Measurements of the Wind Energy Resource in the Latvia

In the Baltic countries interest to the renewable energy is growing. Government support and availability of large unpopulated areas on the coast makes attractive use of these lands for the placement of large wind power plants (WPP). For successful implementation of planned projects reliable information about distribution of the resource of wind energy is needed. Researches in this area are carried out by collaboration IPE with VeA. The paper presents the results of years-long observations on the density fluctuations of wind energy at heights of 10 to 60 m in the area in the Baltic Sea coast in the north and the south-west of Latvia. The velocity observations from 2004 till 2010 years have been obtained by measurements complex of the LOGGER 9200 Symphonie type. The results presented in the form of tables, bar charts and graphs. The graphs of seasonal fluctuations of wind speed have been obtained for the heights up to 60 m by measurements over the period of 2007 – 2010. The histograms have been composed for the relative frequency of repetition of wind speed. The wind speed distribution on heights up to 60 m was analysed and coefficients of approximating functions for the two areas with different terrain types were calculated. Extrapolation results of the distribution curves of wind velocity and density mean values on heights up to 150 m were shown. Modelling of the acoustic noise level distribution around planned WPP from 32 wind generators was made. Calculations allow defining a zone of noise influence on environment and determining if the planned projects are in accordance with requirements of the Law of Republic of Latvia, which establishes acceptance standards of noise level in populated areas