Site matching of wind turbine generators: a case study

Site matching of wind turbine generators is investigated based on the appropriate selection of statistical models and means of wind speed data. The wind speed means are computed using arithmetic mean, root mean square and cubic mean cuberoot. Wind speed frequency distributions are modelled using Weibull and Rayleigh probability density functions. Wind speed data of an existing wind power station, located at Kappadagudda, Karnataka, India, is used for computational purposes. The analytically obtained capacity factors are validated by comparing with the actual capacity factors obtained at Kappadagudda. It is observed that the capacity factors computed from the Weibull statistical model using cubic mean of wind speed data fairly match the actual capacity factors obtained from Kappadagudda wind power station. Various commercially available wind turbine generators are used for site matching studies. The model described in the paper is useful for planning of wind power stations as it can be applied for the accurate assessment of wind power potential at a site.