ABEN110 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications Lim

Wind Energy Resource Assessment

Lim, Paulo Angelo T. 1

1
Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite

Abstract. Nevada has great solar potential, but little reliance on wind energy. This lab will test wind turbine applicability.
Wind often blows towards SE and SSE, accounting for 15.05% of occurrences per second. NW wind is infrequent in June.
Wind peaks at 16:00 H and settles at midnight. Wind frequently blows in SE direction at 5.38% and 2.85 m/s. In
September, the generated power was 473.5974 W with a velocity of 1.17 m/s. However, the average wind speed for the
month did not meet the 3 m/s requirement for NPS 100 C turbines.
Keywords: Wind energy, WRPLOT View, Northern Power NPS, Wind turbine, Windrose

equation presented, followed by determining the

1 Introduction distribution of the wind using the Weibull function
The evaluation of wind potential involves a series of equation (2). Utilizing the values generated from Weibull
steps which represent restrictions on the exploitation of and Northern Power, the YEY (3) equation was used on
the potential. The first step is to determine or estimate the succeeding presentation to determine the periodic
the theoretical potential, which is defined as the energy production.
maximum wind energy output in a region.
It is determined by using a reference wind turbine, Power(theoretical) Equation
1 3
available wind speed data and the available sites in the 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟(𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙) = 2
ρ𝐴𝑉 (Eq. 1)
region. This laboratory exercise aims to apply basic
physical principles of wind on actual measurement data Where:
to gain basic skills in resource assessment of available ρ = density of the air in kg/m3
wind energy for a specific site. A = cross-sectional area of the wind in m2
V = velocity of the wind in m/s
2 Materials and Methodology
Weibull equation
Utilization of the WRPLOT VIEW VERSION 8.0.2, the
π𝑣 −π 𝑣 2
frequency distribution and the windrose diagram of June 𝑓(𝑣) = 𝑒𝑥𝑝( )( 𝑣 ) (Eq. 2)
2(𝑣𝑚) 4
and September wind data was obtained and the diurnal 𝑚

variation of average wind speed. Further, information Where:

