Wind energy potential in Liguria region

In this work, the aim is to assess the current wind energy potential in the Liguria region, Italy, by the application of well assessed methodologies that are recalled within the paper. Data for a monitored period up to six and half years from 25 stations distributed over the four provinces of Liguria (i.e., La Spezia, Genoa, Savona and Imperia) have been analyzed. From the data obtained on the 25 stations, only 4 of them seem to be eligible for energy production, but, due to other constraints such as environmental protected areas, only one of them seems the only one where the wind potential - which has been quite stable in the years - can be effectively exploited. However, as usual in these cases, also due to the complex orography of Liguria region, a monitoring campaign on the field should be additionally performed on the site. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.