy accounting, Standard exergy, Sustainability and efficiency
Cite:
Abam, Fidelis, Oyongha Agbiji, Obasi-sam Ojobe, Julius Idajor, and Udochukwu Bola Akuru. 2025. “Performance, Economics and Sustainability of Small Wind Energy Conversion Systems: An Analysis Using Standard Exergy and Extended Exergy Accounting Methods”. Future Energy 4 (1):30-42. https://fupubco.com/fuen/article/view/255.
