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• APPENDIX
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Markets and applications for small wind turbines

The different applications for which SWT are especially suitable have been summarised in the Table 6.2 for the main two markets identified: off-grid applications and grid-connected applications.

Table 6.2 Applications of small wind turbines, Source: CIEMAT

Rated power / System

Wind / Diesel

Wind Mini Farm

Wind Hybrid

Single Wind Turbine

Wind Home System

Build Integrated

P < 1 kW

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

1 Kw <  7 kW

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

7 kW <  P <  50 kW

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

50 kW <  P <  100 kW

X

X

X

X

X

Small Wind Systems Applications

Sailboats

Signalling

Street lamp

Remote houes / dwellings

Farms

Water pumping

Sea water desalination

Village power

Minigrid

Street lamp

Buildings rooftop

Dwellings

Public centers

Car parking

Industrial

Industrial

Farms

Off-grid applications

On-grid applications

The table tries to reflect the possible combinations, according to market, application and size of SWT in the ranges defined in Section introduction.  The table shows how isolated systems with SWT offer solutions for almost any application whenever there is enough wind resource at the site.  Depending on the size of the system the three technological solutions for isolated systems are: wind home systems, hybrid systems, and wind-diesel systems.  The status of these options will be commented on in Isolated Applications.

In the case of on-grid applications, the possibilities are also numerous, depending on the available space for the installation and on legal and economical constraints.  Some options have also been identified, including integration into the built environment, and single and multiple wind turbine installations.  The status of these other options is discussed in Grid connected Applications.