Extreme Wind Speed from Different Directions in Kuwait

Abstract

Assessment of extreme wind speed for different return periods and from different directions is required for designing and choosing wind turbines. Extreme wind speed analysis for Kuwait is carried out based on the measured wind speed data at Kuwait International Airport from 1962 to 2002. The maximum expected 10 minute average wind speeds at 10 m elevation from the ground level and from 16 different directions and for different return periods were predicted using the Gumbel distribution. Consequently, the maximum wind speeds from NW and SE directions (which are the most predominant wind directions in Kuwait) for a return period of 100 years were 25 m/s and 22 m/s respectively; for SW and WSW directions, the maximum wind speeds for the 100 year return period were 33 m/s and 31 m/s respectively.