Results and Verification of a Regional Wind Energy Resource Survey

This paper presents the results of a survey which estimates the practical wind energy resource for the Tayside Region of Scotland. The findings of a subsequent verification study into these results are also presented. The wind energy survey considered the technical, environmental and legislative factors relevant to wind energy development. Due consideration was also given to National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG 6): Renewable Energy issued by the Scottish Office Environment Department, in addition to the policies of the planning authorities within Tayside with regards to such matters as development in National Scenic Areas and other designated areas. Wind speed data for the survey was obtained from the Energy Technology Support Unit (ETSU) UK Wind Speed Data Package. To verify the wind speeds obtained from the ETSU package a representative sample of sites in Tayside were modelled for mean annual wind speed using the Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program (WASP). The wind speeds for the sites obtained from the WASP analysis were compared with those obtained from the ETSU UK Wind Speed Data Package and conclusions drawn as to the reliability of the Tayside Wind Energy Survey and the general applicability of the ETSU package for broad wind energy resource assessment.