24-01-2013, 12:02 PM
Wind Resource Assessment Handbook
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INTRODUCTION
This handbook presents industry-accepted guidelines for planning and conducting a wind
resource measurement program to support a wind energy feasibility initiative. These guidelines, which
are detailed and highly technical, emphasize the tasks of selecting, installing, and operating wind
measurement equipment, as well as collecting and analyzing the associated data, once one or more
measurement sites are located. The handbook’s scope encompasses state-of-the-art measurement and
analysis techniques at multiple heights on tall towers (e.g., 50 m) for a measurement duration of at least
one year. These guidelines do not represent every possible method of conducting a quality wind
measurement program, but they address the most important elements based on field-proven experience.
The intended audience for this handbook is any organization or individual who desires the
planning framework and detailed procedures for conducting a formally structured wind measurement
program. Personnel from the management level to field technicians will find this material applicable. The
organizational aspects of a measurement program, including the setting of clear program objectives and
designing commensurate measurement and quality assurance plans, all of which are essential to ensuring
the program’s successful outcome, are emphasized. Considerable attention is also given to the details of
actually conducting the measurement program in its many aspects, from selecting instrumentation that
meets minimum performance standards to analyzing and reporting on the collected data.
The predecessor of and motivation for this handbook was a similar document—the U*WRAP
Handbook—developed in 1995 for the Utility Wind Resource Assessment Program (U*WRAP).
This program was initiated by the U.S. Department of Energy and is administered by the Utility Wind
Interest Group, Inc., to technically and financially support utilities that conduct wind resource
assessments. The goal of U*WRAP is to increase the quality and quantity of wind data available to
utilities, thereby improving their ability to evaluate and integrate wind energy as an electric generation
technology. By establishing standard measurement procedures, this program is compiling high-quality
data sets, which enable utility participants to evaluate resource-related wind energy feasibility issues
among a large number of dispersed sites. With the present handbook, the non-utility entity can achieve
similar benefits.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
OF A WIND RESOURCE
ASSESSMENT PROGRAM
A wind resource assessment program is similar to other technical projects. It requires planning
and coordination and is constrained by budget and schedule limitations. It demands a clear set of
objectives so the best assessment approach is selected. Its ultimate success rests on the quality of the
program's assembled assets—sound siting and measurement techniques, trained staff, quality equipment,
and thorough data analysis techniques.
APPROACHES AND OBJECTIVES
Several approaches are available when investigating the wind resource within a given land area.
The preferred approach will depend on your wind energy program objectives and on previous experience
with wind resource assessment. These approaches can be categorized as three basic scales or stages of
wind resource assessment: preliminary area identification, area wind resource evaluation, and
micrositing.
Preliminary Area Identification
This process screens a relatively large region (e.g., state or utility service territory) for suitable
wind resource areas based on information such as airport wind data, topography, flagged trees, and other
indicators. At this stage new wind measurement sites can be selected. Details on site screening
techniques are provided in Chapter 3.
Area Wind Resource Evaluation
This stage applies to wind measurement programs to characterize the wind resource in a defined
area or set of areas where wind power development is being considered. The most common objectives of
this scale of wind measurement are to:
• Determine or verify whether sufficient wind resources exist within the area to justify
further site-specific investigations
• Compare areas to distinguish relative development potential
• Obtain representative data for estimating the performance and/or the economic viability
of selected wind turbines
• Screen for potential wind turbine installation sites.