and details generated from the WRPLOT was plotted v = given velocity, m/s
and presented in the form of a chart. vm = mean velocity, m/s
f(v) = Weibull function
Moreover, referring to the Northern Power NPS
100 C and the available wind speed data, theoretical Periodic energy production
potential (1) was estimated, and computed using the
 ABEN 110 - Renewable Energy for AB Applications
𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚) = 𝑓(𝑣) * ρ(𝑣) * 8760 ℎ𝑟𝑠 (Eq. 3)
Where:
f(v) = wind speed distribution
p(v) = power derived from the power curve, kW
YEY = yearly energy yield, kWh
3 Results and Discussion
3.1 Windrose and Wind Class Frequency
There is an abundance of sustainable power sources in
Nevada. However, the majority of Nevada lies within the
Great Basin, which is a dry region that lacks any access
to the ocean. The desert floor is dotted with mountain
ranges amidst which lie the distinguished buttes and
flat-topped mesas.
According to the EIA report from 2023, Nevada
boasts the highest solar power potential in the country
due to its sun-drenched desert, and significant solar
energy advancements have been made in the state.
Nevada's juniper and pinyon pine forests mostly reside
on the mountain slopes while the mountain ridges offer
the greatest potential for wind power.
However, the state's reliance on wind energy is
minimal. This report examines the outcomes from two
wind data taken in June and September at Desert Rock
station located in Nevada, which has a coordinated
Longitude (W) 116.02 and Latitude (N) 36.62, and is
categorized as a region with barren or sparse land
(ESSD, 2021).
Further, it is reported that In 2012, Nevada
inaugurated its initial large-scale commercial wind farm
for electrical power generation. The sole wind project
with utility-scale capacity currently in operation within
the state generates 150 megawatts of power. As of
February 2023, there were no upcoming large-scale wind
energy initiatives in progress.
On the other hand, the months of June and
September were plotted to WRPLOT VIEW, generating
the wind rose and distribution frequency, where figure 2
shows that during the specified time, the southeast winds
were predominant at the Desert Rock station, as
evidenced by this rose.
To put it simply, the wind often blows towards the
southeast (SE and SSE), accounting for approximately
15.05% of all wind direction occurrences per second.
This also indicates that the northwest wind is infrequent.
It is worth highlighting that the wind coming from the
southeast occurs for about 1.5% of the time with velocity
ranging from 3.6 to 5.7 meters per second.
It is highlighted in figure 7 that about 66.7% of
the Southeast wind direction has the average 1.3 m/s
speed of wind.
Furthermore, on the data given (fig. 4) in the
month of June, it is notable that on the average, wind
peaks its speed during 16:00 H in the afternoon until
evening and settles down at midnight. This is due to the
relation in warming of air. During the day the heat from
the ground accumulates and air becomes heavy and finds
a release point (building, trees, and other medium) in
current, and later in the afternoon, when sun is low it
 ABEN 110 - Renewable Energy for AB Applications
will start to cool, Clayton, (2022) & Finagin, (2020) .
On the other hand, in the month of September at
Desert Rock Station, wind was predominantly blowing
frequently in the southeast direction with an
approximately 5.38% frequency and 2.85 m/s speed of
wind, which was higher than in the Northeast direction
with only 4.44 % of frequency with speed of about 3.78
m/s.
However, calm wind blows towards east with 4%
frequency with its 1 m/s speed. Also, it is notable that in
Southwest about 3.43% a 4.65 m/s speed is frequent
during that year, figure 5.
Also, June and September are almost similar in
terms of the frequency with 1.075 m/ s speed of 67.4%
frequency of wind occurring in the month of September,
which is higher than the past month, figure 6.
During the month of September, the plotted data
from 2010 of Desert Rock station, its wind speed peaks at
13:00 H and 17:00 H in the afternoon. Figure 6 illustrates
the average hourly wind speed during the day that was
acquired. During the night, the winds seem to be steady
due to the minor fluctuations observed each hour,
indicating the presence of a tranquil atmosphere. The
initially stable boundary layer gradually transforms into a
turbulent one with mixed wind speeds, as seen from the
significant rise in hourly wind variations at 0700 local
time persisting throughout the day. It should be observed
that the potential temperature fluctuations on an hourly
basis reveal a swift surge in the temperature close to the
surface with the ascending of the sun.
According to the findings of Lucas et al. (2021),
there is a noticeable alteration in wind patterns along
coastal zones, particularly on the western side or the
protected region of the primary wind stream in the
Philippines. Throughout daytime, the winds blow to land
from the ocean, but as nighttime approaches, the winds
shift to blow seaward from the land. The fluctuating wind
speeds and directions in coastal areas indicate the
possibility of meteorological processes that can affect the
variability of wind speeds across the Philippine
archipelago.
On the other hand, this (fig. 7) data is from Desert
Rock station at Nevada, wind speed seems to vary with
relation to the potential effect of topography and
vegetation. However, desert is known to have lesser
vegetation and lower mediums to block which makes the
wind speed stronger.
3.2 Maximum Wind Energy Output
Using the Theoretical potential formula (Eq. 1), the
maximum wind energy power that can be generated from
the given data of June and September were estimated,
utilizing the North Power NPS as turbine reference.
Prior on estimating the maximum wind energy
 ABEN 110 - Renewable Energy for AB Applications
output, determination of wind speed distribution, f(v)
through the Weibull function, the f(v) for June and
September was determined.
On the appendices, it presents the computation for
the Wind Speed distribution, Periodic energy production
and the theoretical power for month of June, where the
formulas where provided and mentioned from the previous
section.
It is notable that the resulting value of periodic
energy production in the month of June is much less in a
higher value of power curve from Northern Power. And
the results indicated that average wind speed from the
month of June has an estimated electrical power output
ranging from 41,000 kWh to 0.00024 kWh resulting from
the varying velocity of the wind.
On the other hand, theoretical power output for
the month of June ranges in 635.0263186 Watt of energy
from the average month wind speed. According to the
Northern Power NPS 100C Datasheet, the rotor diameter
is 24.4 m which leads to the theoretical output value,
together with the average wind speed per hour with 2.1
m/s, which is higher than the month of September with
only 1.9 m/s.
only requires 8 kph (2 m/s) to operate and rotate.
4 Conclusion and Recommendation
In conclusion, Desert Rock station from Nevada has
approximately 2.1 m/s wind speed generated from the
whole month of June and 1.9 m/s from the month of
September. Together with this it has the potential to
generate a power of 473-635 kWh. Unfortunately, in
regards with the average wind speed accumulated in the
whole month, it did not meet the demand for the
reference turbines which needed to have at least 3 m/s of
wind speed.
In addition, iit is notable that wind speed varies
depending on its topography, vegetation and
temperature, where when it makes contact with a warm
surface it becomes heavy and looks for a release point.
Also, higher values of wind speed commonly occur
every afternoon where the sky and atmosphere is getting
cooler.
On the other hand, the generated average wind
speed from the month of June and September is a
preview of potential use of small-scaled wind turbine to
be utilized for the generation of 2m/ s wind speed.

