High Wind Potential Research Articles

A Technical Review of Building Integrated Wind Turbine System and a Sample Simulation Model in Central Java, Indonesia

Indonesia is an archipelago country and has significant wind energy potential. This paper investigated the potential of wind energy on the building based on location in Central Java Province, Indonesia. The results show that overall, Yogyakarta and Semarang, offers a much higher wind potential than other location. Four different sample models for buildings and houses are explained with CFD models. This study reports the investigation results of wind energy potential in building especially in Yogyakarta and Semarang. Hence, Yogyakarta has potential for high rise building that integrated with wind turbine and Semarang has potential for roof mounted-micro wind turbine.

Planning globally, protesting locally: Patterns in community perceptions towards the installation of wind farms

The evidence is compelling that extended use and production of energy are globally responsible for the serious deterioration of physical environment and climate change. The further penetration of renewable energy sources (RES) emerges as a crucial factor contributing to the mitigation of global warming. Within this framework wind energy is expected to have a leading role for Greece's compliance with the EU environmental targets of 2020. However, the installation of wind parks in specific regions with high wind potential is seriously constrained by the reaction of local communities. Using a survey the present research dissects public acceptance for existing and proposed wind farms in the region of Southern Evia, Greece. Results indicate an overall support for wind energy and confirm the growing inconvenience with NIMBYism, especially in areas with existing wind parks in operation, as a theoretical framework explaining resistance to planned wind energy investments. By contrasting self-reported ex ante- and ex post-perceptions of impacts and benefits we highlight the role of experience in community acceptance of wind energy installations. Our statistical models prescribe the profile of those most probably in favour of existing installations, new installations in other parts of Evia or new installations elsewhere in Greece. Finally, we introduce the ‘Not-In-My-Front-Yard’ (NIMFY) syndrome suggesting that the impact of visibility on public acceptance is far from being a simple concept as it is linked to both a physical landscape context and socio-economic parameters.

Estimation of wind energy production in various sites in Australia for different wind turbine classes: A comparative technical and economic assessment

This study examines the effect of different wind turbine classes on the electricity production of wind farms in three areas of Australia, which present low, low to medium, and medium to high wind potential: Gingin, Armidale, and Gold Coast Seaway. Wind turbine classes determine the suitability of installing a wind turbine in a particulate site. Wind turbine data from six different manufacturers have been used. For each manufacturer, at lest two wind turbines with identical rated power (in the range of 1.5 MW–3 MW) and different wind turbine classes (IEC I, IEC II and/or IEC III) are compared. The results show the superiority of wind turbines that are designed for lower wind speeds (higher IEC class) in all three locations, in terms of energy production. This improvement is higher for the locations with lower and medium wind potential (Gingin and Armidale), and varies from 5% to 55%. Moreover, this study investigates the economical feasibility of a 30 MW wind farm, for all combinations of site locations and wind turbine models.

The role of hydrogen-based energy storage in the support of large-scale wind energy integration in island grids

To confront problems concerning large-scale integration of renewable energy sources, introduction of energy storage constantly gains ground. Benefits stemming from the adoption of energy storage include exploitation of otherwise rejected energy, increased reliability of energy supply and improved operation of a given power system overall. In this regard, contribution of such systems in achieving large-scale integration of wind energy into island grids is currently considered. More precisely, fuel cells and hydrogen storage (FC–HS) are investigated, in comparison with conventional batteries. For this purpose, a simulation algorithm is developed to study the energy performance of different FC–HS configurations used to recover wind energy curtailments. The developed algorithm is then applied to a representative Aegean island of medium–high quality wind potential. Results obtained indicate that FC–HS may become attractive in comparison with conventional batteries, only in the case that the use of hydrogen surplus to cover other energy flows is also put forward.

