Basic Requirements of Locating Wind Power Plant
Q. What are the basic requirements of locating wind power plant ?
Q. Basic Requirements of Locating Wind Power Plant
Q. A few guidelines for selecting wind energy sites
Q. How to Select a Location for a Wind Farm
Following are the basic requirements of locating wind power plant :
- High annual average wind speed : The most essential requirement to successful use of wind power plant is an adequate supply of wind.
- Availability of anemometry data : The main object is to measure the wind speed which basically determines the WECS output power, but there are many practical difficulties with the instrumentation and measurement methods. The anemometer height above the ground, accuracy, linearity, location on the support tower, shadowing an Inaccurate readings there from, icing inertia of rotor whether it measures the horizontal velocity compound or vertical and temperature effects are a few of the difficulties encountered. The anemometry data should be available over some time period at the precise spot.
- Availability of wind V (t) curve at proposed site : This curve determines the maximum energy in the wind, hence it is the main factor. Initially controlling and predicting the electrical output and hence revenue returns of the WECS machine. It is desirable to have measured V (t) curve over about a 5 years period for the highest confidence level in the reliability estimate.
- Wind structure at the proposed site : The ideal case for the WECS would be a site such that the V (t) curve for it is flat i.e. a smooth steady wind will blow all the time. But a typical site is always less than ideal. Wind specially near the ground is turbulent and gusty, and it changes rapidly in direction and velocity. This departure from homogeneous flow is collectively referred to as ‘the structure of wind’.
- Altitude of the proposed site : The winds tend to have higher velocities at higher altitudes. The altitude has a effect on air density and ultimately it affects on the power in the wind, and hence the useful WECS power output is affected.
- Terrain and its aerodynamic : One should know about terrain of the site to be chosen. If the WECS is to be placed near the top but not on the top of a not too blunt hill facing the prevailing wind, then it may be possible to obtain a ‘speed up’ of the wind velocity over what it would otherwise be. It may be possible to make use of hills or mountains which channel the prevailing winds into a pass region, thereby obtaining higher wind power.
- Local ecology : If the surface is bare rock it may mean lower hub heights, hence lower structure cost. If trees or grasses are present, all of which tend to the structure the wind, then higher hub-heights will be needed resulting in larger system costs than the bare ground.
- Distance to roads or railways : This is another factor to be taken into account, for the heavy machinery, structures, materials, blades and other apparatus will have to be moved into any chosen WECS site.
- Nearness of site to local users : If the site is near to load centre, length of transmission lines will be reduced, hence losses and cost will also reduce.
- Nature of ground : The ground of the selected site should be such that the foundations for a WECS are secured. Ground surface should be stable, erosion problem should not be there.
- Reasonable land cost : Land cost should be favourable as this along with other sitting costs, enters into the total WECS system cost.
- Other problems such as long problem, salt spray or blowing dust, should not be present at the site, as they may affect aeroturbine blades, or environment is generally adverse to machinery and electrical apparatus.
The best sites for wind energy are found offshore and the sea coast. An average value on the coast is 2400 kWH/m² year.
The second best site for wind energy is in mountains. A typical value is 1600 kWH / m² per year.
The lowest level of wind energy is found in plains. A typical average is 750 kWH / m² per year.