Characterization and optimal site matching of wind turbines: Effects on the economics of synthetic methane production

In this work we have characterized a number of commercial onshore and offshore wind turbines developing a one-equation generic empirical model for their power curves. This model allows evaluating their efficiency and developing mathematical MINLP formulations for the selection of the turbine type and the appropriate site based on the wind profile over time. Finally, we used these formulations to evaluate the site location and the turbines needed for the production of synthetic methane from carbon dioxide and electrolytic hydrogen as a case study. Selecting the optimal turbine and site location results in competitive prices for synthetic methane, below 2(sic)/MMBTU, and large savings in the facilities investment costs. For a particular site location, the selection of the proper turbine saves up to 30% in investment cost. The selection of turbine and site considering wind variability within a month results in the fact that, although the cost is expected to be higher, since a more robust solution is to be obtained, sometimes lower production prices are found. The more detailed wind distribution fits better with the power curve than just an average velocity. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.