An assessment of the sea breeze energy potential using small wind turbines in peri-urban coastal areas

Abstract

From wind speed data recorded hourly at 2 m high during 18 years (1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010) in the Llobregat Delta (15 km south of Barcelona city; northeast of the Iberian Peninsula), wind speed distributions at 10 m high were computed for the whole year and for the sea breeze period (from March 1 to September 30, from 10 to 19 local time). Weibull probability density functions fitted to the distributions were used to assess the wind energy generated by two offgrid small wind turbines: the IT-PE-100 and the HP-600W. Results from FAST and AeroDyn simulation tools were compared with those obtained by applying measured wind speeds to manufacturer power curves. Using manufacturer data, the IT-PE-100 would deliver 132 kWh during the whole year (70 kWh during the sea breeze period). From the simulations, the IT-PE-100 would deliver 155 kWh during the whole year (80 kWh during the sea breeze period). It is concluded that the sea-breeze is an interesting wind energy resource for micro-generation, not only in the Mediterranean basin but in other areas of the world with similar wind regimes, and particularly in peri-urban coastal areas where large-scale wind farms cannot be implemented.

A Characterization of the Delaware Sea Breeze Using Observations and Modeling

“…The low-level atmospheric convergence of the seabreeze front with the land-based air mass can also influence convection, cloud development, and related precipitation (Atkins and Wakimoto 1997;Gahmberg et al 2010). Finally, as sea-breeze circulations expand both landward and seaward, they may increase diurnal variability in wind speed and direction over areas proposed for offshore wind development (Mazon et al 2015;Arritt 1989;Fett and Tag 1984).…”

Advanced methodology for wind resource assessment near hydroelectric dams in complex mountainous areas

“…It would be interesting to install meteorological masts in relevant locations to obtain experimental data at 10 m height for validation, and to study, in the simulations, the effect of temperature on thermal winds, common in mountainous areas. Moreover, it would be worth analysing the wind resource time fluctuations associated with thermal winds, due to their cyclic diurnal and seasonal fluctuations, often intense during spring and fall, when thermal gradients responsible for these winds are usually largest [62]. Recall that the methodology contemplates identifying thermal winds in the candidate locations, as in the case study, for which the dominant wind directions were aligned with the valley between mountains, indicating a thermal nature of these winds.…”

Large‐scale offshore wind energy installation in northwest India: Assessment of wind resource using Weather Research and Forecasting and levelized cost of energy

“…This indicates the significance of modelling sea breeze while designing for offshore wind farms. The influence of sea breeze can extend to altitudes of 300–400 m, greater than the typical tip elevation of all but the largest wind turbines, as the heat difference between the land and sea increases during daylight 14 . Sudden wind speed and turbulence changes at the onset of sea breeze at the height of a wind rotor can affect the energy yield and loads experienced.…”

“…The influence of sea breeze can extend to altitudes of 300-400 m, greater than the typical tip elevation of all but the largest wind turbines, as the heat difference between the land and sea increases during daylight. 14 Sudden wind speed and turbulence changes at the onset of sea breeze at the height of a wind rotor can affect the energy yield and loads experienced. Such short-term variations of the wind resource have not been addressed in prior studies of the Indian offshore wind resource, and so it is valuable to establish the impact of these conditions on energy yield.…”