Potential Of Wind Power Generation Research Articles

Wind power potential assessment of 12 locations in western Himalayan region of India

Wind power potential of a location has to be assessed for its effective utilization. The objective of the present study is to assess the wind resource potential of the western Himalayan Indian state of Himachal Pradesh to identify potential sites along with providing inputs to policy makers for exploiting wind potential of the region for wind power generation and mechanical applications. An overview of current status of wind resource assessment studies is presented to identify suitable techniques. Wind Energy Pattern Factor (WEPF) method is used to assess the wind potential of 12 locations covering different terrains and climatic zones using wind data for the period 2008–2012. Weibull and cumulative wind distributions, Weibull parameters and Wind Power Density (WPD) are determined for these locations. The highest daily mean wind speeds are observed in summers and lowest in winters in the region. Wind shear analysis is carried out which shows that wind speeds at 30 m, 50 m, 80 m and 100 m hub heights are found to increase by 10–17%, 26%, 34% and 39% respectively than those measured at 10 m height. The mean wind speed and WPD for the 12 locations are found to be in the range 3.9–4.7 m/s, 4.7–5.8 m/s, 5.7–7 m/s, 6.2–7.7 m/s and 14.09–22.15 W/m 2 , 52.67–82.79 W/m 2 , 97.23–152.82 W/m 2 , 170.9–268.62 W/m 2 , 223.37–351.1 W/m 2 at 30 m, 50 m, 80 m and 100 m heights respectively; thereby indicating fairly good wind potential for rooftop micro-wind turbines, battery charging, water pumping and wind power generation in western Himalayan region. WEPF method is also tested for accuracy. A correlation between measured wind data of Hamirpur and NASA wind data is developed with root mean square error as 0.3855 and R 2 as 92.61% showing that the method has sufficient accuracy. The correlation is used to predict measured wind speeds and power for locations for which measured wind data are not available. Further follow-up research areas are also identified.

Wind resource assessment for decentralised power generation: Case study of a complex hilly terrain in western Himalayan region

Micro-wind turbines have a vast potential for wind power generation for decentralised applications in remote locations for which detailed wind resource assessment has to be carried out. With this objective wind characteristic assessment for a location in western Himalayan region is carried out using Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program micro scale model. Wind potential is determined using measured wind data at 1min, 10min, hourly and daily intervals. The mean power density is found to be more for shorter time intervals. The vertical wind profiles at different hub heights 30m, 50m, 70m, 100m and 135m are determined. Weibull shape and scale parameters are found to range from 1.58 to 2.32 and 2 to 2.8, respectively indicating this location as a fairly windy site. The wind resource is found suitable for water pumping, roof top mounted micro-wind turbines up to 5kWp with low cut in wind speeds and for solar–wind hybrid systems for decentralised power generation. Further follow up research areas are identified for effective utilisation of this resource.

A computational fluid dynamics approach to wind prospecting: Lessons from the U.S. Appalachian region

A number of technological, institutional and market developments have lowered the minimally economic viable wind speeds for wind power generation while contributing to increasing profitability of the wind power industry in recent decades. Yet, information on the potential for wind power generation is still highly uncertain in many regions of the globe, particularly those with complex terrain features. We focus on an area by the foothills of the Appalachian region. Because we do not have precise wind measurements for this area, we do not attempt to produce an actual wind map, but instead use a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model to demonstrate the calculation of high resolution wind speeds with complex terrain information. Using this approach, we show how finer wind speed information can impact the status of an overlooked region in terms of its wind potential and improve wind prospecting by enabling investors to focus on the most promising sub-regions of a study area. Since private sector investors might not have the incentive to invest in finer-scale wind resource assessment that can be easily observed by competitors, public sector incentives or direct investments can help to promote wind power generation in overlooked but viable regions.

