Abstract

In this paper, we describe the use of satellite measurements to provide additional data and insight to describe wind power resources in coastal areas. A common method for a first evaluation of potential sites, Numerical Weather Prediction models (NWP), is compared to wind estimates from the EnviSat satellite C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). The requirement and limitation of the techniques are evaluated, and wind speed results for a potential offshore wind power site in northern Norway are presented. We find that SAR based wind estimate provides high spatial resolution that allows identification of turbulence and wind shadowing effects, which combined with meteorological weather models can be used to improve wind power resource mapping in coastal regions.

Keywords:
asar wind map, incidence angle, prediction, renewable energy, social responsibility, wind farm, wind direction, resolution, gravity wave, estimation
Subjects:
Environment, Sustainability/Social Responsibility, Information Management and Systems, Sustainable development
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2015. International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers
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