Wind speed and power density analysis based on Weibull and Rayleigh distributions (a case study: Firouzkooh county of Iran)

The present study aimed to analyze the wind speed data of Firouzkooh region. For this purpose, the wind speed data for a 3-h period measuring over a 10-year period (2001-2010) were analyzed to calculate and estimate the wind power generation potential. Similar trends of the wind speeds were seen in different years where the highest and the lowest mean wind speeds belonged to May 2010 and June 2002, respectively. The diurnal wind speed analysis demonstrated that the fastest winds blew from 6 am to 3 pm. Weibull and Rayleigh distribution functions were applied to find out the best fitting tool to the wind speed data. Results showed that Weibull and Rayleigh distribution functions can fit the actual values of wind speed well with almost the same coefficient of determination value (R2) of 0.97. The average values of wind power based on mean and root mean cube speed approaches were 203 and 248 W m−2 year−1, respectively indicating that Firouzkooh region stands in class 4 (which is a suitable area for wind turbine establishment). Finally, wind rose diagram revealed that the prevailing wind direction falls in the sector between 180° and 270° clockwise from North.