Assessment of wind power generation potential in Perlis, Malaysia

Abstract This paper presents analysis of the wind speed characteristics at Chuping and Kangar in Perlis, Malaysia. The characteristics consist of daily, monthly and annual mean wind speed. The Weibull distribution function is applied to analyze the wind speed characteristics and used to calculate the wind power generation potential. The wind power and energy as functions of tower height are presented and analyzed in this paper. The result shows that during 2005–2009 the mean wind speed at Chuping is 1.12 m/s, and during 2012–2013 the mean wind speed at Kangar is 2.50 m/s. Based on the analysis of the Weibull distribution function, the wind speed and probability density are, respectively, 0.97 m/s and 73% at Chuping, also 2.5 m/s and 45% at Kangar. They are important information to choose a suitable wind turbine for a wind power generation. The monthly mean wind power and energy density in the beginning (January–March) and the end (December) of year are higher than in the middle of year. The analysis result of the wind power and energy density as functions of tower height shows that higher tower height will produce higher wind power and energy density.

An extensive evaluation of wind resource using new methods and strategies for development and utilizing wind power in Mah-shahr station in Iran

In this study, the 10-min period measured short-term wind speed data at 10m and 40m heights for Mah-shahr station in Iran was statistically analyzed to determine the potential of wind power generation. In addition in this paper different distribution functions are compared to each other in order to find the best distribution in Mah-shahr which is compatible with the wind data. It is found that the Weibull distribution is the best function to model the wind data in Mah-shahr. It should also be mentioned that the different methods for calculating Weibull parameters were used and compared to each other. Moreover an extreme analysis of wind data in Mah-shahr was carried out to determine the maximum gust wind speed over a 50-year return period (Ve50). Using the method of “periodic maxima” for analysis of extreme winds, it was revealed that the 50-year wind speed at 80m in Mah-shahr which is 39.5m/s is lower than usual values of Ve50 limits for different wind turbines. This means that the risk of extreme wind gusts in Mah-shahr might not be a problem for installation of wind turbines. From the primary evaluation of wind data in Mah-shahr it is found the studied site has an acceptable potential of wind power for electricity generation. Energy production of different wind turbines at different heights is determined. Then a simple economic evaluation carried out to determine whether studied site is suitable for development of commercial or small and residential wind turbines. It became clear that the “Nordex N100/2500” with a rated power of 2500kW has the lowest price of electricity and has a high level of capacity factor. Thus in the second phase of the study an extensive economic evaluation of installing 10MW wind park using 4 Nordex N100/2500 wind turbines was performed on the RETScreen® international simulation software. For this purpose, four main scenarios have been taken into consideration. It was revealed that in the second scenario by assumption of the new proposed feed-in-tariff rate (4400 rials), the return period of investment was significantly reduced. It has been demonstrated that the government’s new policy for increasing the feed-in-tariff rate has been very effective for improving the financial viability of the proposed wind farm. In the final steps, effects of the clean development strategies have been taken into account.

Nowa metoda szacowania możliwości przyłączeniowych generacji wiatrowej w KSE z uwzględnieniem ograniczeń bilansowych

The aim of the paper is to present a new method for assessing connection potential of wind power generation to the National Power System (NPS) and an analysis of power balancing in NPS taking into account varying values of the installed power in wind farms. The authors have attempted to develop a criterion to make a basis to determine a boundary value of allowed installed power in wind farms and connected to NPS (A new method for estimating connection potential of wind power into National Power System with power balancing constraints).

Free Vibration Analysis of Al 2024 Wind Turbine Blade Designed for Uttarakhand Region based on FEA

Abstract The main objective of this research work is to introduce a new material for wind turbine blades. Al 2024 is selected for the suitability analysis. Finite element Method or Finite Element Analysis is a approximation techniques used for the analysis of complex objects and geometries. Wind power or wind energy is considered as a clean source of energy which produces no environmental harm during operation. The total wind power generation potential of India at a height of 50 m is 50000 MW. In recent years Indian Government has focused on this renewable source of energy. The main part of this research is to identify natural frequencies and natural vibration modes of the Al 2024 wind turbine blade. Wind Turbine blade design is a complex procedure. For the design of wind turbine blade Solid Edge software is used and the model is imported in ANSYS 14.0 for modal analysis. For the suitability analysis of Al 2024 we have done structural and Modal analysis. The results of the analysis are used to verify a structure's fitness for use. The analysis results were verified with experimental result available in literature.

