Innovation in clean energy from man-made wind and small-wind generation

Innovation in clean energy from man-made wind and small-wind generation | Scientific Reports

Abstract

The need to reduce global emissions leads us to look for various sources of clean energy. In recent decades, wind technology has advanced significantly, enabling large-scale power generation in both marine and terrestrial environments, as well as the development of mini-wind solutions. However, we often underestimate the capacity of certain human activities and production processes to generate clean energy, wasting their true potential. This work focuses on using artificially generated wind gusts to transform them into clean electricity through small wind turbines. The proposal is developed in four phases: (1) identify activities that generate wind, (2) collect data on wind speed and direction, (3) perform a descriptive statistical analysis of the wind resource, and (4) select the appropriate technology to calculate the electricity generation. The proposal is evaluated using the air flow produced by the air conditioning systems of a data center in Colombia. The results are analyzed from technical, economic, environmental, and political perspectives. Through small wind power, an annual production of approximately 468 MWh is estimated, avoiding the emission of 300 metric tons of \({\text{CO}}_2\).

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Introduction

The climate change has encouraged most countries to start using clean energy, reducing the consumption of fossil fuels and, consequently, \({\text{CO}}_2\) emissions 1. Among the different energy sectors, the electrical one is extremely important, as it can be derived from various primary energy sources and, consequently, can be easily decarbonized by the use of renewable energy sources (RES) like wind 2. In fact, one of the main advantages of this RES, is that, apart from large installations for grid integration, it can generate electricity at small scales installations through distributed generation, which have significant benefits 3.

Recently, many studies have focused on the potential or feasibility of small wind power around the world. Elnaggar et al. 4 conducted a feasibility study of the wind energy potential in Gaza to feed a small wind turbine (WT) of 5 kW installable on the roof of residential buildings. They estimated an expected value of 2695 kWh of electricity generation at 10 m, but it can be increased at higher altitudes. An analysis of 88 regions of Iran was carried out in 5, trying to identify the most affordable conditions for investing; they concluded that these WTs are profitable approximately in 30% of the cases, where wind speed is higher than 5 m/s. Rodriguez et al. 6 studied the techno-economic feasibility of 28 small WTs models at 18 locations in the Valley of Mexico Metropolitan Area to satisfy in situ electrical consumption. Comparing the annualized net present value, only two WTs and location models provided positive values. A similar study was carried out in 7 to light the Banyak Island Tourism Area (Indonesia) with a 20 kW WT, which could produce 115,154 kWh/year and turbine. Recently, four Polish cities were analysed in 8, considering two 3 kW WTs. In this case, the wind potential at the study locations was insufficient to economically justify the installation of a WT. Also, some high wind speed areas in New Zealand were considered as very convenient for small-scale wind installations 9. Other authors have explored utilizing the sea breeze for microgeneration, finding it to be a promising wind energy resource in peri-urban coastal areas where the implementation of large-scale wind power plants is not feasible 10.

While traditional wind energy harnesses natural wind driven by atmospheric pressure variations and the Coriolis force caused by the Earth’s rotation 11, this paper explores an unconventional yet promising wind resource generated by human activities and systems. Specifically, this research analyses whether the airflows produced by heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can be effectively harnessed to generate clean electrical energy using small WT. These HVAC systems use fans to expel the warm air from indoor environments to the outdoors 12. This expelled air represents a consistent and potentially untapped wind resource for electricity conversion. Consequently, the novelty of this contribution lies in the systematic analysis of man-made airflows as a viable wind energy resource, which can transform these systems from mere energy consumers into contributors to sustainable energy production.

While the concept of capturing wind energy from natural sources is well-established, this paper pioneers the exploration of artificial wind generated by human activities. The objectives of this paper are twofold:

1. 1.
To assess the feasibility of harnessing the wind resource produced by HVAC systems for small-scale wind energy generation. This includes analysing the characteristics of the airflow, such as speed, consistency, and direction, to determine its suitability for driving small wind turbines.
2. 2.
To quantify the potential electrical energy that can be generated from this man-made wind resource. By doing so, the paper aims to establish a new perspective on sustainable energy generation within urban and industrial environments, where HVAC systems are prevalent.

