Modeling of wind energy potential using a high-resolution grid over Mekong riverside region in the northeastern part of Thailand

Wind energy has become more prominent with contributions to CO 2 emission reduction, energy prices, and climate change issues. High-resolution wind energy potential maps of the Mekong riverside area in the upper northeastern part of Thailand at elevations of 100, 120, and 200 m above sea level (ASL) are presented in this paper, made using coupled mesoscale and microscale atmospheric wind flow modeling. Wind resource maps are presented and validated with observed wind data from three wind measurement towers installed along the Mekong riverside. Wind resource maps at an elevation of 120 m (ASL) show that the northern region near Laos is characterized by wind speeds in the range of 1.29 to 3.79 m/s, while the mountainous area in Mukdahan has wind speeds in the range of 1.63 to 3.85 m/s. As stipulated in Thai energy policies for wind power plant development, the annual energy production, the capacity factors, and the reduction of CO 2 gas emissions are analyzed for wind power plants generated by 2.5-, 3.3-, and 4.5-MW wind turbine generators. Results show a high potential for energy production in Mukdahan province, with a 2.5-MW wind turbine generating 62,315 MWh/year for a very small power producer (VSPP) wind power plant. Under the small power producer (SPP) condition, a plant could produce 68,454 MWh/year along with 16% of capacity factors. Eventually, the CO 2 emission gases are reduced by approximately 4915 tons of CO 2 emission/year for the VSPP plant, while the SPP plant could reduce them by 24,575 tons of CO 2 emission/year.