Analysis of Wind Energy Conversion System based on Markov state model

This paper presents a model for the determination of the Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) availability taking into consideration the dependence of WECS failure rate on wind speed. The proposed model takes into account the randomness of wind speed as a stochastic Markov process presented by a transition matrix. The elements of this matrix are the transition rates between wind speed classes. Such a representation enables the building of a state diagram in which the dependence of failure rate on wind speed can be incorporated. Applications of the model to determining the WECS availability as well as the storage capacity required for maintaining a desired firm capacity level are illustrated using one year of hourly wind speed data records.