Optimizing a Novel Wind Turbine for Sub-Saharan Africa: A Techno-Economic and Multicriteria Evaluation

Abstract

Wind energy has emerged as a key contributor to the global renewable energy mix, yet much of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remains underutilized due to predominantly low wind speeds and the limitations of conventional horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs). This study investigates the performance and economic viability of a novel Ferris-wheel wind turbine (FWT) optimized for low-wind conditions. Three FWT configurations, each rated at 800 kW with rim diameters of 200, 240, and 341 ft, were evaluated across five representative African countries: Rwanda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Namibia, and Morocco. Using 1-year (2024) wind data from the NASA POWER database and design-specific power curves, the study models capacity factor (CF), levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), operational wind days, and structural mass. A multicriteria trade-off analysis considering rim size, wind resource adaptability, operational performance, and structural feasibility was conducted. Results show that the 341 ft design consistently outperforms the smaller variants in energy yield and cost-effectiveness, achieving LCOEs below national electricity tariffs in all countries except Rwanda. The 240 ft design offers a favorable balance between performance and capital cost in moderate-wind locations, while the 200 ft design is generally unsuitable due to low output and high LCOE. These findings highlight the importance of matching turbine configuration to site-specific wind conditions and structural constraints. FWTs, particularly larger configurations, hold strong potential to expand wind energy deployment in SSA by offering grid-competitive and technically viable solutions for low-wind-speed environments.