Wind climate estimation and power production analysis in India
Student name: Mr Arun Rana
Guide: Mr V.S.P.Sinha
Year of completion: 2009
Host Organisation: WinDForce Management Services Pvt. Ltd.
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Mrs Gayathri V
Abstract: An increase in public awareness regarding the negative impact of traditional
power-generating methods, especially coal and oil-fired power stations, on the environment
has created a demand for developing and using environmentally friendly renewable energy.
Wind power is a popular and safe form of renewable energy. It can be economically viable,
does not produce any physical pollution and can contribute radically to the reduction in air
pollution. In India, the demand for wind energy is mounting. However, achieving the goal
set by the MNRE and C-WET will require a substantial expansion. So we have to come up
with techniques that can help assist this huge task of expansion.
In this paper, a wind map is presented which incorporates several micro-scale
features, such as terrain roughness, elevation, Land Use/Land Cover etc. Ground data from
various sources were collected and modified for height and land condition adjustments
based on local knowledge and GIS information. A set of meso-scale wind maps, generated
with the aid of NASA database was studied for establishing a general pattern of wind speed
variation throughout India. By combining the modified ground data (Land use and Land
cover, Digital Elevation Model, Slope Classes) with suitable CWET wind speed data, a wind
resource map indicating various classes of wind potential has been developed. It was found
that, the generated wind map and the modified ground data resemble. Annual average wind
speed at 80 m height along the coastal belt is above 8 m/s. Wind speed in almost all
southern parts is above 6 m/s while inland wind speed is around 3 m/s for most part of
country. This map can be used as Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) for making key
decision for setting up of Wind Farms on a suitable platform like ArcGIS.
Key Words: Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS), Geographical Information System
(GIS), Remote Sensing (RS), Renewable Energy, Wind Speed
