Abstract:
The present study brings out a systematic procedure for Optimal planning and
laying out wind turbine at prospective wind farm site. The Wind Energy Resource
Analysis (WERA) model was used here for the wind energy analysis and turbine
performance simulation. WERA model was validated using long term as well as
short term field performance data from Kanjikode wind farm, Palakkad, Kerala.
The velocity-power proportionality for the three bladed horizontal axis wind
turbine at the wind farm was computed as 1.75. Wind energy potential of 10
prospective sites were analyzed using WERA among which 5 sites were short listed
for possible wind farm activities. The short listed sites are Kayattar, Rameshwarm,
Kanjikode, Sultanpet and Andipatti. Performance of a 2 MW commercial wind
turbine at these sites was simulated using WERA software. An interlinking
programme correlating the result of above analysis with GIS was developed.
Economics of wind energy conversion systems at these sites was estimated using
above programme. It was found that the cost of wind energy in a kWh basis ranges
from Rs.1.28 toRs.1.72 at the short listed sites. Based on economic viability, the
site Kayattar was finally selected for the wind farm activity. Considering the wind
potential and site constraints, a method was developed for micro-siting of the
turbine at this site using Geographical Information System. Accordingly, elevation
contour map, digital elevation model, velocity map, distance from boundary map,
cut velocity map, suitability map and location map were developed. Optimal
locations of the turbines for a 20 MW wind farm at this site were identified.
Energy yield of individual turbines installed at the site were computed using
WERA software. The total energy output of the wind farm is found to be
45927605.9 MWh.