Time-scale and extent at which large-scale circulation modes determine the wind and solar potential in the Iberian Peninsula

The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), the East Atlantic (EA) and the Scandinavian (SCAND) modes are the three main large-scale circulation patterns driving the climate variability of the Iberian Peninsula. This study assesses their influence in terms of solar (photovoltaic) and wind power generation potential (SP and WP) and evaluates their skill as predictors. For that we use a hindcast regional climate simulation to retrieve the primary meteorological variables involved, surface solar radiation and wind speed. First we identify that the maximum influence of the various modes occurs on the interannual variations of the monthly mean SP and WP series, being generally more relevant in winter. Second we find that in this time-scale and season, SP (WP) varies up to 30% (40%) with respect to the mean climatology between years with opposite phases of the modes, although the strength and the spatial distribution of the signals differ from one month to another. Last, the skill of a multi-linear regression model (MLRM), built using the NAO, EA and SCAND indices, to reconstruct the original wintertime monthly series of SP and WP was investigated. The reconstructed series (when the MLRM is calibrated for each month individually) correlate with the original ones up to 0.8 at the interannual time-scale. Besides, when the modeled series for each individual month are merged to construct an October-to-March monthly series, and after removing the annual cycle in order to account for monthly anomalies, these correlate 0.65 (0.55) with the original SP (WP) series in average. These values remain fairly stable when the calibration and reconstruction periods differ, thus supporting up to a point the predictive potential of the method at the time-scale assessed here.

Asymmetrical Low-Voltage Ride Through of Brushless Doubly Fed Induction Generators for the Wind Power Generation

Compared with the Doubly fed induction generators (DFIG), the brushless doubly fed induction generator (BDFIG) has a commercial potential for wind power generation due to its lower cost and higher reliability. In the most recent grid codes, wind generators are required to be capable of riding through low voltage faults. As a result of the negative sequence, induction generators response differently in asymmetrical voltage dips compared with the symmetrical dip. This paper gave a full behavior analysis of the BDFIG under different types of the asymmetrical fault and proposed a novel control strategy for the BDFIG to ride through asymmetrical low voltage dips without any extra hardware such as crowbars. The proposed control strategies are experimentally verified by a 250-kW BDFIG.

Optimizing Wind Power Generation while Minimizing Wildlife Impacts in an Urban Area

The location of a wind turbine is critical to its power output, which is strongly affected by the local wind field. Turbine operators typically seek locations with the best wind at the lowest level above ground since turbine height affects installation costs. In many urban applications, such as small-scale turbines owned by local communities or organizations, turbine placement is challenging because of limited available space and because the turbine often must be added without removing existing infrastructure, including buildings and trees. The need to minimize turbine hazard to wildlife compounds the challenge. We used an exclusion zone approach for turbine-placement optimization that incorporates spatially detailed maps of wind distribution and wildlife densities with power output predictions for the Ohio State University campus. We processed public GIS records and airborne lidar point-cloud data to develop a 3D map of all campus buildings and trees. High resolution large-eddy simulations and long-term wind climatology were combined to provide land-surface-affected 3D wind fields and the corresponding wind-power generation potential. This power prediction map was then combined with bird survey data. Our assessment predicts that exclusion of areas where bird numbers are highest will have modest effects on the availability of locations for power generation. The exclusion zone approach allows the incorporation of wildlife hazard in wind turbine siting and power output considerations in complex urban environments even when the quantitative interaction between wildlife behavior and turbine activity is unknown.

Evaluation of wind energy potential as a power generation source for electricity production in Binalood, Iran

In this paper, the hourly measured wind speed data for years 2007–2010 at 10 m, 30 m and 40 m height for Binalood region in Iran have been statically analyzed to determine the potential of wind power generation. The study showed that the long-term wind speeds were found to be relatively high. The numerical values of the dimensionless Weibull shape parameter (k) and Weibull scale parameters (c) were also determined. Based on these data, it was found that the numerical values of the shape and scale parameters for Binalood varied over a wide range. The yearly values of k at 40 m elevation range from 2.165 to 2.211 with a mean value of 2.186, while those of c are in the range of 7.683–8.016 with a mean value of 7.834. However, the yearly mean wind speed, mean power density and power density of Binalood at 40 m height are found as 5.923 m/s, 305.514 W/m2 and 2676.30 (kWh/m2/year) respectively. The results show that Binalood has available great wind energy potential for grid connection system.