Innovative Energy Storage for Off-Grid RES-Based Power Systems: Integration of Flywheels with Hydrogen Utilization in Fuel Cells

AbstractThis work investigates the feasibility of a renewable energy sources (RES)-based stand-alone power system for electricity supply, to several simulated buildings, where energy is stored in a flywheel energy storage system (FESS). The system is assumed to be located on Naxos Island, Greece, due to the island’s high wind and solar potential and was designed to cover both the load of a typical house and a country house, where the excess electricity could be sold to the grid. An innovative storage device type, consisting of flywheels and electrochemical batteries, was selected as the energy buffer. The energy produced by hydrogen used in the proton electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell (FC) charges the flywheel. This apparatus is compared to diesel generators commonly used in stationary applications. Optimization of the system, in terms of energy efficiency and economic feasibility, is also considered. The two systems were simulated using sensitivity, optimization, and simulation modeling software, and ...

Temporal assessment of wind energy resource at four locations in Algerian Sahara

This paper presents a statistical analysis of wind characteristics of four locations situated in Algerian Sahara, namely Bordj Badji Mokhtar, Djanet, Illizi and Tamanrasset, using Weibull distribution function on wind speed data at 10m height collected in the last decade by the Algerian Meteorological Office. The monthly, seasonal and annual variations were examined by statistical analyses, while wind speeds at 50m were assessed by extrapolating the 2-parameter Weibull using the power law. It is shown that Bordj Badji Mokhtar has the highest wind potential with the annual mean wind speed Vm=5m/s.The average monthly mean wind speed variation ranged from 2.54m/s at Tamanrasset to 4.94m/s at Bordj Badji Mokhtar, while the minimum seasonal mean wind speed is recorded at Djanet with 2.65m/s and the maximum is found to be 5.79m/s at Bordj Badji Mokhtar. Annual wind power density ranged from 48W/m2 at Tamanrasset to 204W/m2 at Bordj Badji Mokhtar is recorded. Weibull parameters k and A together were estimated and compared with the variation of air temperature for the respective locations. Results indicate that wind speed is most important and most uniform in hottest periods. Additionally, the analysis of energy efficiency for wind turbine of 600kW rated capacity was made for calculating electricity generation and capacity factor for all periods.

Wind energy resources analysis of Western Greece coast in terms of sustainable environmental indicators and towards their community-based exploitation in South-East Europe

Wind energy resources in the Ionian-Adriatic coast of South-East Europe were analyzed. Status of wind energy development in the countries of Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Croatia and regions of moderate and high wind potential at their west coasts were reviewed. The feasibility of the application of specific wind turbine generators with lower cut-in, cut-out, and rated speeds in moderate wind fields was investigated. The wind speed and direction as well as the availability, the duration, and the diurnal variation of several coastal sites in Western Greece were assessed, and the results were statistically analyzed as time-series or with the Weibull probability distribution function. The mean wind power densities were less than 200 W m−2 at 10 m, suggesting the limiting suitability of the sites for the usual wind energy applications. However, further technical-economical analysis revealed that the recent technological turbine improvements with lower cut-in and rated speeds make wind power viable even at moderate wind fields. Environmental indicators like energy payback period and avoided greenhouse emissions were determined to be significant for the utilization of wind energy resources in these coastal areas. Since the region is important for sea-related activities, the implementation of wind energy applications in the frame of cross-border cooperation should be prioritized.

Wind power plant energy control and evacuation in Eastern Herzegovina

Power plant electricity production control is very much dependent on the type of power plant. Some types, such as storage hydro, have very good power control capabilities. On the other hand, electricity production of wind power plants is strongly dependent on the wind that is forecasted with some degree of uncertainty. If wind power plant production misses the schedule submitted to transmission system operator, the production of another power plant has to be altered in order to compensate mismatch of scheduled power production. This specially refers to sudden changes caused by outage of wind generators as a result of high wind speed. Wind power plants control could cause unpredictable power flows in the transmission network if their production is controlled by power plants that are not located in their electrical vicinity. This paper reviews the Balkans region characterized by high wind potential, the existing hydro power plants enabling efficient power control, and potential for construction of perspective hydro power plants, making this region very suitable for construction of large wind power plants.

