Estimation of Wind Energy in Synoptic Station of Isfahan Province

In this study, the mean monthly wind speed and wind energy potential for 11 synoptic stations in Isfahan province have been calculated and analyzed on the basis of hourly wind speed data over the climatic period of 1992-2005. Mean monthly wind power has been estimated by fitting hybrid Weibull and inverse Gaussian distributions to hourly wind speed data and also by using direct method. The results showed that the wind speed during the cold months (November, December and January) is lower than the other months. With regard to the onset of early spring (April), the wind speed increases gradually over the area and decreasing trend starts in September. Estimated wind energy for selected stations showed that during the period of low wind speed, the wind power density has declined to below 60 w/m2. The Wind energy power increases due to the increase of wind speed with the onset of February to the point that it amounts to 60 w/m2 in Ardestan, Naien, Kabootarabad and to over 140 w/m2 in Shahreza. Wind energy power in association with decreasing of wind speed decreases after April, except in Ardestan. Generally, among the stations in the region, Khorbiabanak, Daran and Natanz are envisaged with low wind speed and wind energy. The pattern of monthly wind power in Ardestan is different with respect to the other stations.