This work contributes to the field by not only proposing a novel source of wind energy but also by providing a framework for its practical application, thereby expanding the possibilities for renewable energy generation in built environments. Specifically, this contribution is focused on the wind resource that comes from the air expelled due to the HVAC equipment of a data centre, which requires a considerable number of fans using large amounts of energy 13. A real data centre located in Colombia is considered as a case study. The rest of the paper is organized as follows: section “ Materials and methods” defines the material and methods used to carry out this analysis; results and discussion are extensively presented in section “ Results and discussion”; and finally, section “ Conclusions and future research” provides the main conclusions of the study and possible future works.

Materials and methods

Figure 1 depicts the used sequence of phases for materials and methods, which are described in detail below. This method can be extrapolated to any wind flow generated by humans activities.

Research framework. Search for activities that generate a wind flow (1). Data collection: Wind speed and direction (2). Descriptive statistical analysis of the wind resource (3). Technology selection and calculation of electricity generation (4).

Search activities that generate a wind flow

Firstly, it is crucial to identify the characteristics that an air flow must have to be considered as potentially viable for energy generation. In everyday life and with the advancement of technology, several activities generate artificial wind flows that can be analysed for this purpose. To determine which activities are most suitable, the continuity of the air flow should be considered. The air flow must be continuous or, at the very least, occur at regular intervals throughout the day. This regularity and persistence are essential to ensure the reliability and consistency of the energy generation process. Examples of potential air flows are:

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Transportation infrastructure: Air flow generated by passing trains and subways in a tunnel can be substantial and regular due to the pressure and suction caused by their movement. This flow, although intermittent, can be predictable, making it an interesting
14.
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Maritime vessels in motion: Vessels in motion generate an air flow due to the movement of the boat through the water. This flow is continuous during navigation, with a variable intensity depending on the speed and size of the vessel and the atmospheric and maritime conditions. The study of these flows can be relevant for the aerodynamic design and energy efficiency of vessels
15.
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HVAC systems: These systems, used to regulate the temperature in buildings, generate significant air flows that can be harnessed. They generate a constant and controlled air flow, making them an excellent case study for analysing energy efficiency, climate control, and air distribution in inhabited spaces. This is the case study of the current research.

Data collection

To carry out an effective wind energy study, it is essential to consider two fundamental variables 16:

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Wind speed: Wind speed is used to estimate the electrical energy that can be generated. It helps determine if winds are strong enough and evaluates the frequency of low-speed intervals. These factors directly influence the efficiency and viability of wind projects.
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Wind direction: Wind direction is crucial for the selection of the wind turbine technology and its orientation, especially for horizontal axis wind turbines.

To obtain these data with accuracy, a weather station should be installed. It should measure these variables at short intervals (ideally, every 10 minutes), and over a long period (several months or, preferably, a full year). This detailed data collection allows a more precise evaluation of the wind conditions of the site. However, if after some months of data, the wind data is seen as a constant flow, the period may be reduced.

If a complete weather station is unavailable, the following equipment can be used:

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Anemometer: To measure wind speed accurately.
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Weathervane: To determine wind direction.

The ability to digitally export this data is strongly recommended, as it simplifies the analysis and processing of the information.

Descriptive statistical analysis of the wind resource

From the data previously measured, the essential statistical analysis is obtained. The specific objectives and methods used are:

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Average wind speed: Calculated by adding all wind speed measurements and dividing the total number of such measurements, it provides a general idea of the average wind speed during the observation period.
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Maximum and minimum speed: Highest and lowest speeds recorded in the data set. These values are useful to understand the extreme conditions that can occur and the periods of calm or low activity.
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Weibull distribution: This statistical distribution is frequently used in wind speed modelling due to its ability to fit various forms of data distribution. This distribution is characterized by the shape parameter k and the scale parameter A
17. The probability density function of the Weibull distribution is:$$\begin{aligned} p_{(U)} = \dfrac{k}{A} \cdot \left( \dfrac{U}{A}\right) ^{k-1} \cdot e^{-(\frac{U}{A})^k}, \end{aligned}$$(1)
where \(p_{(U)}\) is the probability that the wind is U, A is the scale factor (dimensions of speed), and k is the shape factor (dimensionless, which characterizes the asymmetry of the distribution). These values will be used in the last phase.
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Speed rose: The speed rose is a circular graph that shows the frequency of different wind directions. Each “petal” of the rose indicates the direction of the wind, and its length represents how often the wind blows from that direction.
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Frequency rose: Refers to the number of times the wind blows at a given speed in a specific period of time. This can be represented in a histogram or in a speed rose.
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Energy rose: Combines information about the frequency and speed of the wind, representing the energy contribution in each direction
18.

