Abstract

Investigation of wind energy resource and wind turbine characteristics in Urumqi, China

Author(s): Chong Li

The ten-year monthly mean data for wind speeds at 10, 50,100, 150 and 300 m heights over a typical year were statistically analyzed in this study to determine the potential for wind power generation in Urumqi, China, using the two-parameter Weibull distribution function. The shape factor k and scale factor c were estimated by the maximum likelihood method. Eight small to medium-sized commercially available wind turbines were selected for this region, and theirmean energy outputs and capacity factors were analyzed. Results showed that the highestmonthlymean wind speeds at the different heights occurred in November, and the lowest occurred in June. The long-term monthly mean wind speeds were found to be higher fromSeptember toMay than in othermonths in a typical year. The Urumqi site indicated poor wind characteristics. The mean energy outputs for the selected wind turbines ranged from2,062 to 79,968 kWh/yr. Their capacity factors ranged from5.2%to 15.9%.