How Much Can Small-Scale Wind Energy Production Contribute to Energy Supply in Cities? A Case Study of Berlin

Abstract

In light of the Paris Agreement, many cities have undertaken initiatives to become climate-neutral, making decentralized urban energy production more relevant. This paper addresses the potential of urban wind energy production with small wind turbines, using Berlin as an example. Based on a detailed dataset of all buildings and the hourly wind speed on a 1 km² grid, the potential energy production of each building and Berlin as a whole is assessed. The results show that multiple turbines on suitable buildings are necessary to cover a considerable amount of all households’ energy consumption. Nevertheless, the use of small wind turbines is currently beneficial for individual households to reduce their energy expenditures.

Keywords: Renewable energy, urban wind energy, 3D building model, test reference year, vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT)