Evaluation of an Integrated Roof Wind Energy System for urban environments

Abstract

Integrating renewable energy in the urban environment is of importance for the renewable energy goals set by the European Union. This research is to study and evaluate wind energy potential for an Integrated Roof Wind Energy System on the rooftop of the buildings of different heights and in different locations with the help of numerical modelling (CFD). The Navier-Stokes equations are solved using the SIMPLE algorithm while the turbulence is modelled using the k-ω SST equations. All the simulations are performed using OpenFOAM. Results shows that wind speed can be accelerated by ∼1.4 times till it reaches the periphery of the turbine inside the unit, which will increase wind power output considerably. This results in power factor increase of 1.7 for tall buildings. Therefore, enabling combined micro wind and solar energy systems to be a viable option for urban environments.