Abstract

Availability of wind energy and its characteristics at Kumta and Sirsi in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka has been studied based on primary data collected at these sites for a period of 24 months. Wind regimes at Karwar (1952–1989), Honnavar (1939–1989) and Shirali (1974–1989) have also been analysed based on data collected from India Meteorological Department (IMD) of respective meterological observatories. Wind energy conversion systems would be most effective in these taluks during the period May to August. The monthly frequency distributions of wind speed have been analysed for Kumta and Sirsi where hourly wind speed recording is available. It is shown that two parameter Weibull distribution is a good representation of the probability density function for the wind speed. Energy Pattern Factor (EPF) and Power Densities are computed for sites at Kumta and Sirsi. With the knowledge of EPF and mean wind speed, mean power density is computed for Karwar, Honnavar and Shirali. Our analyses show that the coastal taluks such as Karwar and Kumta have good wind potential. This potential, if exploited would help local industries and coconut and areca plantations. Premonsoon availability of wind energy would help in irrigating these orchards and makes the wind energy a desirable alternative.

References

1. L.C. Wilbur. In: (4th Ed ed.),Handbook of Energy Systems Engineering––Production and Utilisation, John Wiley & Sons, New York (1985).

2. World Meteorological Organisation, Guide to Meteorological Instrument and Observing Practices. (4th Ed ed.),, WMO, Geneva, Switzerland (1964) No. 8, TP. 3 .

3. H. Lysen, Introduction to Wind Energy 2nd Ed . Consultancy Services, Wind Energy, Developing Countries (CWD) 82-1 (1983) The Netherlands .

4. C.G. Justus, Wind data collection and assessment. In: Proc. Initial Wind Energy Data Assessment StudyAshville, NC, , Department of Energy, U.S.A. (1975) NSF-RA-75-020 .

5. M.J.M. Stevens and P.T. Smulders, The estimation of the parameter of the Weibull wind speed distribution for wind energy utilization purposes. , Wind Energy Group, Department of Physics, University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands (1980).

6. A. Mani and D.A. Mooley, Wind Energy Data for India. , Allied Publishers Private Limited, New Delhi (1983).

7. TNEB, Tamilnadu Electricity Board Statistics at a Glance. , Tamilnadu, India (1994).