Introducing the IRES Tool: A Data-Driven Excel Model for Wind Farm Repowering

Abstract

The transition to renewable energy is crucial for addressing climate change and ensuring energy security. Wind energy plays a central role in this shift, but as many wind farms approach the end of their operational lifespan, repowering emerges as a key strategy to enhance energy production and optimize land use. However, repowering involves complex decision-making processes, requiring a comprehensive assessment of technical, economic, and environmental factors. To support stakeholders in evaluating repowering potential, this study introduces the IRES Repowering Tool, an innovative Excel-based solution designed to streamline wind turbine repowering analysis. The tool provides a step-by-step interface that enables users to explore different repowering scenarios, optimize energy output, assess costs, and evaluate hydrogen production potential. This study highlights the role of repowering in supporting Germany’s renewable energy goals, addressing regulatory challenges, and integrating wind power with green hydrogen production. By examining real-world case studies and analyzing key parameters such as Levelized Cost of Energy and energy yield improvements, the IRES Repowering Tool offers a structured, data-driven approach to decision-making in wind farm repowering.