Repowering of wind plants: What is possible up to 2030 and 2050 in Austria?

Abstract

The repowering of wind power plants contributes to the increment of renewable energy resources (RES) in the Austrian energy mix to obtain national energy targets. This thesis examines the possible capacity potentials and cost reductions due to repowering up to 2030 and 2050, considering the age structure and locations of existing wind power plants. Data regarding Austrian wind installations is collected and through economic analysis a moment for repowering is established. Future values of wind capacity, annual energy production, and possible curtailments are determined by applying specific optimization constraints. Furthermore, investment and operation and maintenance costs are calculated using a technological learning mechanism. Obtained results show that there are beneficial outcomes of the repowering process, as the growth of wind energy production and the decrement of wind technology costs.