SWS Academic Research eLibraryEarth & Planetary Sciences

Scholarly record

OPTIMISING RENEWABLE ENERGY SUPPLY AND STORAGE FOR SUSTAINABLE WIND TUNNEL OPERATION

Aivars Rubenis, Aigars Laizāns, Leslie R. Adrian, Rihards Dziedatajs

First published: 2025-12-27https://doi.org/10.5593/sgem2025v/4.2/s20.84View metrics

Abstract

Indoor skydiving wind tunnels are highly energy-intensive installations, yet their environmental performance remains largely unexamined. This study develops a mathematical model to evaluate how on-site photovoltaics, battery storage, and potential regenerative braking can reduce the electricity cost and carbon footprint of a horizontal wind tunnel designed by Storm Adventures. The model integrates empirically measured fan-motor demand, long-term solar irradiance data for Liepaja, Latvia, and Monte Carlo simulations to represent realistic annual operating conditions. The wind tunnel requires 64.6 MWh annually. Optimisation identifies a configuration of 19 PV modules (12.6 kWp) and a 10 kWh battery, generating 28.6 MWh per year, of which 81% is used on-site. Net grid demand falls to 37.5 MWh, lowering CO2 emissions from 5,301 kg to 3,396 kg (a 36% reduction). Electricity expenditure decreases by 45.8%, from -10,182 to -5,522. Regenerative braking could recover 1,309 kWh annually (2% of demand), providing a modest but meaningful future efficiency gain. Overall, the results demonstrate that hybrid renewable-storage systems can substantially reduce both emissions and operating costs, supporting the sustainable operation of energy-intensive climate-resilience training infrastructure.

Publication Impact Profile

PlumX
No metrics available.
PLUMX see details
Dimensions ID: pub.1199508394

Publication details

Title
OPTIMISING RENEWABLE ENERGY SUPPLY AND STORAGE FOR SUSTAINABLE WIND TUNNEL OPERATION
Authors
Aivars Rubenis, Aigars Laizāns, Leslie R. Adrian, Rihards Dziedatajs
Proceedings
25th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference Proceedings SGEM 2025, Energy and Clean Technologies
Publisher
STEF92 Technology
Year
2025
Pages
761-772
SWS Citekey
Rubenis202520761772
ISSN
1314-2704; 13142704
ISBN
9786197603934
Language
en
Publication type
Conference Paper
Proceedings contents
Open official contents
Keywords
Sustainable entertainment industryWind tunnel energy modellingRenewable integrationBattery energy storage.
References36

  1. X. Yang, Q. Gao, H. Duan, and R. Wang, �Exploring the role of entertainment transition in mitigating consumption-side GHG emissions�, iScience, vol. 28, no. 6, June 2025, DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2025.112674.

    View DOICrossrefGoogle ScholarWeb of ScienceScopusOpenCitations

  2. C. J. Corbett and R. P. Turco, �Sustainability in the Motion Picture Industry�, University of California Los Angeles UCLA Institute of the Environment, Nov. 2006. [Online]. Available: http://personal. anderson.ucla. edu/charles.corbett/ papers/ mpis_report.pdf

  3. European Comission, �Climate Action Progress Report 2024 - country profile Latvia�, European Commission, Jan. 2024. Accessed: Sept. 14, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://climate.ec.europa.eu/document/download/01e0baef-0a26-4dda-bc50-b3f87dbd5e e2_en?filename=lv_2024_factsheet_en.pdf&prefLang=fr

  4. European Parliament, Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (�European Climate Law�). 2021.

  5. International Energy Agencu, �Global Energy Review 2025�, 2025, [Online]. Available:https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/5b169aa1-bc88-4c96-b828-aaa50406 ba80/GlobalEnergyReview2025.pdf

  6. J. Malmodin, �. Moberg, D. Lund�n, G. Finnveden, and N. L�vehagen, �Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Operational Electricity Use in the ICT and Entertainment & Media Sectors�, J of Industrial Ecology, vol. 14, no. 5, pp. 770�790, Oct. 2010, DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-9290.2010.00278.x.

