Assessment of wind power potential for two contrasting coastlines of South Africa using a numerical model
At two-dimensional numerical model is used to predict near surface wind velocities, and consequently wind power, for five distinct synoptic regines for contrasting east and west coasts of South Africa. The model results suggest that no one solution for optimizing a wid generatot location would safisfy both coastlines owing to their differing characteristics. On the east coast, the most favorable location is approximately 55 km inland on the high-lying terrain, whereas on the west coast the best location is generally about 10 km offshore. The application of the two-dimesional form of a primitive equation model in areas where the topography and the coastline are in accordance with model constraints is shown to provide a useful framework for measurements and analysis of the potential wind power of a such a region.
- Research Organization:
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
- OSTI ID:
- 5707442
- Journal Information:
- J. Appl. Meteorol.; (United States), Vol. 23:12
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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