Assessment of wind energy potential for selected areas in Jordan

This paper presents a technical assessment of wind power potential for seven locations in Jordan using statistical analysis to determine the wind characteristic based on the measured wind data. Rayleigh distribution is used to model the monthly average data and used to estimate the wind power in the selected locations. Energy calculations, capacity factors and cost of wind energy production were determined for the selected locations with wind machines of different sizes ranging between 1.65 MW and 3 MW. The quantitative estimates of the technical and economic potential are presented graphically. Rayleigh parameter is adjusted to the hub height using one seventh power law to estimate the power output of the machine. The energy cost analyses show that all selected sites have high economic potential with unit cost less than $0.04/kWh of electricity. The lowest unit cost per kWh is obtained by using GE 2.5 MW at Tafila site. Finally, the results of this study reveal that Jordan has high potential wind energy and its environmental and energy policy targets can be met by exploitation wind energy.

Wind Potential Assessment and Optimization of Wind Turbine Blade for Coastal Area of Jiwani Balochistan Pakistan

The coastline of Pakistan extends 1,050 km (650 miles), with an high wind energy potential in areas of Jiwani and Pasni. This high potential wind energy may be efficiently utilized if it is properly assessed and optimization techniques are applied. The present work is related to the assessment of wind potential for the coastal area of Jiwani Balochistan and consequently steps are suggested to optimize the wind turbine blade for effective utilization of the available wind energy through numerical modeling and simulation.. The aim of the research work is to focus on the wind conditions in Jiwani coastal site and to assess the requirement for a small scale wind turbine and perform the design optimization of the turbine blades to produce power at even low wind speeds. Four years wind data (i.e. 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009) of the Jiwani was collected and based upon the available data wind turbine blade was designed and optimized for maximum power output for that area. This study addresses the method of wind turbine blade optimization through Blade Element Momentum (BEM) theory and results were confirmed through CFD software COSMOS flow works 2009. The work was carried out on a three blade horizontal axis wind turbine by considering the performance of its blades and effect of changing the airfoil sections of the blade along its length. The best blade shape was obtained from BEM theory calculations with maximum coefficient of performance (CP). The design parametric studies were conducted for six sections of blade including angle of twist, length of blade, chord and found the significant effect over the coefficient of performance (CP). It was shown that the efficiency of wind turbine may be improved and power output can be enhanced through the change in design of blade as well as by the angle of twist.

Diseño y evaluación experimental de un nuevo dispositivo mecánico para el control de potencia de pequeños aerogeneradores en régimen de sobrevelocidad del viento

En este trabajo se realiza el diseño y pruebas de un nuevo dispositivo mecánico acoplado a la Cola-Veleta de un pequeño aerogenerador, tal que autorregula y controla la potencia instantánea de generación durante las sobrevelocidades de viento. La faja costera rural y zonas altoandinas del Perú, poseen gran potencial eólico, pero contrariamente se tienen nulos servicios eléctricos. En este escenario, la dotación de electricidad mediante microaerogeneradores constituye una alternativa estratégica. Una desventaja de los vientos característicos de las zonas de influencia es su alta variación de velocidades, cuyo efecto adverso en el aerogenerador es la destrucción prematura del bobinado del generador de imanes permanentes y rotura de palas. Las pruebas de regulación y control de potencia de aerogeneración se realizaron en el Túnel de Viento del Laboratorio de Energía de la Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica de la UNI. Los resultados se dan en las curvas de potencia del conjunto aerogenerador de ensayo, donde se demuestra el control del crecimiento de la potencia generada, en el rango de velocidades de viento superiores a la condición nominal de diseño del aerogenerador. También se demuestra la confiabilidad del mecanismo cuando se somete a velocidades extremas de viento hasta alcanzar el bloqueo del aerogenerador, así como la inmediata recuperación continua de operación a medida que la velocidad de viento disminuye hacia condiciones nominales de trabajo.

The assessment of the contribution of short-term wind power predictions to the efficiency of stand-alone hybrid systems

Distribution of electricity to the rural areas, particularly in regions which have rough topography causes high costs and losses. Hybrid systems can provide electricity at a relatively economic price at these regions. This paper designs and tests a stand-alone hybrid system combining variable speed wind turbine (WT), fuel cell (FC) and battery. The main objective is to optimize the hydrogen utilization while guaranteeing the load balance implicitly as well as to achieve proper FC operation. To this end, a wind power prediction based controller is proposed in order to take action according to foreseen amount of power deficit or excess in the system. For the purpose of investigating the effects of predictions on the system efficiency, a case study is carried out on a coastal area with a high wind potential in Izmir, Turkey. The results obtained provide insights about the advantages of utilizing wind power predictions in a hybrid system.

