Research Abstracts 1992-1993: Report No. 93-03

Barbour, P.L. and S. N. Walker, "Identification of Long Term Monitoring Sites from the RAWS Data Network," OSU Wind Research Cooperative, WRC Report No. 93-03, June 30, 1993, 86 pp., $21.50

A substantial need exists in the field of wind energy to have wind information from designated long-term reference sites. Long term reference sites can be used to better estimate the wind characteristics and energy potential at nearby sites and to evaluate the impacts of long term variations of the winds. Reference sites, however, are expensive to install and require a commitment of many years. Therefore, the use of existing data sites has several advantages. Sites from the existing Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS) network are examined to identify sites with the potential to be used as long term monitoring sites for wind energy assessment. The RAWS network is managed by agencies of the federal government and consists of over 600 sites that were installed primarily for use in fire weather activities. A screening process is used to eliminate many of the sites with poor winds and to identify those with good wind characteristics. As a result of this screening, the historical records from 23 sites are examined to assess the wind and data characteristics. Eight of these sites are identified as having good potential for use as long term wind monitoring sites. An analysis of the wind records from these eight sites is performed and the results summarized.