The process of siting large-scale renewable energy farm entails several latent but influential quantitative and qualitative variables. Empirical and analytical models often fail to account for these variables thus, consequentially unable to unravel their impacts on the investment. However, a prior knowledge of their existence and their synergistic dynamics will help in knowledge-based decision-making during the plant siting process. This study examines the significance and dynamics of land ownership, environmental variables and energy-related policies, prevalent and future energy markets. A case study of an 88 MW grid-connected wind farm in the Eastern Cape of South Africa was considered. Asides literature survey, review of government policy and regulations, a semi-structured interview-based method was used. A qualitative content analysis was used for the response analysis. From our findings, the identified variables play significant role in the viability and sustainability of energy resource harvesting. These variables could lead to pre-mature closure of the farm operations if not considered at the early stage of resource assessment, thus leading to investment losses. Suggestions are proposed to wind farm developers towards informed decision making. Proposed solutions to these barriers can be useful in solving similar problems in other renewable energy resources both in South Africa and other countries.


Latent Dynamics in Siting Onshore Wind Energy Farms: A Case of a Wind Farm in South Africa

Division / Sponsors: 
Power Division & Nuclear Engineering Division (NED)

Power Conference
Paper Proceedings: https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/POWER/POWER2020/volume/83747

International Conference on Nuclear Engineering
Paper Proceedings: https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ICONE/ICONE2020/volume/83761

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