Accurately assess wind resources, energy yield and site suitability.
Accurately assess wind resources, energy yield and site suitability.
Wind resource analysis is the process of assessing the potential of wind energy at a specific location. It involves collecting data on wind speed, direction, and turbulence and using that data to predict the amount of electricity that a wind turbine could generate at that site. Wind resource analysis typically includes a combination of on-site measurements, remote sensing, and computer modelling.
Wind resource analysis and energy assessments are crucial to determine the yield capabilities for a wind energy project and identifying the best location and type of turbine for maximum energy production. The available potential is based on meteorological parameters, while the yield is determined from technical parameters such as the WTG type and wind farm design.
Wind turbine type, rotor diameter, hub height, local wind speeds, and wind direction and wind shear will all impact the success of a project. It is essential to determine where wind resources exist, understand their characteristics, and validate their quality. A lack of risk assessment for these crucial parameters may hinder smooth operation and result in low energy production.
Wind resource analysis plays an important role in wind energy projects' planning and permitting process. Accurate wind resource analysis helps to ensure that projects are sited in areas with the strongest and most consistent wind resources, which can lead to increased energy production and reduced costs.
Wind resource analysis aids in the design, construction, and operation of wind energy systems by providing information on the local wind conditions and turbine performance, which is important for optimising the energy output and minimising downtime.
Additionally, wind resource assessments provide important data on wind patterns, which can be used to identify potential issues such as wind shear and turbulence and develop mitigation strategies.
Having undertaken hundreds of successful wind measurements worldwide, our global team of experts provides a detailed understanding of the variations in wind energy to facilitate decision-making, whether at site identification, through a formal financial close or late in the lifetime of an operational project.
Our wind energy analysis experts carry out site assessment, assess wind turbine suitability and help to optimise wind farm layout to ensure optimum utilisation of wind resources.
TÜV SÜD provides professional preparation, installation, maintenance, supervision and dismantling of your wind measurement system. Our experts support you with qualified monitoring of wind measurement using systems that include met masts up to 140 m, LIDAR remote sensing devices and regular data retrieval via GSM.
We prepare monthly interim reports and a bankable wind measurement report, presented clearly in tabular and graphic form. Our solution also enables rapid and smooth data sharing with third parties.
Our wind resource analysis experts perform on-site inspection and record input data with high-precision instruments including laser measurement and GPS. We assess site conditions using topographical maps, satellite data, comparative calculations with existing wind farms in the vicinity, long-term meteorological measurements, data collected at ground stations worldwide and geostrophic wind data to ensure reliability and minimise uncertainty.
Our experience covers modelling with WAsP, WindPro, CFD calculations with WindSim and OpenFoam as well as high-resolution wind mapping. We are up to date on current standards (BWE, IEC, IEA, Measnet, FGW, etc.) and directives. Our clients receive wind resource analysis results in tabular and graphic form, including graphic illustrations of transgression probabilities.
We also provide site wind climate analysis, advanced wind park layout design, complete wind resource assessment of site wind regime for manufacturer’s structural integrity analysis, and optimised wind farm layout with respect to energy yield, site suitability, noise, shadow, and infrastructure parameters.
TÜV SÜD offers detailed energy yield analysis and energy loss estimation services. We can determine detailed wind farm production losses such as wind farm wakes, electrical losses, availability factors, icing losses or site conditions.
We calculate turbulence intensity for any given layout, determine the wind zone as per DIBt and IEC (IEC 61400-1 ed. 2 and 3), identify the site-specific mean wind speed and Weibull Distribution and calculate extreme wind speeds (1-year and 50-year mean of both extreme wind speeds and wind gusts).
Our analysis of the results considers site-specific turbulence and extreme wind measurements, the worldwide data pool collated at ground stations and the theoretical estimate of turbulence and extreme wind based on meteorological data in the vicinity. We determine wind shear, inflow angle and air density for a full compliance assessment.
TÜV SÜD also offers an independent statement of compliance in cooperation with WTG manufacturers to ensure site suitability.
TÜV SÜD provides wind energy resource analysis with services such as wind resource measurement and data collection, data analysis and modelling, site assessment and selection, and wind farm design and layout optimisation. We also offer consulting services for project development, permitting, and regulatory compliance. We have a team of experienced engineers, meteorologists, and other experts with specialised knowledge in wind energy.
Wind resource analysis evaluates the potential of a specific location to produce electricity using wind power. The goal of a wind resource analysis is to determine the wind characteristics such as wind speed, wind direction, and turbulence at a particular site and to use this information to estimate the amount of electricity that wind turbines can generate at that location.
There are several basic techniques used in wind resource analysis, including:
• Meteorological towers are tall structures with instruments at various heights that measure wind speed, direction, and other meteorological data.
• LIDAR: Light Detection and Ranging is a remote sensing technology that uses a laser to measure wind speed and direction
• SODAR: Sound Detection and Ranging is similar to LIDAR but uses ultrasonic sound waves to measure wind speed and direction
• Remote sensing: This includes satellite and aerial imagery, which can be used to identify potential wind farm sites and assess the suitability of a location for wind energy development.
• Data analysis and modelling: After the data is collected, it is analysed and modelled to estimate a site's long-term wind resource potential. This includes using tools like Weibull analysis, Power Curve analysis and wind flow modelling.
All these wind resource analysis techniques are used together to create a comprehensive understanding of the wind resource potential at a particular site, which can be used to inform decisions about wind farm development and design.
Wind resource analysis and assessment are essential for several reasons:
• Feasibility: It helps to determine the feasibility of a wind energy project by identifying the wind resource potential of a specific location and how much electricity can be generated by wind turbines. This information is used to determine the economic viability of wind farm development.
• Site selection: Wind resource analysis is crucial in identifying the best location to construct a wind farm. The wind resource assessment will help to determine the optimal location for the wind farm, with the highest wind resource potential and the least amount of obstacles to wind flow.
• Design Optimization: Wind resource analysis can be used to optimize the design of a wind farm by determining the best turbine size and layout for a specific location. This can help increase the wind farm's overall efficiency and productivity.
• Permitting: Wind resource analysis is a key component of the permitting process for wind farm development. The assessment helps to demonstrate that the proposed project is viable and that it will not have a significant impact on the environment or local communities.
• Compliance: Wind resource analysis is often used to demonstrate compliance with government regulations and industry standards.
Overall, wind resource analysis and assessment are critical for making informed decisions about wind energy development, ensuring the project's feasibility, design optimization and compliance.
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