# Hybrid Wind-Redox Flow Battery System for Decarbonizing Off-Grid Mining Operations
## 3 Methodology
### Sizing of the Energy System
#### 3.3.1. Sizing, Installation, and Cost of the Wind Farm  
Proper sizing and installation of the wind farm are critical, as site-specific characteristics directly influence turbine performance. The Raglan mining site in northern Canada experiences extreme cold temperatures throughout the year, making wind energy more suitable than solar power due to limited sunlight availability. Among the various renewable energy sources, wind power is particularly well-adapted to the climatic conditions of northern Canada [48]. As mentioned, the Raglan site currently operates two Enercon E-82 E4 wind turbines, each with a nominal power output of 3 MW, integrated into the 25 kV grid network. To expand the site's renewable energy capacity and advance its decarbonization objectives, the current project proposes deploying additional wind turbines of the latest ENERCON model, the E-115 EP3 E4. This upgraded model, featuring a 92 m mast and a nominal power rating of 4.260 MW, represents a 42% increase in capacity compared to the existing turbines. Table 3 summarizes the key characteristics of the wind turbines at the Raglan mine site. The E-115 wind turbine is significantly larger than its predecessor, featuring a rotor diameter of 115.7 m and a sweep area of approximately 10,516 m\({}^{2}\). One of its key advantages is the ability to generate higher energy output while reducing the number of turbines required, thereby minimizing land use and environmental impact. Additionally, this model \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c} \hline \hline  & \begin{tabular}{c} **Minimum Wind** \\ **Speed for a Wind** \\ **Turbine** \\ **Operation** \\ \end{tabular} & \
\begin{tabular}{c} **Wind Speed to** \\ **Reach Maximum** \\ **Power** \\ \end{tabular} &
\begin{tabular}{c} **Maximum** \\ **Operating Wind** \\ **Speed of the Wind** \\ **Turbine** \\ \end{tabular} \\ \hline E-82 & 3 m/s & 17 m/s & 26 m/s \\ \hline E-115 & 2 m/s & 14.5 m/s & 34 m/s \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 3: Characteristics of the wind turbines at the Raglan mine site. Figure 9: Number of occurrences of windless periods. is specifically designed to withstand Arctic conditions, including frost, extreme cold, and severe storms. Given the site's environmental challenges, the estimated operational lifespan of the wind turbines is conservatively set at 15 years for design purposes. However, the manufacturer specifies a lifespan of 25 years under standard operating conditions. Due to the extensive size of the Ragland mining site, careful selection of the wind farm's location is essential to ensure optimal connectivity to the 25 kV-G electrical network while facilitating access for maintenance teams. The area surrounding Katinniq has been identified as the most suitable location for the additional wind turbines. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) studies are planned to further refine site selection and optimize turbine placement, enabling the accurate assessment of wind characteristics, including speed, intensity, and directional patterns. A thorough analysis of investment costs is crucial in large-scale projects, as it informs key decisions regarding equipment selection, financial feasibility, and trade-offs between technical performance and site-specific constraints. Understanding these costs is essential for optimizing project design while balancing economic and environmental considerations. In recent years, the cost of wind energy projects has significantly declined and is expected to continue decreasing in the coming decades. According to [PERSON] and [PERSON] [50], this trend is driven by improvements in turbine performance, reduced energy losses and operational risks, enhanced cost management, and advances in materials and construction techniques. To evaluate the financial feasibility of the wind energy expansion at Ragland, this study employs the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) metric. LCOE is a key economic indicator that provides a comparative assessment of different energy technologies.