For all this statistical analysis, it is essential to use specialized computer programs in the sector, such as Windographer\(\copyright\) 19 or Furow\(\copyright\) 20.

Technology selection and calculation of the electricity generation

Selecting the right wind turbine requires considering several factors 21:

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It is important to decide between a horizontal or vertical axis turbine, as each has different characteristics. Horizontal axis wind turbines are more efficient, but require more space and need to be aligned with the prevailing wind direction. Vertical axis wind turbines are more versatile and suitable for areas with turbulent winds.
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The operating speeds and maximum speed supported by the turbine must be verified, as well as ensuring that it is built with durable materials resistant to local climatic conditions.
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The noise level is another crucial aspect, especially in residential areas.
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The weight of the turbine must also be considered to avoid structural damage if it is to be installed on roofs or on other equipment.
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It is essential to research local regulations and permissions required for installation.
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The reputation of the supplier is also important, selecting one with good references and a history of good quality products, and ensuring that the product comes with an adequate warranty and technical support available.

The annual energy production (AEP) for each selected turbine is later determined from the turbine power curve and the speed frequency distribution according to:

where \(P_i\) is the turbine power output in the ith wind speed interval extracted from the turbine power curve; \(f_i\) is the frequency of the ith wind speed interval extracted from the speed frequency distribution; N is the number of wind speed intervals and 8760 is the total number of hours per year 22.

Results and discussion

Search activities that generate a wind flow

The rapid technological advancements of the last decade have frequently altered the way we perform various activities. Today, there are several social networks, banking networks, streaming platforms, games, and online shopping available anywhere in the world. In addition, there are platforms that allow the creation and sharing of content almost in real time. These technological developments require that the computing equipments that host these applications and platforms have high power, storage, and speed capacities, in addition to having adequate cooling to ensure their efficient operation. Data centres are facilities designed to provide the electrical and thermal capacity necessary for this equipment to operate almost uninterrupted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. As a result, data centres have a high demand for electrical energy, intended for both computing equipment and air conditioning systems that maintain ideal temperatures between \(18^{\circ } C\) and \(27^{\circ } C\) for their operation 23. These air conditioning systems use fans that cool the interior of the rooms where the computer equipment is located and extract the heat generated, expelling it to the outside environment.

The case study focuses on a Data Center located in Colombia, which includes three chillers Liebert HPC-M brand (model FB4 052) 24, with 180 t of refrigeration located on the roof of the 14.7 m high building. They operate in \((N + 1)\) configuration: this means that only two of them are operating constantly, and the third one is in stand-by, rotating weekly between the three. The main characteristic of the equipment regarding this analysis is that they are equipped with eight EC-FAN fans, ECblue brand, model C116 25 located in the upper part of each chiller. These fans operate most of the time, generating a constant stream of air in a vertical, upward direction. They operate at 480 \(V_{AC}\), with a maximum speed of 900 rpm, a blade diameter of 900 mm and a nominal power of 2.4 kW, see Fig. 2.

Data collection

The wind speed and direction data were measured with the SAINLOGIC WS0835 anemometric station 26. Taking into account that the wind direction produced by the chillers is perpendicular to the wind direction produced by nature (vertically, instead of horizontally), the weather station was rotated \(90^\circ\) on the “Y” axis, see Fig. 3.

Location of the weather station (A). Weather Station SAINLOGIC WS0835 (B) 26.

The readings obtained were recorded manually in a spreadsheet, with two-hour intervals for a 42 days period. Both wind speed and direction readings were recorded in the format shown in Table 1.

Descriptive statistical analysis of the wind resource

Wind speed data have been analysed, revealing an average speed of 14.5 m/s, with maximum and minimum values of 19.5 and 7.3 m/s, respectively. To evaluate the wind potential, the WindowGrapher\(\copyright\) program 19 was used. The data obtained were imported into the program, which generated the Weibull distribution curve and the frequency and energy roses.

Figure 4 shows the frequency histogram and the Weibull distribution curve. The scale factor is \(A=15.649\)m/s (which represents the average wind speed of the site), and the shape factor is \(k=6.044\) which identifies the asymmetry of the distribution. Additionally, the most probable wind speed is approximately 15.5 m/s; no speeds lower than 7.25 m/s or higher than 19.75 m/s are recorded, which are very important values for the starting and stopping of the wind turbine to choose.

