Methods for Assessing the Spatial Variation of Offshore Wind Resource:The Role of Mesoscale Modelling and Earth Observation data
The future success of the offshore wind industry relies in part on favourable conditions for financing of projects. To bring these conditions about, the industry must develop a good level of understanding of all technical risks affecting the energy production of offshore wind projects. One of the most significant of these risks is that associated with the long-term wind resource prediction for a site, which is contingent on the accuracy of the measurements and models utilised in the analysis. Uncertainties associated with the spatial variation of wind resource can be mitigated to a large extent through the gathering of wind data from a high quality on-site meteorological mast. However, this approach can be perceived as unattractive to developers because of the high costs of such an installation-especially for projects which are yet to receive the necessary planning consents. Where no on-site measurements exist, it is usual for analysts to base wind resource assessment work on remote measurements, for example those gathered at a meteorological mast on another project site in the region. Clearly, in this situation the analyst must assess the spatial difference in wind resource between the initiation mast and the target project site. This paper presents an investigation into two methods that can be used to make such an assessment; Mesoscale modelling and Earth Observation data. Both of these techniques have been applied to a study region encompassing the German Exclusive Economic Zone in the North Sea. Results from the MC2 Mesoscale model and an innovative application of scatterometer observations from satellites ERS-1 and ERS-2 have been compared with the intention of assessing these techniques. On the basis of these findings, industry recommendations have been developed for the most appropriate role in which such methodologies can be employed, with the intent of minimising the prediction uncertainty inherent in offshore wind projects.
offshore wind farms wind resource spatial variability mesoscale modelling earth observation data uncertainty and risks
J.L.Phillips D.P.Bacon M.R.F.Taylor E.Stavroulia C.A.Morgan
St Vincents Works,Silverthorne Lane Bristol BS2 0QD United Kingdom Garrad Hassan and Partners,Brist St Vincents Works,Silverthorne LaneBristolBS2 0QDUnited KingdomGarrad Hassan and Partners,Bristol,U
国际会议
北京
英文
2008-10-29（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）