Interannual Wind Speed Variations and Estimated Wind Turbine Generator Energy Output at Selected Sites in the Pacific Northwest

Abstract

The hourly wind speed data collected over a six-year period at four wind power measurement locations are used to estimate the annual energy output of a large wind turbine generator. The interannual energy and wind speed variations are discussed. The estimated interannual energy output at each location is related to the mean annual wind speed variation. The data indicate that at three of the four locations the estimated interannual energy variation varied as the square of the mean annual wind speed variation. That is, a 10 percent increase in the mean annual wind speed resulted in a 20 percent increase in the annual energy output. At the fourth location there was an approximate linear relationship.