Furthermore, the theoretical power generated in

the month of September brought by the velocity with
approximate 1.17 m/s, resulted in 473.5974 W.

3.3 Site suitability

The state of Nevada is known to have more solar power

potential due to its sun-drenched desert than the wind
power energy generation, even though it is a remote area
and more arid.

However, according to the findings from the given

data from the month of June and September, Desert Rock
station or SURFRAD (SOLRAD Level-2) have only the
1.9 m/s to 2.1 m/s wind speed average, which is not
suitable and considerable range to operate a single turbine,
especially a Northern Power NPS.

It is also notable that in figure 3 and figure 6,

presents the frequency percentage of the wind class, which
the wind speeds from the different month in the same
location frequently ranges only from 0.5 - 2.10 m/s.

3.4 Adaptability of Reference Turbine

NPS Northern Power NPS 100C is not suitable reference

turbine for the SURFRAD (SOLRAD) station as the
specifications of this model shows that to operate and
work the turbine, the wind speed must be at least 3 m/s
with a cut-out wind speed of 25 m/s. And the calculated
data from June and September did not meet, especially the
design of the turbine is for large scale operations.

However, there are small wind turbines which

 ABEN 110 - Renewable Energy for AB Applications

References
essd-2021-326-AR1, (n.d.). Responses to RC1. Retrieved
from
https://essd.copernicus.org/preprints/essd-2021-326
/essd-2021-326-AR1.pdf

EIA, (2023). Profile Analysis. State Profile and Energy

Estimates. Analysis. Retrieved from
https://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.php?sid=NV

Research JISAO, (n.d.). 262251 - DESERT ROCK,

Nevada. Retrieved from
http://research.jisao.washington.edu/greg/southwest
/states/NV/262251.html

Clayton, A., (2022). Why are wind speeds higher in the

afternoon?. WKBN. YoungsTown Weather.
Retreived from
https://www.wkbn.com/weather/why-are-wind-spee
ds-higher-in-the-afternoon/

Finigan, J. (2020). Why are wind speeds higher in the

afternoon?. Quora. Retrieved from
https://www.quora.com/Why-is-it-windier-in-the-af
ternoon-and-night-than-in-the-morning

Lucas KRE, et al., (2021). Hourly Variation of Wind

Speeds in the Philippines and Its Potential Impact
on the Stability of the Power System. Energies.
2021; 14(8):2310.
https://doi.org/10.3390/en14082310. Retrieved
from https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/8/2310

GML, (2023). SURFRAD Network: Desert Rock, NV.

Retrieved from
https://gml.noaa.gov/grad/surfrad/desrock.html

Level (2022). Wind turbine systems. Energy. Retrieved

from
https://www.level.org.nz/energy/renewable-electrici
ty-generation/wind-turbine-systems/#:~:text=In%20
general%2C%20wind%20speeds%20are,s)%20pro
duces%20maximum%20generation%20power.

Wind Turbines, (2023). NPS Northern Power NPS

100C-21. Retrieved from
https://en.wind-turbine-models.com/turbines/1269-
nps-northern-power-nps-100c-21
 ABEN 110 - Renewable Energy for AB Applications

Appendix: Sample calculations ρ(𝑣)6 = 25

ρ(𝑣)7 = 38
Wind Speed distribution for June ρ(𝑣)8 = 59
ρ(𝑣)9 = 75
Given: ρ(𝑣)10 = 85
v = 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 m/s
vm = 1.299523148 m/s Solution
Solution: 𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚) = 𝑓(𝑣) * ρ(𝑣) * 8760 ℎ𝑟𝑠
π𝑣 −π 𝑣 2
𝑓(𝑣) = 2(𝑣𝑚)
𝑒𝑥𝑝( 4
)( 𝑣 ) 𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚) = 0. 7592012025 * 0 * 8760 ℎ𝑟𝑠
𝑚

π(1) −π 1 2
𝑓(𝑣) = 2(1.299523148)
𝑒𝑥𝑝( 4
)( 1.299523148 ) 𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚)1 = 0

𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚)2 = 0
𝑓(𝑣)1 = 0. 7592012025
𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚)3 = 41861.7813
𝑓(𝑣)2 = 0. 3762270119

𝑓(𝑣)3 = 0. 05516281022 𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚)4 = 4151.504908

𝑓(𝑣)4 = 0. 002836170465 𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚)5 = 57.94896899

