Wind resource assessment for decentralised power generation: Case study of a complex hilly terrain in western Himalayan region

Micro-wind turbines have a vast potential for wind power generation for decentralised applications in remote locations for which detailed wind resource assessment has to be carried out. With this objective wind characteristic assessment for a location in western Himalayan region is carried out using Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program micro scale model. Wind potential is determined using measured wind data at 1 min, 10 min, hourly and daily intervals. The mean power density is found to be more for shorter time intervals. The vertical wind profiles at different hub heights 30 m, 50 m, 70 m, 100 m and 135 m are determined. Weibull shape and scale parameters are found to range from 1.58 to 2.32 and 2 to 2.8, respectively indicating this location as a fairly windy site. The wind resource is found suitable for water pumping, roof top mounted micro-wind turbines up to 5 kWp with low cut in wind speeds and for solar–wind hybrid systems for decentralised power generation. Further follow up research areas are identified for effective utilisation of this resource.