Using a GIS to enable an economic, land use and energy output comparison between small wind powered turbines and large-scale wind farms: the case of Oslo, Norway.

Abstract: Responding to an identified knowledge gap, the study aims to determine if smaller wind turbines located on top of existing urban buildings are more resource efficient (land utilization and economically) than large scale wind farms. To answer this question, using a GIS, the resource efficiency of the Roan wind farm in Northern Norway was compared to a theoretical modeled installation of small-scale wind turbines on top of buildings within a 2km radius study zone in central Oslo. This research is quite timely, with recent community backlashes against the ecological and lifestyle impacts of large wind farms and people now considering personally sustainable alternatives to large scale wind farms including using smaller wind turbines and on-site power generation. It is anticipated that a study of this type using a GIS will inform better decision making within both governments and the private business sector. To create the model, a GIS was used to combine a range of map layers supplied by the Norwegian Mapping Authority to digitize the buildings within the urban study zone. This process included an estimation of roof areas and a suitability selection based on the elevation of the buildings, resulting in turbines placed across the study area. These layers were combined with turbine and wind speed mapping data to estimate power outputs and 20-year life cycle costing data for the turbines. From this modelled installation, a GIS was used to calculate the kWh per m2 and profit or loss per kWh which were then compared to the same 20-year data for the Roan Wind farm In the study there were data limitations due to accuracy issues of the GIS processes engaged, the problematic nature of modeling and estimating wind speeds in urban areas and a reliance on a manual digitization process. However, the results indicate that the modeled installation in Oslo does use land more efficiently than the Roan wind farm to generate power, however, it was not as economically viable as the wind farm. Of significance is that if only those buildings greater than 60 meters high in the study area were used to generate power that this would result in a small profit per kWh produced, which increased with building heights. However, this was still not comparable to the profits achieved by the wind farm. Recommendations for further research include the potential for high resolution 3d modelling of the study area and the testing of on-site turbine installations. Of note is a potential study on the use of small-scale wind turbines coupled directly to heat pumps to supply heating and cooling requirements, this later application holds great promise for the future. Advisor: Mitch Selander Master degree project 30 credits in Geographical Information Sciences, 2023 Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University Thesis nr 155