Optimization of pre-1978 Chicagoland homes reaching zero net energy level and study of the feasibility of integrating in the same home a small wind turbine and photovoltaic panels

Abstract

Consulta en la Biblioteca ETSI Industriales (Riunet)

[EN] The aim of this project is to evaluate the feasibility of reaching the zero net energy level or near zero net energy level in ten typology groups of single- family homes built prior to 1978 in the Chicagoland area. To evaluate this feasibility, simulations were performed with the software BEopt and DOE2 as a simulation engine, until the zero net energy level was reached. Meanwhile, it was considered the idea of producing electricity for residential use with small wind turbines, or with a hybrid system of both a photovoltaic (PV) system and a wind turbine, due to the seasonality of the electricity production with PV panels. As BEopt only evaluates the production of electricity with photovoltaic panels, the potential electricity production of some models of small wind turbines certified by the Small Wind Certification Council was calculated manually: first, the turbines specification data was obtained from the Small Wind Certification Council and from the manufacturers while the weather data was obtained from BEopt, after that the equation of the wind turbines was applied in order to obtain the potential electricity production of each model of wind turbine in the Chicagoland area. Finally, it was concluded that 5 of the 10 groups of homes included in the analysis were able to reach the zero net energy level or near zero net energy level (groups 4, 5, 6, 12, 13). On the other hand, the combination of the small wind turbine and the PV system was found not feasible, even though the unitary price per kWh produced with some models of wind turbine was equal or lower than the unitary price of the kWh produced with PV panel. That is because one wind turbine is not enough to feed an entire home, therefore to reach the zero net energy level or near zero net energy level it is necessary to add a PV system and by combining both systems, the price per kWh resulted higher than with only a PV system of bigger size.