Assessment of the wind energy resource in the South Banat region, Serbia

The wind energy resources in the South Banat region are analyzed. The analyses have been carried out on the basis of the wind parameter measurements at the site of village Bavaniste. The data were collected at the heights of 10, 40, 50, and 60m during 2009 and 2010. The statistical analyses of the measured data covered the wind speed and direction, average wind speed and power density, and Weibull distribution parameters (c and k). On the basis of the determined standard deviation of the wind speed, an analysis is performed of the wind turbulence at the measurement site. Based on the method of sum of least squares, a mathematical method for estimation of the vertical wind speed profile has been developed. By applying this model, an analysis of the vertical wind speed profile at the measurement site has been performed. On the basis of the available measurement data, the electrical energy production in the targeted region by three test models of the wind turbines has been estimated. The obtained results show that the region of South Banat possesses good wind energy potential and that it represents a promising region for development of the projects of wind farms. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.