Micro-scale classification of offshore wind energy resource ——A case study of the New Zealand

Abstract

The classification of wind energy resources can provide reference for assessing optimal turbine locations. The traditional wind energy classification scheme is usually a single consideration of partial wind energy factors. This study aims to construct a micro-scale classification scheme of wind energy resource that incorporates a comprehensive consideration of wind energy factors, environment risk factor and cost factors. The wind energy classification of the New Zealand waters is presented as a case study by calculating the expectation values of wind energy. Results show that the expectation values of wind energy in most of the New Zealand are above 0.6 (belongs to rich area). Only a small range coast area is relatively low in expectation values of wind energy, but still above 0.5 (belongs to subrich area). The North Cape waters, the East Cape waters, the South Taranaki Bight and its northwest waters are relative large center of expectation values of wind energy. Comparing with the traditional wind energy classification schemes, our scheme can exhibit the regional difference of wind energy classification more obviously. However, the weight coefficient of the factors considered in this study is not fixed. Reasonably adjusting, adding or deleting the weight coefficients of the related factors according to different focus, the wind energy classification scheme proposed by this study can be widely used to provide scientific reference for the site selection of wind energy development under different actual demands.