Evaluation of wind characteristics and energy potential in Kayseri, Turkey

Although Turkey enjoys very important wind energy potential, the studies of the exploration and utilization this potential are still less than the level needed. In this study, the wind energy potential and wind characteristics of Kayseri province and of its some counties, located in the Central Anatolian region, were investigated using the wind speeds data hourly recorded at 10 m hub height from the year 2000 to 2006. The observed wind data were processed as annual and seasonal by means of the FORTRAN computer code. Weibull and Rayleigh probability density functions of the location using actual data are calculated. For Pinarbasi County, in the considered years, Weibull shape parameter k and scale parameter c vary between values of 1.40 and 1.59 and 3.91 and 4.26 m/s, respectively. In Pinarbasi, the mean power density varies between 65 and 90 W/ m2 according to actual data while between 75 and 100 W/ m2 according to Weibull data. In addition, for Pinarbasi, the maximum value of the mean power density according to actual data for the winter season is 170 W/ m2 in 2001. Mean power density in all of the considered years for Pinarbasi is considerable in winter and spring. As a result, Pinarbasi, among the considered sites, has a remarkable potential of wind energy for utilization and can be evaluated as a marginal area for cost-effective electrical energy generation as the costs of wind energy conversion systems are lowered. © 2009 ASCE