Wind energy
There is a wind farm on the Galgenberg in the district of Rabenstein, consisting of seven wind turbines with a total installed nominal output of 10,600 kilowatts (kW). Four turbines with a rated output of 2,000 kW each have been in operation since 2010 and three further turbines with 600 kW and 1,000 kW each were erected back in 2001.
In addition to the material fatigue of the vibrating components, the end of the 20-year EEG feed-in tariff requires a reassessment of the cost and revenue factors of an existing turbine compared to the repowering potential.
Repowering describes the dismantling of older turbines and the erection of new wind turbines of the latest performance standards at the same or neighbouring locations. Wind blows more consistently at higher altitudes and larger rotors catch more wind, which increases the annual electricity production of repowered wind turbines. The aim of repowering is to achieve an improved energy yield without having to designate new areas for the utilisation of wind energy.