Economics

It is difficult to build a cost model for the ducted wind turbine system, as it is still very much in the prototype stage of development. One way to analyse the economics would be to compare the system with similar technologies. To make the Ducted Wind Turbine system competitive it would have to compare favourably with Photovoltaic Modules. These are the only roof mountable small-scale technology available at the moment.

 

There are similarities between the ducted wind turbine system and a photovoltaic system. From experimental work it was discovered that ducted wind turbines are unsuitable for direct grid connection because of their varying frequency and stochastic output. It is necessary for the generator to be coupled to a rectifier, which will inject DC electricity into an inverter. Both systems require the use of an inverter to allow the DC electricity to be converted into AC for connection to the local electricity network.

From the table it is clear that Photovoltaic Technologies vary greatly in their performance and their cost. From the table the thin film amorphous technology was used as a comparison because of its suitability for large roof areas.

 

50m 2 of thin film amorphous photovoltaic modules would generate approximately 2500 kWh annually in the UK . This system would have an installed cost of approximately £12 – 13k. This is the cost benchmark that the ducted wind turbines would have to match in order to be competitive.