    View DOICrossrefGoogle ScholarWeb of ScienceScopusOpenCitations

  7. ZIEHL-ABEGG, �Axial fan MAXventowlet�, ZIEHL-ABEGG. Accessed: Nov. 22, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.ziehl-abegg.com/en/products/maxventowlet

  8. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, �Improving Fan System Performance: A Sourcebook for Industry�, 2003. Accessed: Nov. 22, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://research-hub.nrel.gov/en/publications/improving-fan-system-performance-a-sourcebook-for-industry/

  9. Weg, �Specification Guide Electric Motors�. Accessed: Jan. 11, 2025. [Online]. Available:https://static.weg.net/medias/downloadcenter/ha0/h5f/WEG-motors-specifica tion-of-electric-motors-50039409-brochure-english-web.pdf [10]J. Tang, �Motor Sizing Basics Part 2: How to Calculate Load Inertia�, Oriental Motor USA Corp. Accessed: Nov. 22, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://blog. orientalmotor. com/motor-sizing-basics-part-2-load-inertia

  10. R.Grundmann, �Elementary Fan Technology�. TROX. [Online]. Available: https://www.trox.de/en/downloads/075547b0eb5193ae/346_elementary_fan_technology.pdf

  11. ABB, �37 kW, 6-pole TEFC Induction Motor, Catalogue / Technical Data Sheet�,. ABB, 2019.

  12. Latvijas Vides, geologijas un meteorologijas centrs, �Liepaja meteorological station archive�. Accessed: Nov. 22, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://videscentrs.lvgmc.lv

  13. Trina Solar, �Trina Solar Vertex 670W TSM-DEG21C.20�. Accessed: Nov. 22, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://pages.trinasolar.com/DEG21C20.html

  14. Huawei, �Huawei SUN2000-330KTL-H1-H2 Smart PV Global�, huawei. Accessed: Nov. 22, 2025. [Online]. Available: //solar.huawei.com/en/products/sun2000-330ktl-h1-h2/support

  15. European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity, �Entsoe Energy Transparency Platform�, Traansparency Platform. Accessed: Nov. 23, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://transparency.entsoe.eu/market/energyPrices

  16. T. Dimitriou, N. Skandalos, D. Karamanis, T. Dimitriou, N. Skandalos, and D. Karamanis, �Progress in Improving Photovoltaics Longevity�, Applied Sciences, vol. 14, no. 22, Nov. 2024, DOI: 10.3390/app142210373.

    View DOICrossrefGoogle ScholarWeb of ScienceScopusOpenCitations

  17. Swedbank, �Swedbank Solar Panel Loans�, Swedbank Solar Panel Loans. Accessed: Nov. 23, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.swedbank.lv/private/ credit/loans/ solar?language=ENG

  18. SolarPower Europe, �Europea �European Market Outlook for Battery Storage-2025-2029�, SolarPower Europe, Brussels, July 2025. Accessed: Nov. 23, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.solarpowereurope.org/insights/outlooks/european-market-outlook-for-battery-storage-2025-2029

  19. X. Yang, Q. Gao, H. Duan, and R. Wang, �Exploring the role of entertainment transition in mitigating consumption-side GHG emissions�, iScience, vol. 28, no. 6, June 2025, DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2025.112674.

    View DOICrossrefGoogle ScholarWeb of ScienceScopusOpenCitations

  20. C. J. Corbett and R. P. Turco, �Sustainability in the Motion Picture Industry�, University of California Los Angeles UCLA Institute of the Environment, Nov. 2006. [Online]. Available: http://personal. anderson.ucla. edu/charles.corbett/ papers/ mpis_report.pdf

  21. European Comission, �Climate Action Progress Report 2024 - country profile Latvia�, European Commission, Jan. 2024. Accessed: Sept. 14, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://climate.ec.europa.eu/document/download/01e0baef-0a26-4dda-bc50-b3f87dbd5e e2_en?filename=lv_2024_factsheet_en.pdf&prefLang=fr

  22. European Parliament, Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (�European Climate Law�). 2021.

  23. International Energy Agencu, �Global Energy Review 2025�, 2025, [Online]. Available:https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/5b169aa1-bc88-4c96-b828-aaa50406 ba80/GlobalEnergyReview2025.pdf

  24. J. Malmodin, �. Moberg, D. Lund�n, G. Finnveden, and N. L�vehagen, �Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Operational Electricity Use in the ICT and Entertainment & Media Sectors�, J of Industrial Ecology, vol. 14, no. 5, pp. 770�790, Oct. 2010, DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-9290.2010.00278.x.

