Assessment of Wind Energy Potential in Italy

This thesis presents a comprehensive assessment of Italy’s wind energy potential, integrating a wide range of turbine technologies, regulatory frameworks, and multiscale spatial analyses. The study covers the performance of small-scale vertical and horizontal axis wind turbines as well as medium and large-scale turbines up to 1 MW. Special attention is given to small wind turbines (5–10 kW) in both rural and urban environments, analyzing noise regulations, incentive schemes, and practical deployment challenges. Selected turbines are compared in terms of productivity and performance indicators under various wind regimes. A macro- and mesoscale wind resource analysis was conducted using hourly data from the New European Wind Atlas (NEWA). Wind speeds were extrapolated to hub heights between 30 and 100 meters, and energy yields were estimated by fitting a two-parameter Weibull distribution, enabling the calculation of capacity factors (CF) and annual energy production (AEP). The analysis identifies high-potential areas across Italy and evaluates spatial feasibility by comparing wind resources with topography and population density. The thesis also investigates the temporal complementarity between wind and solar photovoltaic power using the Total Variation Complementarity Index (Φ), providing a detailed national mapping. Results show that hybrid renewable systems can significantly enhance energy reliability, particularly in coastal and southern regions. This work offers a robust technical and territorial framework to guide future investments in wind energy, supporting sustainable energy planning and the development of resilient, decentralized power systems in Italy.