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Mapping the wind resource over UK cities

Author

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  • Millward-Hopkins, J.T.
  • Tomlin, A.S.
  • Ma, L.
  • Ingham, D.B.
  • Pourkashanian, M.

Abstract

Decentralised energy sources, such as small-scale-wind energy, have a number of well-known advantages. However, within urban areas, the potential for energy generation from the wind is not currently fully utilised. One of the most significant reasons for this is that the complexity of air flows within the urban boundary layer makes accurate predictions of the wind resource difficult to achieve. Without sufficiently accurate methods of predicting this resource, there is a danger that wind turbines will either be installed at unsuitable locations or that many viable sites will be overlooked. In this paper, we compare the accuracy of three different analytical methodologies for predicting above-roof mean wind speeds across a number of UK cities. The first is based upon a methodology developed by the UK Meteorological Office. We then implement two more complex methods which utilise maps of surface aerodynamic parameters derived from detailed building data. The predictions are compared with measured mean wind speeds from a wide variety of UK urban locations. The results show that the methodologies are generally more accurate when more complexity is used in the approach, particularly for the sites which are well exposed to the wind. The best agreement with measured data is achieved when the influence of wind direction is thoroughly considered and aerodynamic parameters are derived from detailed building data. However, some uncertainties in the building data add to the errors inherent within the methodologies. Consequently, it is suggested that a detailed description of both the shapes and heights of the local building roofs is required to maximise the accuracy of wind speed predictions.

Suggested Citation

  • Millward-Hopkins, J.T. & Tomlin, A.S. & Ma, L. & Ingham, D.B. & Pourkashanian, M., 2013. "Mapping the wind resource over UK cities," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 202-211.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:55:y:2013:i:c:p:202-211
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2012.12.039
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Weekes, S.M. & Tomlin, A.S., 2013. "Evaluation of a semi-empirical model for predicting the wind energy resource relevant to small-scale wind turbines," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 280-288.
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    Cited by:

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    2. De Silva, P.N.K. & Simons, S.J.R. & Stevens, P., 2016. "Economic impact analysis of natural gas development and the policy implications," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 639-651.
    3. Yang, An-Shik & Su, Ying-Ming & Wen, Chih-Yung & Juan, Yu-Hsuan & Wang, Wei-Siang & Cheng, Chiang-Ho, 2016. "Estimation of wind power generation in dense urban area," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 213-230.
    4. Isabel Cristina Gil-García & María Socorro García-Cascales & Angel Molina-García, 2022. "Urban Wind: An Alternative for Sustainable Cities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-20, June.
    5. Kumar, Rakesh & Raahemifar, Kaamran & Fung, Alan S., 2018. "A critical review of vertical axis wind turbines for urban applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 281-291.
    6. Charles Newbold & Mohammad Akrami & Mahdieh Dibaj, 2021. "Scenarios, Financial Viability and Pathways of Localized Hybrid Energy Generation Systems around the United Kingdom," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-27, September.
    7. Drew, D.R. & Barlow, J.F. & Cockerill, T.T. & Vahdati, M.M., 2015. "The importance of accurate wind resource assessment for evaluating the economic viability of small wind turbines," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 493-500.
    8. Luca Salvadori & Annalisa Di Bernardino & Giorgio Querzoli & Simone Ferrari, 2021. "A Novel Automatic Method for the Urban Canyon Parametrization Needed by Turbulence Numerical Simulations for Wind Energy Potential Assessment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-22, August.
    9. Daniel Micallef & Gerard Van Bussel, 2018. "A Review of Urban Wind Energy Research: Aerodynamics and Other Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-27, August.
    10. Hernández, Ó. Soto & Volkov, K. & Martín Mederos, A.C. & Medina Padrón, J.F. & Feijóo Lorenzo, A.E., 2015. "Power output of a wind turbine installed in an already existing viaduct," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 287-299.
    11. Millward-Hopkins, J.T. & Tomlin, A.S. & Ma, L. & Ingham, D.B. & Pourkashanian, M., 2013. "Assessing the potential of urban wind energy in a major UK city using an analytical model," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 701-710.

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