The Assessment of Wind Energy Potential within the Carpathian Region of Ukraine

Abstract

Since the limited and incomplete information about wind energy potential is a serious obstacle to the development of renewable energy, it is necessary to assess wind resources in order to obtain the data about the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of wind and its energy value to determine the feasibility of placing wind turbines (windmills). The aim of the study is to provide the assessment of wind energy potential of Carpathian region of Ukraine. The main materials for the studies have become observation data of the wind characteristics at 26 weather stations at administrative regions of Carpathian region of Ukraine (Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Zakarpathian region and Chernivtsy) and 5 meteorological stations in neighbouring regions (Ternopil, Khmelnytsky) since 1899. The given comparison was made in order to assess the current state of the wind characteristics of climate change and their analysis of data from 2005-2015. We have obtained the following results. First of all, we have got the important characteristic of wind conditions on the territory which is wind speed. We established that long-term average wind speed in Carpathian region of Ukraine fluctuates within 1,0-3,7 m / s. We have built the map of the average annual wind speed in Carpathian region at the height of 100 m. We also provide the classification of promising areas for installation of wind turbines. Our conclusions are as follows. The results of research is based on getting the most favorable conditions for the development of industrial wind power are in the highlands of Carpathian region in the Ivano-Frankivsk and Zakarpathian regions and Roztocze in Lviv region. The medium power wind turbines are advisable to locate Podolsky hill in Lviv region and the sky Khotyn in Chernivtsy region. Favorable wind conditions for the wind turbines is small in most of Lviv region (especially the north-western and central areas), northern and south-western districts of Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsy central and northern Transcarpathian regions.