Wind Resource Assessment programme

Introduction -

Wind energy technology is a mature technology and is the most promising renewable energy technologies. Wind energy technology can be considered least expensive compared to other renewable technologies. Environmentally also it is a clean source of energy. Wind power has become established in the Indian energy sector also.

Wind Energy is the energy created due to heating of the Earth's surface and rotation of Earth. Uneven heating of different parts of the Earth causes difference in the air pressure, which causes air to flow from high-pressure region to low pressure region. This phenomenon is termed as ‘wind’. Wind contains tremendous amount of energy and is utilized to generate power on a large scale.

Objective -

The main objective of the Wind Resource Assessment (WRA) programme is to select suitable windy sites for study the wind speed, wind direction wind power density etc. of the respective location for declaration of the feasibility of the site for development of Wind power project.

Site feasibility declaration criteria -

1) As per MNRE/C-WET for site feasibility declaration criteria, “ if the annual average wind power density (WPD) at 50M height is found to be 200W/M2, then only the site will be declared for wind power project development”.

2) As per MNRE vide its circular F.No.51/55/2011-WE dtd.01/08/2011 has announced that no restriction will exit for wind power criteria as far the development of wind power project is concerned.

Download Guidelines for WRA Site Selection and Methodology

The Wind Resource Measurement essentially consists of -

1) Wind resource assessment study is carried out by using 50 m height tubular mast by fixing the Anemometers and wind vanes at 50 and 30 m ht respectively.

2) Wind resource assessment study is carried out by using 80 m height tubular mast by fixing the Anemometers 80, 78.5,50 & 20 m and wind vanes at  78.5,50 m ht respectively.

3) Wind resource assessment study is carried out by using 100 m height    lattice mast by fixing Anemometers at 100, 80, 50 & 20 m, Wind vanes at 98,78 & 48 m, Pressure sensor & Temperature sensor at 10 m ht. Respectively.

4)  Data Logger: It is a compact electronic device with a provision to record and store various parameters with designed sampling and recording intervals.  It is mounted in a non-corrosive, water tight and lockable enclosure in order to be protected from environment & vandalism. It is operated by battery power.

Success Story of WRA programme -

 Due to extensive and rigorous implementation of Wind Resource Assessment programme in Maharashtra upto 31st March 2016, 51 sites found feasible for development with a 9400 MW potential. Out of this 4661.910 MW capacity wind power projects are established at 46 MNRE declared and privately found sites in the state upto 31st March 2016.

 Wind Resource Assessment is in progress at 34 sites in various uncovered regions of state. At 34 sites, 50 m height tubular mast is installed at 1 site, 80 m height tubular mast is installed and at 22 sites, 100 m height tubular mast is installed at 11 sites.

 WRA programme in progress

 Wind Resource Assessment is in progress at 34 sites in various uncovered regions of state. At 34 sites, 50 m height tubular mast is installed at 1 site, 80 m height tubular mast is installed and at 22 sites, 100 m height tubular mast is installed at 11 sites.

 List of manufacturer/Supplier of Wind Mast -

Downloads -

1.   Download Guidelines for WRA Site Selection and Methodology

2.    Download List of Potential Sites for Wind Power Projects in Maharashtra Declared by MNRE/C-WET Chennai

3.    MNRE / NIWE procedure for sanction of WRA station to SNA

4.    List of WRA stations installed in Maharashtra 

Reference websites –

 For more details contact -    idd@mahaurja.com