Wind Energy Potential Assessment in Chalus County in Iran

This study presents wind energy potential assessment in Chalus county in Iran. Wind data are collected 14 months from 2006 to 2007 in the time interval of 10 minutes at heights of 30 and 40 meters. The values of k (dimensionless Weibull shape parameter) at 40 m height were ranged from 1 to 1.34 with a mean value of 1.14, whereas the values of c (Weibull scale parameter) were ranged from 1.85 to 3.43 with a mean value of 2.83. At 40 m height, monthly mean wind speeds during 14 months, were ranged from 1.75 to 3.42 m/s with annual mean wind speed of 2.69 m/s. Possibility of monthly mean wind speeds of over 4 m/s has not been observed for both 40 m and 30 m. Feasibility of installing a small wind turbine was studied. The type of the wind turbine is " Bergey XL. 1" with cut-in wind speed of 2.5 m/s. In 7 successive months of the year, April, May, Jun, July, August, September and October, especially in August, the mean wind speed is between 2.5 m/s and 3.3 m/s (for both 30 m and 40 m) which seems to be adequate for installing this wind turbine. However because of low energy production of the wind turbine (493 kWh/yr), low capacity factor (5.6 %) and having low monthly mean wind speeds (less than 4 m/s), it is not economical to install this small wind turbine in this site. According to the statistics it was concluded that the wind potential of studied site is not capable for using wind energy in order to produce electricity but is probably capable for mechanical applications such as water pumping.