Statistical analysis of wind energy in Chile

Bearing in mind the current and pressing need for an update of the existing Chilean power supply system which has been remarkably influenced by new requirements the search for new energy supply sources has become a top priority. The wind resource, vis-A-vis its associated mature technology features and its apparent availability throughout Chile, comes forward as a feasible option likely to play a more important role in any future national energy generation matrix. With a view to understanding the local wind resource, this document surveys a sample set of wind profiles available in the northern Chile area, thus becoming the first public survey of this kind. It also tackles theoretical energy production and capacity factors. Those became the basis of the wind modelling we undertook for Chile's participation in COP15. This paper shows wind generation is a suitable option for curbing down Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) in Chile. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.