𝑓(𝑣)5 = 0. 00005393014824 𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚)6 = 0.2210773914

𝑓(𝑣)6 = 0. 000000388368673 𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚)7 = 0.0002395207158

𝑓(𝑣)7 = 0. 000000001072665647 𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚)8 = 0.00000008316710117

𝑓(𝑣)8 = 0 𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚)9 = 0

𝑓(𝑣)9 = 0 𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚)10 = 0

𝑓(𝑣)10 = 0
Theoretical power for June
Periodic energy production for June Given :
Given:
𝑘𝑔
𝑓(𝑣)1 = 0. 7592012025 ρ = 1. 25 3
𝑚
𝑓(𝑣)2 = 0. 3762270119 A = 24.4 m
𝑓(𝑣)3 = 0. 05516281022 V = 1.299523148 m/s

𝑓(𝑣)4 = 0. 002836170465 Solution :

𝑓(𝑣)5 = 0. 00005393014824
𝑚 3
2
1 𝑘𝑔 π(24.4)
𝑓(𝑣)6 = 0. 000000388368673 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟(𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙) = 2
( 1. 25 3 )( 4
)(1. 17459078 𝑠
)
𝑚
𝑓(𝑣)7 = 0. 000000001072665647
𝑓(𝑣)8 = 0 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟(𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙) = 473. 5974048 𝑊
𝑓(𝑣)9 = 0
Wind Speed distribution for September
𝑓(𝑣)10 = 0
Given:
ρ(𝑣)1 = 0
v = 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 m/s
ρ(𝑣)2 = 0 vm = 1.17459078 m/s
ρ(𝑣)3 = 2
ρ(𝑣)4 = 8 Solution:
ρ(𝑣)5 = 15
 ABEN 110 - Renewable Energy for AB Applications

𝑓(𝑣) =
π𝑣
𝑒𝑥𝑝(
−π 𝑣
)( 𝑣 )
2 ρ(𝑣)8 = 59
2(𝑣𝑚) 4 𝑚 ρ(𝑣)9 = 75
π(1) −π 1 2 ρ(𝑣)10 = 85
𝑓(𝑣) = 2(1.17459078)
𝑒𝑥𝑝( 4
)( 1.17459078 )
Solution

𝑓(𝑣)1 = 0. 7568387328 𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚) = 𝑓(𝑣) * ρ(𝑣) * 8760 ℎ𝑟𝑠

𝑓(𝑣)2 = 0. 2743740095 𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚) = 0. 7568387328 * 0 * 8760 ℎ𝑟𝑠

𝑓(𝑣)3 = 0. 02389371079 𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚)1 = 0

𝑓(𝑣)4 = 0. 0005923951067
𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚)2 = 0
𝑓(𝑣)5 = 0. 000004410119406
𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚)3 = 41861.7813
𝑓(𝑣)6 = 0. 00000001009485806
𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚)4 = 4151.504908
𝑓(𝑣)7 = 0
𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚)5 = 57.94896899
𝑓(𝑣)8 = 0
𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚)6 = 0.2210773914
𝑓(𝑣)9 = 0
𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚)7 = 0.0002395207158
𝑓(𝑣)10 = 0
𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚)8 = 0.00000008316710117
Periodic energy production for June
Given: 𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚)9 = 0

𝑓(𝑣)1 = 0. 7568387328 𝑌𝐸𝑌 (𝑉𝑚)10 = 0

𝑓(𝑣)2 = 0. 2743740095 Theoretical power for September

𝑓(𝑣)3 = 0. 02389371079 Given :

𝑓(𝑣)4 = 0. 0005923951067 𝑘𝑔
ρ = 1. 25 3
𝑚
𝑓(𝑣)5 = 0. 000004410119406 A = 24.4 m
V = 1.17459078 m/s
𝑓(𝑣)6 = 0. 00000001009485806
Solution :
𝑓(𝑣)7 = 0
𝑚 3
2
1 𝑘𝑔 π(24.4)
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟(𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙) = 2
( 1. 25 3 )( 4
)(1. 17459078 𝑠
)
𝑓(𝑣)8 = 0 𝑚

𝑓(𝑣)9 = 0 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟(𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙) = 473. 5974048 𝑊

𝑓(𝑣)10 = 0

ρ(𝑣)1 = 0
ρ(𝑣)2 = 0
ρ(𝑣)3 = 2
ρ(𝑣)4 = 8
ρ(𝑣)5 = 15
ρ(𝑣)6 = 25
ρ(𝑣)7 = 38