A comprehensive assessment of solar and wind energy potential at the University of Lethbridge campus, a medium-sized western Canadian university

ABSTRACT

Solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind turbine technologies play a significant role in the world energy future. However, lack of awareness of the potential and relative value of renewables is a significant challenge in sustainable energy development. The potential of solar and wind energy sources in producing electricity to meet the electrical demands of the University of Lethbridge has been evaluated. Utilizing Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) data and aerial photography to assess the solar photovoltaic electricity potential and wind turbine power curve concept to estimate the wind turbine electricity potential, a feasibility assessment for campus solar PV and wind turbine installations has been conducted. A comparison of the resulting solar PV and wind turbine generation over 5 years with the university electrical demand revealed that wind turbine and solar PV systems together could generate more than 3.6 times of the annual electricity consumption of the university on average. There is 1,015,808 m² of suitable area available for placing a 46 MW solar PV system on the campus which would produce about 2.8 times of the university annual electricity usage on average. In addition, the proposed wind system could cover about 84% of the university electricity demand annually on average. Employing this system, the annual electricity cost of the university could decrease more than 90%. By installing renewable systems, the university can achieve a sustainable energy future.

KEYWORDS:

• Solar photovoltaic energy potential
• wind energy potential
• Light Detection And Ranging
• power curve
• electricity cost and demand

Acknowledgments

Financial and data support provided by Mitacs Program (Canada) in cooperation with NOVUS Environmental, Guelph, Ontario, the City of Lethbridge, the University of Lethbridge, and the Alberta Climate Information Service (https://agriculture.alberta.ca/acis) is much appreciated.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by Mitacs Program (Canada) in cooperation with NOVUS Environmental, Guelph, Ontario.