Assessment of Commercial Wind Profiles for Bangladesh in Hotspots Determined by the UNEP

This paper predicts pragmatic turbine level profiles of wind power, the fastest growing source of renewable energy in the world, for zonal areas in the South Asian country of Bangladesh selected on the basis of global readings provided by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). Without focusing exclusively on the coastal belt according to tradition, hotspots (regions with high wind potential) uniformly located around the country are taken into consideration. Nine observation stations from three such hotspots in the country are documented with respect to statistics of wind speed, vertical power law coefficients, wind power density distribution at different heights, extraction of energy factor, prominent direction distribution of wind, and approximation of weibull density functions over a ten year period using measured meteorological raw data. Profiles are projected for commercial turbine heights (~40-60m) and the available internationally accepted power classes for wind are identified at the stations to assess the true wind potential of Bangladesh.

Intelligent heating control of a new ice-free anemometer

Abstract The wind industry has grown over the years along with the collective desire to produce clean energy. High wind potential sites are often located in northern regions where harsh climatic conditions arise. The performance of anemometers, which provide essential measurements to wind turbine operation and wind resource assessment, is then jeopardized by ice build-up and snow accumulation. These conditions result in the need for heated instruments able to remain ice-free regardless of weather conditions while minimizing energy consumption. The main objective of this work was to develop an intelligent heating control for a new generation of ice-free anemometers. The controller is based on vision recognition of ice build-up on the cups of the anemometer using a neural network. Heating power is applied according to the icing state and the icing history of the instrument. Primary results have shown that, for a completely ice-free performance, the developed controller uses an average of less than two thirds of the energy consumed by common control systems similar to those used by other ice-free anemometers available on the market.

Multicriteria GIS modeling of wind and solar farms in Colorado

The majority of electricity and heat in Colorado comes from coal and natural gas; however, renewable energy sources will play an integral role in the state’s energy future. Colorado is the 11th windiest state and has more than 250 sunny days per year. The objectives of this research are to: 1) determine which landcover classes are affiliated with high wind and solar potential; and 2) identify areas that are suitable for wind and solar farms using multicriteria GIS modelling techniques. Renewable potential (NREL wind speed measurements at 50 m above the ground and NREL annual insolation data), landcover, population density, federal lands, and distance to roads, transmission lines, and cities were reclassified according to their suitability. Each was assigned weights based on their relative importance to one another. Superb wind classes are located in high alpine areas. Unfortunately, these areas are not suitable for large-scale wind farm development due to their inaccessibility and location within a sensitive ecosystem. Federal lands have low wind potential. According to the GIS model, ideal areas for wind farm development are located in northeastern Colorado. About 41 850 km 2 of the state has model scores that are in the 90–100% range. Although annual solar radiation varies slightly, inter-mountain areas receive the most insolation. As far as federal lands, Indian reservations have the greatest solar input. The GIS model indicates that ideal areas for solar development are located in northwestern Colorado and east of Denver. Only 191 km 2 of the state had model scores that were in the 90–100% range. These results suggest that the variables used in this analysis have more of an effect at eliminating non-suitable areas for large-scale solar farms; a greater area exists for suitable wind farms. However, given the statewide high insolation values with minimal variance, solar projects may be better suited for small-scale residential or commercial projects.

Wind power in Argentina: Policy instruments and economic feasibility

Despite its great wind endowment, Argentina has not still succeeded in increasing wind power share in its wholesale market. However, the energy supply problem that this country is facing from 2004 on seems to open an opportunity for wind energy projects. A wide range of legislation has recently emerged. In this context, this paper discusses whether policy instruments in the Argentinean regulatory frame contribute to economic feasibility for wind power projects or not. To this purpose, we study wind installed capacity, Argentinean wind potential, the different promotion tools used worldwide and those employed in Argentina. Finally, we realize a feasibility study for a typical project. We found, that in spite of its high wind potential, economic feature, related to policy instruments, have been a boundary to the development of wind energy into the energy mix.

