Normalized power curves as a tool for identification of optimumwind turbine generator parameters

This paper presents a novel method of matching wind turbine generators to a site using normalized power and capacity factor curves. The site matching is based on identifying optimum turbine speed parameters from turbine performance index curve, which is obtained from the normalized curves, so as to yield higher energy production at higher capacity factor. The wind speeds are parameterized using cubic mean cuberoot and statistically modeled using Weibull probability density function. An expression for normalized power and capacity factor, expressed entirely in normalized rated speed, is derived. Wind Turbine Performance Index, a new ranking parameter, is defined to optimally match turbines to a potential wind site. The plots of normalized power, capacity factor and turbine performance index versus normalized rated wind speed are drawn for a known value of Weibull shape parameter of a site. Usefulness of these normalized curves for identifying optimum wind turbine generator parameters for a site is presented by means of two illustrative case studies. The generalized curves, if used at the planning and development stages of wind power stations, will serve as useful tool to make a judicious choice of a wind turbine generator that yields higher energy at higher capacity factor     

Height extrapolation of capacity factors for wind turbinegenerators

This letter discusses height extrapolation of capacity factors of a wind power plant. The power law is used to arrive at a new mathematical formulation for the vertical adjustments of analytically computed capacity factors. The Weibull statistical model, using cubic mean of wind speeds, is employed for estimating the capacity factors. The new formulation is useful for estimating capacity factors at the time of planning and installation of new wind power stations and upgrading of existing wind stations by capacity addition     

Optimum siting of wind turbine generators

This paper investigates optimum siting of wind turbine generators from the viewpoint of site and wind turbine generator selection. The methodology of analysis is based on the accurate assessment of wind power potential of various sites. The analytical computations of annual and monthly capacity factors are done using the Weibull statistical model using cubic mean cube root of wind speeds. As many as fifty-four potential wind sites, with and without wind turbine installations, geographically distributed in different states of India are used for the siting analysis. As an outcome of this analysis several definitive conclusions of archival nature have been arrived at and are presented in the paper. If this analysis is done at the planning and development stages of installation of wind power stations, it will enable the wind power developer or the power utilities to make a judicious choice of potential site and wind turbine generator system from the available potential sites and wind turbine generators respectively