• Site selection • The role of topography in wind resource • Transportation issues regarding the site

1. 11
Welcome to the world of wind energy
Site Selection
Dr. D. V. Kanellopoulos
OPWP Renewable Energy
Training Program
11-14 December 2016
Muscat, Oman

2. The role of topography in wind resource
The Danish wind atlas
•Strong winds over open sea, roughness class
CL0
•Deceleration over flat land and forests, roughness
Class CL1
•Acceleration over hills, roughness Class CL2
•Gradual deceleration as we move inland,
roughness Class CL3

3. Wind turbines on the coast, Denmark

4. Wind turbines on costal areas

5. Wind profiles
Topography accelerates and creates turbulence in wind
Laminar
flow
Turbulent
flow

6. Topography induced velocity gradients

7. Topography induced velocity gradients, experimental verification of
profiles
A 20%
increase in
speed
needs 122
m in height
A 20%
increase in
speed needs
32 m in
height only

8. The effects of ridge orientation and shape on wts
site suitability
V(hill) could be =2*V (flat plane)

9. Buildings affecting wind flow
h
7-20 * h
Turbulent region

10. Model simulations and wind tunnel experiments show areas
of turbulent flows

12. Multi MW wts are placed high above the ground or the sea surface

13. Wind flows
affected
by trees

14. Wind farm in a mixed forest-agricultural area

15. Wind farms in forest, tall towers used

16. Question: can
the shape of the
trees tell us
something about
the wind speed
magnitude or the
prevailing wind
direction in the
area?

17. Flagging
Prevailing wind
directions are
more than
evident there!

18. In a case like this one we are almost certain where
are the prevailing winds are coming from.

19. Office work

20. Methodology for site selection for wind farms
Office
work 1st
A particular site might
produce many surprises to a
future investor!
Preparing a trip to the site
requires work in the office
and search for information
regarding the site such as
maps, meteorological data
from stations near by, other
operational wind farms data,
existing wind measurements,
modeling and a 4X4 car!Sitting is exiting!

21. The maps, can be found in paper or digital forms
www.gys.gr
www.road.gr
Scale 1:50.000

22. Maps scaled
1:5.000, great
for preliminary
wind farm
layouts

23. Google maps are useful

26. Andros
Kalivari wind
farm , PPCR
S.A. 7 wts,
225 kW
nominal
power
Identify other wts, measure distances

27. Google Earth, get 3D views!
Fly over
the sites!

28. Google Earth can produce useful cross
section an any direction we like
Height, AGL
Distance
Max slope
Average slope
Slope at any point

29. Search for existing wind resource maps
http://www.cres.gr/kape/datainfo/maps.htm

30. www.minagric.gr
National designated forests, protected
areas from industrial projects
Click on
the
triangles
gives info

31. The site questionnaire
MUST make a note of
the following:
1. Name of location, see map, or use near by local toponym
2. Mark the location on your maps, if using a GPS it will be very
precise and is recommended. Smart phone GPS are a good
approximation. A camera with a GPS is a good means in taking
pictures as well as recoding longitude and latitude.
3. Check if proposed site lies within a restricted zone
Alt!
Military installations

32. The site questionnaire
Mark on your maps traditional settlements and monasteries, sites
that might be of archeological interest and are not on the maps!
Proximity to villages, towns, airstrips
Municipal airports

33. Kos, Greece, take off and landing flight path
Wild life reserve
http://www.hcaa.gr/en/our-airports
The HCAA
issues
permissions
for putting up
masts

34. The site questionnaire, telecommunication and TV towers,
permissions needed!
Is there room
for me too
please?

35. The site questionnaire
And now a subjective question:
Do you consider the site to be an area of outstanding natural beauty?
Will the future wind farm crate a negative visual impact on the area?
Aerial photo of Wind Farm, Tehachapi,
California, CA United States, large number of
small wind turbines.
Moni Toplou, Crete, wind farm
A few big wts

36. Mmmm I found
the perfect site,
V(year)= 9 m/s at
10 m AGL
Quality of access
road, can it take the
heavy loads?
Can it accommodate
the long pieces such
as towers and long
blades?
Is a new road
necessary?
A road survey is necessary
Transportation issues regarding the site

37. Transportation issues regarding the site
A 62 m blade

38. A turbine blade convoy passing through Edenfield in the U.K. (2008).

39. Train, Denver, USA
Accident in France
Specialized equipment
Transport specialists are in demand

40. Transportation issues regarding the site
A hydraulic lifter, which
allows lifting the wind
blade up to approximately
45º.
Doing so it can guarantee
important saving on the
civil works, above all in
mountainous areas where
important earthworks
have to be realized to
reach the wind park.
It has to be used together
with a 5 axle low loader.
The biggest problem is
that in many countries it
couldn’t be used on the
public roads, due to
restriction the maximum
height of the load (around
5 meters).

41. Unique airship with 66-ton payload capacity provides an efficient,
ecological alternative means of component transportation
The future wts transporters, could look like this one!

42. From a main road to a mountainous ridge

43. Access
road
Wind farm
site
Road
widening

44. A simulation rehearsal might be necessary

45. Photomontage of the future site
Make a note of all other activities in the area.
Speak with the locals, they know everything!

46. Make sketches, measure certain distances , mark photos,
mark exact locations of photos with a GPS for accuracy

47. Photos will help identify also the roughness areas needed for future energy calculations as
well as the permitting procedure and the environmental impact assessment studies.

48. Remember to take with me:
•Maps
•GPS, with extra batteries
•Camera, for photos and short
videos, with extra batteries
•Smart phone, could be useful if in
range!
•Compass, a classic saver!
•Pencil and paper
•NEVER go alone anywhere,
topographic engineer is a good
companion and an extra driver if
needed.
•Get the weather report before you
start survey.
•Let someone know where are you
heading just in case.
Hey , I
can help
too