Evaluation of projected decadal wind energy potential in Chiang Mai

Abstract

One of the alternative energy sources which have globally pay more attention is wind power. In this research, the Weibull wind speed distribution was applied to evaluate wind energy potential during the period of 2081-2090. The projected wind datasets in this study were simulated by the Non hydrostatic Regional Climate Model (NHRCM). The boundary condition was the 20 km resolution MRI Atmospheric General Circulation Model (AGCM20) under the RCP8.5 scenario. The surface wind datasets in Chiang Mai were analyzed to 3-time intervals, i.e., May-August, September-December and January-April. Two averaged Weibull distribution parameters, i.e., k, shape parameter, and c, scale parameter were determined. The shape and scale parameters fluctuated 1.15 to 1.34 and 0.38 m/s to 0.74 m/s, respectively. It was found that the surface mean wind speed from May through August was stronger than from September through December.