Analysis of wind energy potential to set up wind power plants in Kurdistan province using the Wiebull distribution model

Wind energy is an important energy source on earth that can be converted to electricity. The wind energy compared to fossil fuels is widely used because of its availability, stability, reducing air pollution and for economic reasons. The aim of this study is to analysize wind energy potential using the Wiebull distribution and the data recorded in synoptic and climatologically stations. The Windographer software is used for calculations.
In this study, hourly wind speed and direction data for 2005 to 2007 in 7 stations (6 synoptic and 1 climatology stations) were investigated and Wiebull distribution function fitted to data. Then, corresponding plots including wind rose, wind speed, and wind power curve were provided, and finally wind energy density was estimated. Moreover, the zoning map of wind potential density (WPD) for the study area was drawn.
Wind power density was 745 watts per square meter at Hzarkanian station on 50meters height from ground surface, which has been placed in category 6 of American Atlas Table for wind energy. Such region is considered to be windy and wind park. Bijar station in the east of Kurdistan and Zarineh station in the north of Kurdistan, with 301 and 200 watt per square meters wind power density, respectively, ranked in the next place. Other stations had low mean wind speed and power energy lower than 200 watt per square meters. Based on international standards, such places are considered as regions with low wind and inappropriate for installation of wind turbines to extract electricity.