Frequency histogram and the Weibull distribution curve.

Figure 5 presents the energy and frequency rose. It is important to note that, to properly measure the wind coming from the chillers, the weather station was oriented so that the north was aligned with the equipment. In the frequency rose, it is observed that the dominant sector is the North-West direction, with 51.8% of the measures, while the least dominant sector is the South, with 3.4%. Similar results are obtained for the energy rose, with the highest contribution coming from the North-West (with 53.5%), followed by the North direction, with 12.8%.

Energy and frequency rose.

Technology selection and calculation of electricity generation

Currently, there is a wide variety of both horizontal and vertical axis small wind turbines. Based on the measurements made with the meteorological station, it was observed that the direction of the wind produced by the equipment remains constant during almost the entire operating time of the chiller. However, it could be seen that the wind generated by the environment can cause the weather station vane to change in direction, which sometimes causes the wind to become turbulent. Considering this behaviour, it is decided to use a vertical axis wind turbine, which is more appropriate for turbulence conditions.

Taking into account that the wind turbines will be placed on top of the chillers, their dimensions, weight, and power factors are of great importance. The goal is to find a vertical axis wind turbine that minimizes dimensions and weight, while maximizes electricity generation. Based on these criteria, the “Tesup V7” 27 wind turbine was selected, with a nominal power of 9 kW. This model was chosen because of its compact dimensions and low weight, that present a significant advantage for installation. In addition, it is one of the mini wind turbines that offers the greatest power in relation to its size. Its characteristics are detailed in Table 2.

The electrical energy generated by this wind turbine is calculated based on its power curve and the frequency histogram. The amount of gross electricity produced annually is 85.64 MWh, see Table 3. Considering that 3 wind turbines can be installed in each chiller, and that 1 chiller is always in the stand-by mode, the total gross energy generated by the 6 wind turbines is 513.82 MWh. The installation of the mini wind turbines will be carried out in the upper part of the chiller, taking advantage of the spaces between the fans. These spaces adjust to the dimensions of the base of the chosen wind turbines, which allows their installation in a relatively simple way using fastening clamps that do not interfere with the structure of the equipment.

Discussion

Energy balance

With 2 chillers always in operation, the system is equivalent to 6 wind turbines generating 513.82 MWh. The 16 fans of the chillers (8 per chiller, with a nominal power of 2.4 kW) have a consumption of 336.39 MWh annually. Estimating losses of 9% due to unplanned availability, unavailability due to scheduled maintenance etc. 28, the net electricity generated by the wind turbines would be 467.6 MWh, sufficient to cover the consumption of the fans, and having a surplus of 131.2 MWh. This surplus energy can be used for other electrical needs within the data centre, or can be injected into the electrical grid, providing additional benefits. This setup, as illustrated in Fig. 6, optimizes energy use and enhances sustainability by effectively integrating renewable energy sources into the data centre’s infrastructure.

Top view of the Chiller-Location of the mini wind turbines (A). Energy balance Mini wind turbines versus fans (B).

Economic analysis

The economic analysis was carried out considering the following aspects:

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Initial investment: Consisting of 9 mini wind turbines (3 for each chiller) and other necessary equipment, such as the inverter and regulator, are taken into account. The installation represents 30% of the total cost, adding up to a total of €111,540.
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Useful life: It is estimated that mini wind turbines have a useful life of 20 years.
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Income from unconsumed energy: The energy generated by the 6 mini wind turbines replaces the energy that would have been consumed from the grid. The price of this energy is established according to the Colombian Energy and Gas Regulation Commission, and an annual increase of 3% is projected
29.
-
Maintenance costs: Annual maintenance costs are €1005 (0.8%—Initial investment ), with an annual increase of 12%
30.

The detailed cash flow is presented in Table 4. Starting in the third year, the cash flow becomes positive, which indicates that the return on investment begins to be favourable from that moment on. The net present value at year 20 accounts for €726,686 calculated considering a discount rate of 6%. The Internal Rate of Return is 50.69%. These indicators show that the project is economically viable, with a positive return on investment from the third year and an attractive profitability throughout the useful life of the mini wind turbines.

