Airborne Wind Energy Potential in Türkiye: A Study of Wind Resource, Life Cycle Assessment, and Techno-Economic Analysis

Abstract

This paper provides an integrated assessment of Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) systems in Türkiye, evaluating their potential as a future renewable energy source. The study addresses key questions of resource availability, environmental impact, and economic viability through a threefold methodology applied to ten regions: 1) probabilistic wind modeling to accurately characterize high-altitude resources, 2) a comparative life-cycle assessment (LCA) to quantify environmental impacts against conventional turbines, and 3) a techno-economic analysis (TEA) to determine financial viability. Our results indicate that the Gamma distribution generally provides the most accurate model for the high-altitude wind profiles studied ( R2>0.997 ). The LCA reveals a compelling environmental case for AWE, with a global warming potential as low as 7.2 gCO2-eq/kWh in prime locations. The TEA projects a highly competitive levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), ranging from $ 0.042/kWh in wind-rich areas like Çanakkale to over $ 0.16/kWh in less ideal sites. With an internal rate of return exceeding 18% in the most favorable regions, the study concludes that AWE systems appear to be a technically promising and economically viable option for Türkiye, capable of matching or even outperforming conventional wind power in select locations.