Stephen Norman, the Met Office’s Senior Wind Energy Consultant, examines recent developments in wind data and assessment, and speaks to PES about how data can be used to a far greater effect on wind energy investments.
As the popularity of renewable energy solutions continues to soar worldwide, there are ever increasing numbers of farmers and landowners looking to ‘green’ energy to enhance their income and make their land work harder and more efficiently for them.
Boosted by the dramatic developments in renewable wind energy over recent years, many European countries are already making the most of this natural resource. Figures from the European Wind Energy Association show that the top wind producing countries are Germany, Spain, Italy, France and the UK, with a total of over 86,000kw being produced across Europe. We are expecting many other countries to follow suit, now that such advancements have been made in pinpointing the windiest regions.
This is further advanced thanks to the varying incentives available globally, notably in Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands and the UK, for both large offshore wind developments and onshore wind farms of varying sizes, leading to a host of opportunities within the wind energy industry. In order for developers, farmers and landowners to take advantage of these incentives it is imperative they have the most up to date and accurate information at their fingertips – to ensure they can make the right decision quickly.
Making the correct choice is crucial. Research* shows that at least half of the UK’s wind farms are operating at less than 25 per cent capacity, often due to a lack of wind speed as a result of poor planning in relation to the site and its climatology, and this is a pattern we could see repeated worldwide. With the current economic climate, it has never been more important to be entirely confident that your wind project will be profitable.
