Bigger Is Not Always Better: Review of Small Wind in Brazil
Fábio Ricardo Procópio de Araújo,
Marcio Giannini Pereira,
Marcos Aurélio Vasconcelos Freitas,
Neilton Fidelis da Silva,
Eduardo Janser de Azevedo Dantas
Affiliations
Fábio Ricardo Procópio de Araújo
Energy Planning Program (PPE), Coordination of Post-Graduation Programs in Engineering of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (COPPE/UFRJ), Bloco C, Sala C-211, C.P. 68565, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21945-970, Brazil
Marcio Giannini Pereira
Electric Power Research Center (CEPEL), Av. Horácio de Macedo N. 354-Sala C-22, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21941-911 , Brazil
Marcos Aurélio Vasconcelos Freitas
Energy Planning Program (PPE), Coordination of Post-Graduation Programs in Engineering of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (COPPE/UFRJ), Bloco C, Sala C-211, C.P. 68565, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21945-970, Brazil
Neilton Fidelis da Silva
Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Norte-IFRN, Rua Dr. Nilo Bezerra Ramalho, 1692, Natal 59015-300, Brazil
Eduardo Janser de Azevedo Dantas
Energy Planning Program (PPE), Coordination of Post-Graduation Programs in Engineering of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (COPPE/UFRJ), Bloco C, Sala C-211, C.P. 68565, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21945-970, Brazil
This century registers a significant expansion in the wind power market. However, the vast majority of these investments are concentrated in large wind turbines. The century begins with an installed capacity of about 20 GW, which reaches 650 GW in 2019. On the other hand, it is important to highlight that small wind turbines have not followed this virtuous path, a fact that is evident in Brazil’s reality. In this context, the article aims at evaluating the current situation of the wind energy market for Small Wind Turbines in Brazil (SWT) and its future perspectives, identifying the main characteristics of the sector, its challenges, and opportunities. It is an exploratory–explanatory research study that investigates the theme, generating knowledge that turns to practical application, as it seeks answers to solve local interests. This methodological approach provides objective evidence that the production of knowledge about the use of SWT in Brazil still remains embryonic, shaded by the impressive progress registered by the major wind farms in the country, despite all the potential and socioeconomic and environmental attractions. This fact credits the revision research with an innovative role in the apprehension of knowledge related to the development of SWT in Brazil.
