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Seasonal Correction of Offshore Wind Energy Potential due to Air Density: Case of the Iberian Peninsula

Author

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  • Alain Ulazia

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

  • Gabriel Ibarra-Berastegi

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

  • Jon Sáenz

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

  • Sheila Carreno-Madinabeitia

    (TECNALIA, Parque Tecnológico de Álava, Albert Einstein 28, E-01510 Miñano (Araba/Álava), Spain)

  • Santos J. González-Rojí

    (Department of Applied Physics II, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), B. Sarriena s/n, E-48940 Leioa, Spain
    Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
    Climate and Environmental Physics, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland)

Abstract

A constant value of air density based on its annual average value at a given location is commonly used for the computation of the annual energy production in wind industry. Thus, the correction required in the estimation of daily, monthly or seasonal wind energy production, due to the use of air density, is ordinarily omitted in existing literature. The general method, based on the implementation of the wind speed’s Weibull distribution over the power curve of the turbine, omits it if the power curve is not corrected according to the air density of the site. In this study, the seasonal variation of air density was shown to be highly relevant for the computation of offshore wind energy potential around the Iberian Peninsula. If the temperature, pressure, and moisture are taken into account, the wind power density and turbine capacity factor corrections derived from these variations are also significant. In order to demonstrate this, the advanced Weather Research and Forecasting mesoscale Model (WRF) using data assimilation was executed in the study area to obtain a spatial representation of these corrections. According to the results, the wind power density, estimated by taking into account the air density correction, exhibits a difference of 8% between summer and winter, compared with that estimated without the density correction. This implies that seasonal capacity factor estimation corrections of up to 1% in percentage points are necessary for wind turbines mainly for summer and winter, due to air density changes.

Suggested Citation

  • Alain Ulazia & Gabriel Ibarra-Berastegi & Jon Sáenz & Sheila Carreno-Madinabeitia & Santos J. González-Rojí, 2019. "Seasonal Correction of Offshore Wind Energy Potential due to Air Density: Case of the Iberian Peninsula," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-22, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:13:p:3648-:d:245152
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. 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).
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