Wind energy feasibility and wind turbine selection studies for the city Surat, India

Abstract

Abstract Wind energy represents a clean, abundant and cost-effective power source, fostering job growth and environmental mitigation. Although wind energy harnesses several gigawatts today, its availability hinges on diverse factors, with geographical location standing out. Commercial turbines, with varying capacity ranges, saturate the market. Locating site-specific suitability and matching the appropriate turbine to meet specific requirements are of paramount importance. This study aims to assess the feasibility of wind energy in Surat, Gujarat, India and select an optimal small commercial turbine for residential use. The research involves Rayleigh and Weibull probability distribution functions based on yearlong velocity data. These distributions are fitted with actual data, revealing the most probable velocity (vmf = 3 m/s) and velocity at maximum power (vpmax = 5 m/s). The power availability of the site has been assessed as 42.6 W/m2 using both graphical and analytical methods. Several commercial turbines have been shortlisted based on on-site power criteria and their specifications are evaluated against site power availability. A comparative analysis culminates in identifying the most suitable turbine for the location. The best suitable turbine for the site with an annual energy yield of 8 MW has been suggested amongst selected turbines for small-scale residential applications.