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The Consequences of Air Density Variations over Northeastern Scotland for Offshore Wind Energy Potential

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  • Alain Ulazia

    (Department of NE and Fluid Mechanics, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Otaola 29, 20600 Eibar, Spain)

  • Ander Nafarrate

    (Department of NE and Fluid Mechanics, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Otaola 29, 20600 Eibar, Spain)

  • Gabriel Ibarra-Berastegi

    (Department of NE and Fluid Mechanics, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Alda. Urkijo, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
    Joint Research Unit (UPV/EHU-IEO) Plentziako Itsas Estazioa, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Areatza Hiribidea 47, 48620 Plentzia, Spain)

  • Jon Sáenz

    (Joint Research Unit (UPV/EHU-IEO) Plentziako Itsas Estazioa, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Areatza Hiribidea 47, 48620 Plentzia, Spain
    Department of Applied Physics II, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), B. Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain)

  • Sheila Carreno-Madinabeitia

    (Meteorology Area, Energy and Environment Division, TECNALIA R&I, Basque Country, Spain)

Abstract

Hywind-Scotland is a wind farm in Scotland that for many reasons is at the leading edge of technology and is located at a paradigmatic study area for offshore wind energy assessment. The objective of this paper is to compute the Capacity Factor ( C F ) changes and instantaneous power generation changes due to seasonal and hourly fluctuations in air density. For that reason, the novel ERA5 reanalysis is used as a source of temperature, pressure, and wind speed data. Seasonal results for winter show that C F values increase by 3% due to low temperatures and denser air, with economical profit consequences of tens of thousands (US$). Hourly results show variations of 7% in air density and of 26% in power generation via FAST simulations, emphasizing the need to include air density in short-term wind energy studying.

Suggested Citation

  • Alain Ulazia & Ander Nafarrate & Gabriel Ibarra-Berastegi & Jon Sáenz & Sheila Carreno-Madinabeitia, 2019. "The Consequences of Air Density Variations over Northeastern Scotland for Offshore Wind Energy Potential," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-18, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:13:p:2635-:d:246895
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Gualtieri, G., 2022. "Analysing the uncertainties of reanalysis data used for wind resource assessment: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    2. Maddi Aizpurua-Etxezarreta & Sheila Carreno-Madinabeitia & Alain Ulazia & Jon Sáenz & Aitor Saenz-Aguirre, 2022. "Long-Term Freezing Temperatures Frequency Change Effect on Wind Energy Gain (Eurasia and North America, 1950–2019)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-15, May.
    3. Giovanni Gualtieri, 2021. "Reliability of ERA5 Reanalysis Data for Wind Resource Assessment: A Comparison against Tall Towers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-21, July.
    4. Shengjin Wang & Hongru Yang & Quoc Bao Pham & Dao Nguyen Khoi & Pham Thi Thao Nhi, 2020. "An Ensemble Framework to Investigate Wind Energy Sustainability Considering Climate Change Impacts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-17, January.
    5. Carreno-Madinabeitia, Sheila & Ibarra-Berastegi, Gabriel & Sáenz, Jon & Ulazia, Alain, 2021. "Long-term changes in offshore wind power density and wind turbine capacity factor in the Iberian Peninsula (1900–2010)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    6. Ahmed Elkhatat & Shaheen A. Al-Muhtaseb, 2023. "Combined “Renewable Energy–Thermal Energy Storage (RE–TES)” Systems: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-46, June.
    7. Alain Ulazia & Gabriel Ibarra-Berastegi, 2020. "Problem-Based Learning in University Studies on Renewable Energies: Case of a Laboratory Windpump," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-15, March.

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    Keywords

    ERA5; air density; offshore wind energy; FAST; Scotland;
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