Wind Energy Potential Assessment as Power Generation Source in Ubonratchathani Province, Thailand

In this paper, the hourly measured wind speed data for years 2008–2010 at 10 m, 30 m and 40 m height for Ubonratchathani province in kingdom of Thailand have been statically analyzed to determine the potential of wind power generation. Weibull distribution parameters have been estimated and compared annually and on monthly bases using two methods; the graphical method and the another method, designated in this paper as approximated method, which depends on the standard deviation and average wind speed. The average annual wind power density was found to be 19.13 W/m2 for 10 m height, 83.14 W/m2 for 30 m height and 91.45 W/m2 for 40 m height. Weibull probability function, using Weibull parameters estimated from the approximated method, has shown to provide more accurate prediction of average wind speed and average power density than the graphical method. In addition, the monthly and annual variations of capacity factors have been studied to ensure optimum selection of wind turbine generators.

Potential of Wind Speed for Wind Power Generation In Perlis, Northern Malaysia

This paper presents an analysis of the wind speed characteristics in Perlis, Northern Malaysia for the year of 2006. The characteristics consist of daily, monthly and annual mean wind speed. The Weibull distribution function is applied to analyze the wind speed characteristics and used to calculate the wind power generation potential. Potential of wind power generation is observed and analyzed during 24 hours (9 th March 2011). The analysis result of monthly mean wind power and energy density show that the early (January to march) and the end (December) of year have a high wind power and energy potential, but the middle of year they are very low, it is necessary to develop a special wind power generation capable of harnessing the little wind resource available in Perlis. Observation during 24 hours (9 th March 2011), for a 24 V wind power generation gives 10% of its total output voltage.

Forecasting the diffusion of wind power in Pakistan

About half of the Pakistan’s population has no access to electricity and per capita consumption is one of the lowest in the world. The country is facing severe energy crisis due to shortage of electricity and gas supply. About two-third of the total electricity is generated from fossil fuels. Pakistan heavily depends on imported energy due to limited indigenous reserves and production of oil. The production, transportation, transformation and consumption of fossil fuels also adversely affect the quality of the environment due to indiscriminate release of toxic substances. This shows that Pakistan must develop alternate, indigenous and environment friendly energy resources, like wind energy, to face these challenges. This paper presents the market penetration forecasts of wind power in Pakistan under different policy scenarios. The diffusion of wind power is forecasted using logistic model and analogous approach. The study concludes that about 42, 58 and 73% of the country’s total technical potential of wind power generation could be exploited by the year 2030 under SS, MS and OS scenarios respectively. The development and utilization of wind power would reduce the pressure on oil imports, protect the environment from pollution and improve the socio-economic conditions of the people of Pakistan.

Wied Rini II—A Five Year Wind Survey at Malta

This paper presents detailed results from a wind monitoring assessment on the Mediterranean island of Malta. The islands depend almost entirely on imported oil for their electrical power generation infrastructure. There is increasing interest in the potential offered by renewable resources and associated technologies to supplement the electricity generation infrastructure and to meet the country's renewable energy targets. A number of sites have been identified for possible wind generation project development; including one in an area known as Wied Rini, in the vicinity of the village of Bahrija on the main island of Malta. Wind measurements conducted by the Institute for Sustainable Energy of the University of Malta have, to date amassed a number of years' worth of wind data at this location. Wind characteristics, especially those from the topmost monitoring level, are of particular importance as they are taken at a height above the ground that has not been surpassed locally until quite recently. Salient parameters such as wind speeds at two designated levels above the ground, average power density, wind speed frequency of occurrence, wind direction and other information should be useful when quantifying the potential for wind power generation in this Mediterranean Island context. A comparison with concurrent NCEP/NCAR reanalysis datasets coming from two points in the vicinity of the Maltese archipelago is also presented as a means of substantiating some of the results.

