Wind Power Feasibility Study for Ball State University

Abstract

Based on two years of site-specific wind speed measurements and actual power curve performance estimates of five commercial wind turbines, a feasibility study of wind-power potential near Ball State University has been conducted. The measured wind speed data from the study site allow a more accurate estimate of the expected energy produced per year from a given turbine than would be obtained by just scaling the estimates based on the rated output power of the turbines. Results show that four out of the five selected turbines could be expected to achieve payoff of combined lifetime costs well within the turbines’ estimated lifetimes. Expected savings on the cost of electrical energy range from $2 million to $4 million for a 25-year lifetime. Based on the predicted monetary savings from energy produced by a turbine over its expected lifetime, coupled with trends of decreasing costs and increasing turbine performance, the option of installing a wind turbine to supplement the electrical energy needs of Ball State University appears economically feasible. A renewable energy source, such as a wind turbine, also provides an opportunity for the University to profit from the sale of renewable energy credits (RECs).