An assessment of observed wind speed and wind power density over China for 1980–2021

Abstract

AbstractThe spatiotemporal characteristics of the near‐surface wind speed (NWS), wind speed at 100 m hub height (HWS), and wind power density (WPD) over China are assessed during 1980–2021. A homogenization process is applied to NWS at 292 basic meteorological stations. A total of 336 breakpoints are recognized, with 122 associated with instrument replacement, 113 attributed to station relocation, and 101 due to unrecorded reasons. The homogenization method does not alter the spatial patterns or seasonal variations of NWS, but it does boost the mean NWS over China annually and seasonally, while also strengthening the long‐term decreasing trends. As for the temporal standard deviation (STD) for NWS, high values are primarily found over Inner Mongolia and Northeast China, with the seasonal maximum occurring in spring. After homogenization, the STD of NWS over China is reduced annually and seasonally, and the long‐term decreasing trends are somewhat weaker. The results for HWS are comparable to those for NWS. Notably, the lower mean state and weaker fluctuation of wind speed in recent years have two opposing implications for wind power production. Similar to the NWS mean state, the annual mean WPD over China is largely increased after homogenization with a faster decreasing trend.