    View DOICrossrefGoogle ScholarWeb of ScienceScopusOpenCitations

  25. ZIEHL-ABEGG, �Axial fan MAXventowlet�, ZIEHL-ABEGG. Accessed: Nov. 22, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.ziehl-abegg.com/en/products/maxventowlet

  26. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, �Improving Fan System Performance: A Sourcebook for Industry�, 2003. Accessed: Nov. 22, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://research-hub.nrel.gov/en/publications/improving-fan-system-performance-a-sourcebook-for-industry/

  27. Weg, �Specification Guide Electric Motors�. Accessed: Jan. 11, 2025. [Online]. Available:https://static.weg.net/medias/downloadcenter/ha0/h5f/WEG-motors-specifica tion-of-electric-motors-50039409-brochure-english-web.pdf [10]J. Tang, �Motor Sizing Basics Part 2: How to Calculate Load Inertia�, Oriental Motor USA Corp. Accessed: Nov. 22, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://blog. orientalmotor. com/motor-sizing-basics-part-2-load-inertia

  28. R.Grundmann, �Elementary Fan Technology�. TROX. [Online]. Available: https://www.trox.de/en/downloads/075547b0eb5193ae/346_elementary_fan_technology.pdf

  29. ABB, �37 kW, 6-pole TEFC Induction Motor, Catalogue / Technical Data Sheet�,. ABB, 2019.

  30. Latvijas Vides, geologijas un meteorologijas centrs, �Liepaja meteorological station archive�. Accessed: Nov. 22, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://videscentrs.lvgmc.lv

  31. Trina Solar, �Trina Solar Vertex 670W TSM-DEG21C.20�. Accessed: Nov. 22, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://pages.trinasolar.com/DEG21C20.html

  32. Huawei, �Huawei SUN2000-330KTL-H1-H2 Smart PV Global�, huawei. Accessed: Nov. 22, 2025. [Online]. Available: //solar.huawei.com/en/products/sun2000-330ktl-h1-h2/support

  33. European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity, �Entsoe Energy Transparency Platform�, Traansparency Platform. Accessed: Nov. 23, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://transparency.entsoe.eu/market/energyPrices

  34. T. Dimitriou, N. Skandalos, D. Karamanis, T. Dimitriou, N. Skandalos, and D. Karamanis, �Progress in Improving Photovoltaics Longevity�, Applied Sciences, vol. 14, no. 22, Nov. 2024, DOI: 10.3390/app142210373.

    View DOICrossrefGoogle ScholarWeb of ScienceScopusOpenCitations

  35. Swedbank, �Swedbank Solar Panel Loans�, Swedbank Solar Panel Loans. Accessed: Nov. 23, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.swedbank.lv/private/ credit/loans/ solar?language=ENG

  36. SolarPower Europe, �European Market Outlook for Battery Storage-2025-2029�, SolarPower Europe, Brussels, July 2025. Accessed: Nov. 23, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.solarpowereurope.org/insights/outlooks/european-market-outlook-for-battery-storage-2025-2029

View or Download full articleAccess options
Full paper accessChoose SWS login, librarian support, or instant article download.

SWS access login

Login as SWS Scientific Committee

Authors and approved SWS contributors will read and export their own linked papers after identity matching by SWS profile, email and SGEM GlobalID.

For librarian assistance: [email protected]

Purchase Instant Access

48-hour online accessComing soon
Online-only accessComing soon
Download the full article in PDF formatEUR 35
  • Article can be downloaded after successful payment.
  • Article may be used according to SWS library access terms.
  • Article cannot be redistributed.
Get full paper

Back to publication list