Offshore wind power atlas of the Black Sea Region

Abstract

This study presents an offshore wind power density atlas of the Black Sea Region, including the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, and the Sea of Marmara, by taking variable air density into account as a function of temperature, pressure, and water content. ECMWF ERA-Interim Reanalysis data spanned over 37 years have been analyzed and monthly average wind speeds, wind speed Weibull scale, and shape parameters, air density, wind power, and operational percentages were presented in the form of maps for 50 m of altitude. Cumulative wind power density frequency maps were generated for 6 percentiles. It is found out that the monthly mean air density has an annual variation of about 9%, which directly affects the available wind power. Results show that the wind power density in the region increases in the West and the North directions, having the maximum potential at the North-West part of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The power density at these locations can be classified as class 4 wind power according to the classification defined by the U.S. Department of Energy.