Feasibility Study of Wind Energy Potential in Turkey: Case Study of Catalca District in Istanbul

Abstract

This paper presents a technical evaluation of the wind potential for the present and the future integration challenges into the Turkey power network. The first part evaluates the feasibility of sites, installments, operation and maintenance. The second part investigates the wind energy integration in the Turkey power network. To determine the potential availability of wind energy in Turkey, feasibility evaluation based on the hourly measured wind speed data for the three years 2008–2010 at 30 m height in Catalca district is done. These data were obtained from the national meteorology station in Istanbul - the Republic of Turkey are analyzed in order to evaluate the feasibility of wind power potential and to assure supreme assortment of wind turbines installing for the area of interest. Furthermore, the data are extrapolated and analyzed at 60 m and 80 m regarding the variability of the roughness factor. Weibull bi-parameter probability function is used to approximate monthly and annual wind potential and power density based on three calculation methods, namely, the approximated, the graphical and the energy pattern factor methods. The annual mean wind power densities were to be 400.31, 540.08 and 611.02 W/m2 for 30, 60, and 80 m heights respectively. Simulation results prove that the analyzed area is an appropriate place for constructing large-scale wind farms. Key words: wind energy, wind speed, wind turbines, feasibility study.