Assessment of Wind Potential: The Case of Puka Region in Albania

Abstract

More than any time in the past, renewable energy sources and specifically wind energy are a focus point for research scientists as well as national governments across the world. However, the successful implementation of wind energy projects requires a thorough understanding, study and evaluation of the wind potential in the area of interest. This research work evaluates the wind potential in the region of Puka, Albania based on data from actual terrain measurements over 14 months, as well as measurements spanning 13 years from two atlases (Wind Balkan Atlas and New European Wind Atlas), analysed using the WasP program. Distribution maps of wind speed and power density at 50m a.g.l. show that hill summits in this area are classified as V and VI wind power class. The New European Wind Atlas was closer than the Wind Balkan Atlas to real-life terrain measurements based on the values of wind speed and power density gathered from the 9 wind turbines in the studied area. Observed wind climate files from both atlases show a 300 deviation in wind direction compared to terrain measurements. Changing the wind farm layout design for the turbines according to the main wind direction significantly lowered wake losses.