Research Article
Jul 1981
Prospecting for Wind: Windmills and Wind Characteristics
Publication: Transportation Engineering Journal of ASCE
Volume 107, Issue 4
Abstract
Past experience with power generation by windmills indicates that the most important factor controlling success or failure is site wind characteristics. Incorrect placement on a site sheltered by buildings, terrain or agricultural growth may drop performance to one-third of the original expectations. Conversely, the appropriate hill or ridge shape may amplify power available. Site selection procedures, which are the pick and shovel of the modern wind prospector, include statistical climatology, numerical simulation, and physical simulation in meteorological wind tunnels. Laboratory measurements of wind overspeed, streamline patterns, and turbulence changes over idealized topography are compared with frozen vorticity numerical models. Field measurement of wind velocity and direction over the Rakaia Gorge region, Southern Alps, New Zealand, compare favorably with wind tunnel measurement over a 1/5000 scale model.
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Published In
Transportation Engineering Journal of ASCE
Volume 107 • Issue 4 • July 1981
Pages: 413 - 426
Copyright
© 1981 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published in print: Jul 1981
Published online: Feb 5, 2021
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Authors
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Robert N. Meroney, M.ASCE
Prof., Fluid Mechanics and Wind Engrg. Program, Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, Colo. 80523.
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ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.