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PROBLEMS
1. What are the two most important factors in the cost of energy? (The factors that influence
COE the most)
2. Calculate the simple payback for a Bergey 1 kW wind turbine. Go to www.bergey.com
to get price and place it on a 20 m or 60 ft tower. It produces 2,000 kWh/year. Assume a
value for O&M and FCR 0.
3. Calculate the cost of energy (use Equation 12.3) for a 400 W (Air X) wind turbine
(Southwest Windpower). Installed costs are $1,500, which includes 10 m tower and bat-
tery. Annual energy production is 400 kWh/year. Assume FCR and AOM 0.
4. Calculate the cost of energy (use Equation 12.3) for a Bergey 10 kW wind turbine on
a 30 m tower for a good wind regime. You can use a simple method for estimating the
annual kilowatt-hours.
5. Calculate the cost of energy (use Equation 12.4) for a 50 kW wind turbine, which pro-
duces 120,000 kWh/year. The installed cost is $150,000, fixed charge rate of 10%, O&M
is 1% of installed cost, and levelized replacement costs are $4,000/year.
6. Estimate the years to payback using Equation 12.7. IC $150,000, r 8%, AKWH
120,000 at $0.09/kWh. Assume a fuel escalation rate of 4%. This problem has to be done
numerically, assume an L, calculate, and then modify L in terms of your answer and do
calculation again.
7. Explain life cycle costs for a renewable energy system.
8. In 2008, the COE for wind was around $60-80/MWh. What is the estimated COE for elec-
tricity generation (large plants) for photovoltaic, solar thermal, biomass, and geothermal?