A statistical analysis of wind speed data in west central part of Karnataka based on Weibull distribution function

Application of renewable energy sources in electric power systems is growing rapidly due to enhanced public concern for adverse environmental impacts and escalation in energy costs and shortage of fossil fuels associated with the use of conventional energy sources throughout the world. Environmental concerns and fuel cost uncertainties associated with the use these energy sources have resulted in rapid growth of wind energy applications in power generating systems. The wind turbine generators are the alternatives for electric power generating systems due to their non exhausted nature and benign environmental effects. Therefore, in this study, wind data collected over a period of one year at three different commercial wind farms were analyzed in order to figure out the wind energy potential along the west central part of Karnataka, India. The wind data from selected stations have been collected and analyzed using two-parameter Weibull distribution. From the simulation result it can be concluded that out of three wind farms, EP-02 (road 2) is the one of the best site for optimal energy production. This paper presents few significant conclusions related assessment of wind power potential. The Weibull distribution model will be useful to the wind energy conversion system and utilities in making a judicious choice of a wind site with optimally matched wind turbines.