Assessment of Wind Energy Potential in Thailand
Based on Using the Multiple-Weibull Distribution
Type Of :
Academic Manuscript
Type :
Machanical Engineering
Wind energy potential analysis is a design key to maximize wind turbine efficiency and annual energy
output. Typically, the annual wind speed frequency is represented by a Single-Weibull distribution curve in spite of
strong and calm wind patterns could occur through a year in many regions in the world, Thailand for instance. For
this reason, wind energy potential should be analyzed by Multiple-Weibull distribution curves which are the
representative of the meteorological seasons due to the monsoon’s effect. Therefore the objective of this study is to
compare the accuracy of the Single-Weibull distribution and the Multiple-Weibull distribution in assessment of
wind energy potential. The comparison was made between these two statistical distribution functions and the actual
wind speed distribution (measured wind speed frequency) in order to determine the level of credibility of these two
distribution functions. The wind speed data employed in this study was measured at Lamtakhong dam site in
Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand. As the results, the error between the Single-Weibull distribution was
16.46% where the error between the Multiple-Weibull distribution was 14.82%, it was revealed that the smaller
error, the higher reliability. Two of the most widely used wind turbines (Enercon E-30 and Windspot) were
selected to verify the Multiple-Weibull concept. Approximately 40% increase in annual energy yield by using this
method. So, the results confirmed that the Multiple-Weibull distribution is valid for the assessment of the annual
energy production of wind turbines. Therefore, this will be a practical method for achieving the optimal design of
stall-regulated wind turbine in the further work.
Date22/12/2019
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