Environmental analysis

The environmental advantages derived from the installation of the mini wind turbines are considerably positive. In 2023, and according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency 31, the annual national marginal emission rate for wind energy was set to \(6.42 \times 10^{-4}\) tons of \({\text{CO}}_2\) per kWh produced. Consequently, the mini wind turbines avoid the emissions of 300.12 tons of \({\text{CO}}_2\), an important contribution in the fight against climate change and the reduction of the carbon footprint. In addition to reducing \({\text{CO}}_2\) emissions, mini wind turbines offer other environmental benefits, such as reducing air pollution and reducing the environmental impact associated with extracting and burning fossil fuels. These systems also encourage the use of renewable energies, promoting a transition towards a more sustainable energy matrix and less dependent on non-renewable sources.

Political regulations

Given the economic viability and favourable environmental results, a crucial question arises for governments and energy organizations: how many Chiller-type air conditioning units exist in the world? This question opens the door to a series of reflections on the potential of untapped wind resources, the energy we could save and the \({\text{CO}}_2\) emissions we could avoid. Government ministries responsible for the ecological transition and the environment have a unique opportunity to foster innovation and sustainability. It is essential to promote synergies between companies and draft new industrial decrees that promote the energy transition. An innovative measure would be the implementation of mini wind turbines in each piece of equipment that generates an air flow, such as Chillers. This technology would take advantage of the wind produced to generate additional energy, reducing consumption and emissions. The energy savings derived from this technology would not only have a positive impact on the environment, but would also offer significant economic benefits. The reduction in energy consumption would reduce companies’ operating costs, while less dependence on non-renewable energy sources would contribute to energy stability and long-term sustainability.

Given the economic viability and favourable environmental results, a crucial question arises for governments and energy organizations: how many chiller-type air conditioning units exist in the world? This question opens the door to a series of reflections on the potential of untapped wind resources, the energy we could save and the \({\text{CO}}_2\) emissions we could avoid. Government ministries responsible for the ecological transition and the environment have a unique opportunity to foster innovation and sustainability. It is essential to promote synergies between companies and draft new industrial decrees that promote the energy transition. An innovative measure would be the implementation of mini wind turbines in each piece of equipment that generates an air flow, taking advantage of the wind produced to generate additional energy, reducing consumption and emissions. The energy savings derived from this technology would not only have a positive impact on the environment, but would also offer significant economic benefits. The reduction in energy consumption would reduce companies’ operating costs, while less dependence on non-renewable energy sources would contribute to energy stability and long-term sustainability. The implementation of mini wind turbines aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, it contributes to SDG 7 (Affordable and clean energy), SDG 9 (Industry, innovation, and infrastructure) and SDG 13 (Climate action). This technology would not only promote a more sustainable and innovative industry, but would also help mitigate climate change by reducing emissions. For this transformation to be possible, it is crucial that governments adopt public policies that encourage the adoption of mini wind turbines. This could include subsidies for research and development, tax incentives for companies that implement this technology, and regulations that promote its use. Industrial decrees should establish clear standards for the integration of mini wind turbines in air conditioning systems, guaranteeing their efficiency and safety.

Conclusions and future research

The integration of small WT into air conditioning equipment represents a tangible opportunity to move towards a more sustainable future, aligning with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 7, 9 and 13). This study demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing artificially generated wind from data centre cooling systems to produce clean energy through small WTs. Based on the data centre under analysis, which is located in Colombia, this work estimates an annual clean energy production of approximately 468 MWh, avoiding about 300 metric tons of \({\text{CO}}_2\) emissions. Moreover, the economic analysis shows the project is financially viable, with a positive return on investment starting from the third year and an attractive internal rate of return of 50.69% over a 20-year period. As there is potential for widespread application of this study in similar cooling systems globally, collaboration between governments, companies, and energy organizations is essential to harness this potential and turn it into a reality, which could have substantial cumulative environmental and economic impacts. By adopting proactive policies and encouraging innovation, we can significantly reduce our environmental impact, save energy, and move towards a more sustainable world for future generations. Furthermore, authors would like to emphasize that this solution can be scalable to other industries with similar air flow generation. As possible future works, multi-criteria decision-making strategies could be used to determine the optimum WT model.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

This work was partially supported by the Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain (Ref. PID2021-126082OB–C22) and by Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, through Project SBPLY/23/180225/000226.

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Gil-García, I.C., Fernández-Guillamón, A. & Montes-Torres, Á.H. Innovation in clean energy from man-made wind and small-wind generation. Sci Rep 14, 22932 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-74141-w

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-74141-w

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