Journal of Energy Bioscience 2012, Vol.3, No.1, 1-12
3
and NASA-SSE along with terrain specific surface
features (Khan et al., 2004). Wind energy potential of
the Saharan desert in Algeria was assessed based on
NASA-SSE data and prospected to power a wind
based desalination plant to support agriculture in the
arid region (Mahmoudi et al., 2009). The application
of NASA-SSE data for wind power prospecting in two
islands of Fiji was also demonstrated (Kumar and
Prasad, 2010). These studies substantiate the
advantage and increasing interest in synthesized data
for regional wind resource assessment.
The present study explores wind resource potential in
Himachal Pradesh, a federal Indian state in Western
Himalayas based on synthesised wind data, validated
with surface measurements. Seasonal wind profiles
showing spatial variation of wind speeds are developed
using geospatial techniques. The discussion includes the
scope for deploying small-scale wind applications
suitable for meeting the local energy requirements.
2
Study areas
2.1
Landscape and climate
Himachal Pradesh is located between 30.38°~33.21°
North latitudes and 75.77°~79.07° East longitudes,
covering a geographical area of 55 673 km
2
with 12
districts (Government of Himachal Pradesh,
planning.nic.in/statistics&data.htm). It has a complex
terrain with elevation ranging from ~300 to 6 700 m
as shown by the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) in
Figure 1. Topography, climate, soil and vegetation
clearly define the agro-climatic zones in the state.
Parts of Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Solan and
Sirmaur districts lower than 1 000 m above mean sea
level represent the tropical zone. Certain segments of
Solan, Sirmaur, Mandi, Chamba and Shimla districts
located between 1 000~3 500 m have climate conditions
varying from sub-tropical to wet-temperate. Lahaul
Spiti, Kullu, Kinnaur and some parts of Shimla
districts ranging between 3 500~6 700 m are part of
the high elevation dry temperate, sub-alpine and
alpine zones with sparse vegetation and rainfall.
2.2
Energy and environment
The hill state of Himachal Pradesh represents one of
the rich biodiversity zones adversely impacted by
unplanned development. Field investigations reveal
substantially high energy requirement due to the colder
climatic conditions, particularly in high elevation zone
(
>3 500 m). People are largely dependent on forests
(
fuelwood) for meeting their heating (room and water) and
cooking demands, although vegetation cover is sparse in
high elevation zone (Ramachandra et al., 2012). This has
resulted in decline of vegetation cover, fragmentation of
forests and associated ecological imbalance in an
ecologically fragile region such as the Himalayas. In
recent times, there has been increase in fossil-fuel based
energy consumption, with resultant pollution and glacial
melting (Aggarwal and Chandel, 2010). This necessitates
exploration of clean renewable energy as decentralised
sources. Even so, marginality and negligence of these
mountain regions in the past have led to scarcity of reliable
data which hinders efficient resource assessment and
planning (Bhagat et al., 2006).
Figure 1 Digital elevation model (DEM) of Himachal Pradesh
3
Data, models and methods
3.1
Surface wind measurements
Long term wind characteristics in Himachal Pradesh
were recorded at 13 meteorological stations (Figure 2)
of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Table 1 lists the IMD stations and periods of wind
measurement exercises. Wind speed measurement
heights varied from 1.7 m (Dalhousie), 5 m (Manali),
7
m (Dharmshala), 9.7 m (Bilaspur) to 26 m (Kyelong)
and 26.5 m (Shimla).
Out of 13, IMD provided surface wind data for 10
stations (Bilaspur, Sundernagar, Nahan, Chamba,
Bhuntar, Dharmshala, Dalhousie, Manali, Simla CPRI
