ESTIMATION OF THE WIND POTENTIAL AND COSTS OF WIND ENERGY IN THE COASTAL RANGE OF VALDIVIA, SOUTHERN CHILE

Abstract

Conventional energy is based on the use of non-renewable resources whose transformation has negative ride effects. On the contrary, renewable energies, including wind energy, offer an opportunity for diversification and better sustainability. In Chile, the support of renewable sources of energy requires among other things, generating the appropriate technical and economic information regarding their use. The goal of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility of producing wind energy and to estimate the associated costs for a coastal area of Valdivia (39º 48´ S and 73º 14´ W) in Los Ríos Region. The data to estimate the wind energy potential came from the Laboratory of Aquatic Resources of Universidad Austral de Chile. Energy consumption data came from the rural school located in the study area was used. Whereas the wind energy potential was showed to exist in the area, under the circumstances and assumptions of the study, the consumption of energy during some months of the year was higher than the amount that could be supplied. With the available technology and its current cost, energy storage is not feasible restricting the use of the energy generated. The cost of wind energy was estimated at $257/kWh compared to the cost of conventional energy used at the school which was $136/kWh. These results suggest that in this case substitution of conventional energy with wind energy is not technically or economically feasible.