Journal of Energy Bioscience 2012, Vol.3, No.1, 1-12
11
understanding of the wind regime in Himachal
Pradesh. Wind technologies could be deployed in the
region only after assessing the detailed wind
characteristics, land availability and socioeconomic
impact. This demands reliable and long term surface
wind measurements at specific locations which are
invariably influenced by the local terrain features.
Wind characteristics like speed, power density,
turbulence intensity and vertical profile variations
influence the design of wind turbines for purposes like
power generation, battery charging, water pumping or
space heating. For example, turbulence intensity (ratio
of standard deviation to average of wind speed) in
Himachal Pradesh, based on IMD surface wind
measurements exceeds 0.1 (Figure 12). These values
are relatively higher (Bourgeois et al., 2012,
energie/pdfs/Ext_abstract_dewek10_SaskiaBourgeois.
pdf) and hence call for appropriate considerations in
wind turbine design. Land availability for small-scale
wind applications may not be a serious constraint.
However, increased hub heights even for small
turbines could be at the cost of the soil strength and land
stability. Also, success of wind technology demands
regular monitoring and sustained maintenance.
Figure 12 Turbulence intensity in Himachal Pradesh based on
surface wind speed measurements
5
Conclusions
This study addresses the increasing need for regional
wind energy resource assessment with focus on
small-scale wind applications so as to meet the
increasing energy demands in a decentralized manner,
particularly in remote areas. Due to sparse and
unreliable surface wind measurements available and
expensive modeling alternatives, proven synthesized
data were scrutinized for suitability in the study region
of Himachal Pradesh. These data procured from
NASA-SSE, NOAA-CIRES and CRU based on
physiographical understanding of the complex
Himalayan terrain were observed to have RMSE of
2.57
m/s, 1.92 m/s and 1.32 m/s on validation with
long term surface measurements. Annual wind
regimes mapped from all these data using geospatial
techniques consistently highlighted the dependence of
wind speeds on elevation gradient and resultant
agroclimatic zones. Wind data from CRU, selected as
the most representative values were re-validated by
correlation with surface measurements in proximity.
Seasonal wind profiles mapped using CRU data were
compared with wind variations in surface
measurements. Wind speeds in the range of 1-3.25 m/s
were seen during Monsoon season (June to August),
0.75-2.25
m/s during post-monsoon and winter
seasons (October to February) and 1.25-3 m/s during
summer and pre-monsoon (March to May). High
elevation zone including Lahual Spiti, Kinnaur, Kullu
and Shimla districts showed wind speeds above 2 m/s
for all seasons and were identified as suitable
candidates for further wind exploration. Certain
small-scale wind applications like low wind speed
Savonius rotor Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT),
agricultural water pumps, wind-solar hybrids,
space/water heaters, battery chargers etc. suitable for
the study region have been discussed, while also
mooting the possible constraints of dissemination.
Employment
generation
through
appropriate
mechanisms mobilizes local people in these efforts.
More importantly, resolute organizational support will
ensure smoother penetration of wind technologies.
Meeting the energy demands through clean resources
like wind envisions a sustainable future for Himachal
Pradesh as well as other regions neglected in the
conventional wind assessment studies.
Acknowledgement
We are grateful to NRDMS, Ministry of Science and Technology,
DST, Government of India and Indian Institute of Science for the
financial and infrastructure support. We thank NASA, NOAA and
