A methodology for evaluating the spatial variability of wind energy resources: Application to assess the potential contribution of wind energy to baseload power

• Published in: Renewable energy Vol. 69; pp. 147 - 156
• Main Authors: Santos-Alamillos, F.J., Pozo-Vázquez, D., Ruiz-Arias, J.A., Lara-Fanego, V., Tovar-Pescador, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-09-2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Allocations; Andalusia; Applied sciences; Balancing; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Firm capacity; Fluctuation; Natural energy; Optimization; PCA; Position (location); Topography; Wind energy; Wind energy variability; Wind power; Wind turbines; ANE, Europe, Iberian Peninsula; MED, Gibraltar Strait; Balancing; Wind energy variability; Firm capacity; Andalusia; PCA; Wind energy; Energy resources; Renewable energy; Methodology; Variability; Base load
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2014.03.006

We propose a method for analyzing the potential contribution of wind energy resources to stable (baseload) power within a region. The method uses principal component analysis (PCA) to analyze spatiotemporal balancing of wind energy resources and then assesses the optimal wind farm location to reduce wind power fluctuations. The ability of different reference wind turbines, alone or interconnected, to provide stable power is ultimately evaluated at selected locations. The method was tested in the southern Iberian Peninsula, including offshore areas. We used hourly wind energy estimates from the WRF mesoscale model at 3-km spatial resolution for the period 2008–2010. First, results show a valuable spatial balancing pattern between the wind energy resources in the northeast study region and Strait of Gibraltar area. The pattern was found to result from the interaction of mesoscale zonal flow with the complex topography of the region. Second, the results indicate that by taking advantage of the spatial balancing pattern, the optimal allocation and interconnection of wind farms across the region, can substantially reduce wind power fluctuations. This optimal allocation can in some cases generate stable power, thereby contributing to baseload power.
•A methodology for analyzing the spatiotemporal variability of wind energy has been proposed and evaluated.•The optimal places for wind farms in order to provide a more stable power have been located.•The balancing patterns are mainly conditioned by the interaction of the mesoscale activity over a region and topography.•Several balancing patterns were found in Andalusia with a strong dependence on the analyzed season.