Sustainable energy planning based on a stand-alone hybrid renewableenergy/hydrogen power system: Application in Karpathos island, Greece

This study presents the sustainable planning of a renewables-based energy system, which aims to fulfil the electric needs of the island by replacing the existing diesel generators with new wind farms, photovoltaic installations and hydrogen production systems. Electric system design and least cost planning analysis were concluded using historic data from both demand and supply sides. An optimal “sustainable island” scheme should ensure 100% use of renewable energy resources for power generation, while hydrogen production is ideal for covering storage and transportation needs. Due to its morphology and scale, Karpathos applies perfectly for wind and solar energy systems, due to increased solar resource (about 1790 kWh/m 2.year of global irradiation) and high wind potential (average of 9 m/s in specific locations). Therefore, this case study examines an increase in RES penetration up to 20% in the electric energy mixture, a hydrogen production plan just for the needs of transport and a more aggressive, 100% renewables scheme that ensures a self-fulfilling energy system based on indigenous renewable resources.

CARACTERIZACIÓN DE LA INTENSIDAD DEL VIENTO EN LA PROVINCIA DE ALMERÍA.

This article studies the wind strength in the province of Almery, using several techniques. It is based on data from 17 weather-stations (from 2000 to 2008). To start, it analyzes wind trend through special techniques, obtaining a range between 341.33 - 409,6 days ( in relationship with the studied period). Secondly it sets a minimum and maximum in the wind strength range (outside the 17 meteor-stations) and so it generates maps of wind (through interpolation space in a GIS) for each of theses ranges. These maps show that in the interior area, corresponding to Tijola-Finana-Cortafuego Triangle, the wind strength maximum is 2,5 and 4 m*s-1 and in the same area the wind strength minimum ( 3,7 - 5,2 m*s-1 ) in the highest level: in short this area is an high potential wind power.

A new computational algorithm for the calculation of maximum wind energy penetration in autonomous electrical generation systems

The entirety of Aegean Sea Islands, including Crete, is characterized during the last decade by a considerable annual increase of the electrical power demand exceeding the 5% in annual basis. This continuous amplifying electricity consumption is hardly fulfilled by several outmoded internal combustion engines usually at a very high operational cost. On the other hand most of the islands possess high wind potential that may substantially contribute in order to meet the corresponding load demand. However, in this case some wind energy absorption problems related with the collaboration between wind parks and the local electricity production system cannot be neglected. In this context, the present study is devoted to realistically estimating the maximum wind energy absorption in autonomous electrical island networks. For this purpose a new reliable and integrated numerical algorithm is developed, using the available information of the corresponding electricity generation system, in order to calculate the maximum acceptable wind power contribution in the system, under the normal restrictions that the system manager imposes. The proposed algorithm is successfully compared with existing historical data as well as with the results of a recent investigation based almost exclusively on the existing wind parks energy production.

Maximum wind potential exploitation in autonomous electrical networks on the basis of stochastic analysis

The vast majority of Aegean Archipelago Islands cover their continuously increasing electricity demand on the basis of oil-fired autonomous thermal power stations, presenting increased operational cost and power insufficiency. On the other hand, this area has a very high wind potential. However, the stochastic behaviour of the wind and the important fluctuations of daily and seasonal electricity load pose a substantial penetration limit for the contribution of wind energy in the corresponding load demand. The problem investigated in the present study concerns the estimation of the maximum wind energy yield, which is acceptable by an autonomous electrical network, on the basis of the probability distribution of the local grid load demand and the corresponding data related to the available wind potential. For this purpose, an integrated numerical method is developed from first principles. More specifically, the proposed calculation method estimates the maximum wind energy contribution on the basis of the existing wind potential data and the information provided by the system operator concerning the corresponding load demand as well as the operational status of the existing thermal power stations. According to the results obtained, one may state that the present situation imposes a quite narrow limit on the wind energy contributing to the fulfilment of the local societies electrical needs. Hence, only by planning and applying an integrated new strategy concerning the incorporation of new wind power in the local networks, including complementary activities, appropriate energy storage installations and improved electrical load management, it is possible to increase the wind energy participation in the autonomous Islands electrical networks.