Conclusion

Wind is one of the most promising renewable energy resources which can substitute for the fast depleting fossil fuels. Wind energy potential in Uttara Kannada district can meet the electrical energy consumption for domestic demand through decentralized generation and wind turbine driven pumps can decrease the dependency on grid supply for irrigation. The district experiences annual average wind speed ranging from 2.5 m/s to 3.0 m/s in all the taluks which opens up wide range opportunities for WECS installation. Hybridizing wind energy systems with other locally available resources (solar and biomass) would assure reliable energy supply for domestic and irrigation demands. The estimate shows that 1600 kW to more than 11000 kW can be harvested through WECS. Small and medium scale WECS are technically feasible and economically viable for being hybridized with solar and biomass plants to meet the community level domestic and irrigation load throughout the year. Such systems are environmental friendly, reliable, efficient and sustainable which also leads to reduction of abundant amount of carbon dioxide emission.