Assessment of wind energy potential of Hat Yai (Songkhla), Thailand

Abstract

Due to environmental problems associated with fossil fuels and rising need for energy, wind power renewable energy will play a vital role in transformation of future energy structure in Thailand. Exploitation of wind energy for sustainable development, wind resource assessment plays an important role in wind power utilization. This case study presents wind resource assessment using the wind atlas analysis and application program (WAsP), in order to assess the potential of wind energy in Hat Yai, Thailand. Ten-minutes interval wind data observed by the Thai Meteorological Department recorded during the period 2017-2019, have been used to harness adequate wind power density and wind energy potential. The annual mean wind speed is 3.5 m/s at 10 m height above the ground. The prevailing direction southwest, south and northeast of the wind rose are very pronounced. The WAsP analysis estimates about 2,731.28 MWh of the total net annual energy production for the specific sites using the Enercon E-18 (80 kW) wind turbine of 1.92 MW capacity. The findings of this study indicate the possibility of the small-scale wind farm project for electricity generation in future.