The analysis of wind data and wind energy potential in Kutahya, Turkey

The wind energy is one of the most significant and rapidly developing renewable energy sources in the world and it provides a clean energy resource, which is a promising alternative in the short term in Turkey. The wind energy potential in various parts of Turkey is becoming economical due to reductions in the wind turbine costs, and in fossil fuel atmospheric pollution. Because of this, it is necessary to make use of this resource immediately and start conducting the required technical and economical feasibility research. The main purpose of this paper is to present, in brief, wind potential in Turkey and to perform an investigation on the wind energy potential of Kutahya. Therefore, in this study, a wind observation station was established at Dumlupinar University Main Campus in order to figure out the wind energy potential in the province. Topographical and wind speed measurement data have been collected as a first step. The wind speed has been measured at the 10th and 30th meters of the measurement mast for 20 months. The data collected in this observation station between July 2001 and February 2003 have been evaluated via CALLaLOG 98 and ALWIN software programs. The wind energy potential of the location has been studied based on the Weibull and the Rayleigh models. Weibull approximation was found to be better than that of Rayleigh model. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.