Analysis of wind speed data and annual energy potential at Samoeng district in Thailand

Abstract

In this study, the wind speed characteristic and evaluation of wind power generation at Samoeng district, Chiang Mai were investigated using wind speed data and wind direction data, during time of January 2011 to December 2011 and measured at a height of 20, 40 and 80 m above ground level. It was found that the mean wind speed of 3.8, 3.92 and 4.30 m/s. While the mean wind direction of 20.73% and indicating from the southwest. The mean of power density of 107 W/m2, the shape parameter (k) was 1.715 1.633 and 1.783, scale parameter (c) of 3.649, 3.651 and 4.092 m/s, the mean of wind shear coefficient was 0.19. The evaluation of wind energy for electricity generation by install the wind turbine of Nordex N50 from Germany and Vestas V90 from Denmark were capacity of 800 kW and 3 MW. It could produce annual electricity of 1,761,379 kWh and 3,772,400 kWh, and the capacity factor show 25.13% and 14.35%, respectively. Finally, the results showed the northern area of Thailand was suitable for wind power development in further.