Wind power analysis and site matching of wind turbine generators in Kingdom of Bahrain

In this paper, the hourly measured wind speed data for years 2003–2005 at 10 m, 30 m and 60 m height for Kingdom of Bahrain have been statically analyzed to determine the potential of wind power generation. Extrapolation of the 10 m data, using the Power Law, has been used to determine the wind data at heights of 30 m and 60 m. Weibull distribution parameters have been estimated and compared annually and on monthly bases using two methods; the graphical method and the another method, designated in this paper as approximated method, which depends on the standard deviation and average wind speed. The maximum power density for 10 m, 30 m and 60 m heights were found to be 164.33 W/m 2, 624.17 W/m 2 and 1171.18 W/m 2 in February, respectively while the minimum power density were 65.33 W/m 2, 244.33 W/m 2 and 454.53 W/m 2 in October, respectively. The average annual wind power density was found to be 114.54 W/m 2 for 10 m height, 433.29 W/m 2 for 30 m height and 816.70 W/m 2 for 60 m height. Weibull probability function, using Weibull parameters estimated from the approximated method, has shown to provide more accurate prediction of average wind speed and average power density than the graphical method. In addition, the site matching of wind turbine generators at 30 m and 60 m heights has been investigated by estimating the capacity factors of various commercially available wind turbines generators. The monthly and annual variation of capacity factors have been studied to ensure optimum selection of wind turbine generators.

Computer Aided Investigation towards the Wind Power Generation Potentials of Guangzhou

Wind power generation potential of Guangzhou has been analyzed based on the wind speed data collected in the recent 30 years. In order to make the results more accurate, the Weibull distribution function is introduced and the two parameters can be identified by CAD method together with local weather data available. By referring to the power characteristics of the wind turbines, the monthly and yearly operating probabilities and the output power under different heights are analyzed. Given by the above data and the power generation cost, it is proved that although the wind power resources in Guangzhou is not very ideal, it can also be utilized to generate power.

Climate change implications for wind power resources in the Northwest United States

Using statistically downscaled output from four general circulation models (GCMs), we have investigated scenarios of climate change impacts on wind power generation potential in a five-state region within the Northwest United States (Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming). All GCM simulations were extracted from the standardized set of runs created for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Analysis of model runs for the 20th century (20c3m) simulations revealed that the direct output of wind statistics from these models is of relatively poor quality compared with observations at airport weather stations within each state. When the GCM output was statistically downscaled, the resulting estimates of current climate wind statistics are substantially better. Furthermore, in looking at the GCM wind statistics for two IPCC future climate scenarios from the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES A1B and A2), there was significant disagreement in the direct model output from the four GCMs. When statistical downscaling was applied to the future climate simulations, a more coherent story unfolded related to the likely impact of climate change on the region's wind power resource. Specifically, the results suggest that summertime wind speeds in the Northwest may decrease by 5–10%, while wintertime wind speeds may decrease by relatively little, or possibly increase slightly. When these wind statistics are projected to typical turbine hub heights and nominal wind turbine power curves are applied, the impact of the climate change scenarios on wind power may be as high as a 40% reduction in summertime generation potential.

Validation of Wind Resource Assessment Model (WRAM) map of Sri Lanka, using measured data, and evaluation of wind power generation potential in the country

Validation of Wind Resource Assessment Model (WRAM) map of Sri Lanka, using measured data, and evaluation of wind power generation potential in the country

Wind energy applications in remote areas of Saudi Arabia

SYNOPSIS The potential of wind power generation near the remote areas of Saudi Arabia is investigated. Meteorological data from twenty weather stations for a period of ten years are analyzed to obtain wind pattern and characteristics. The annual average wind velocity distribution, and frequency of occurrence are significant in assessing the wind power potential of a certain site, especially as the power in the wind is related to the cube of the wind velocity. The analysis of the data revealed that the potential of wind power is promising. The possible sites for capturing the wind energy are the northern and coastal sites of Saudi Arabia. Small desalination units, irrigation pumps and electrical power generators could therefore be powered by wind energy in remote areas of Saudi Arabia.