Projected changes in wind energy potentials over Iberia

Wind energy potential in Iberia is assessed for recent-past (1961-2000) and future (2041-2070) climates. For recent-past, a COSMO-CLM simulation driven by ERA-40 is used. COSMO-CLM simulations driven by ECHAM5 following the A1B scenario are used for future projections. A 2 MW rated power wind turbin...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Santos, J. A., Rochinha, C., Liberato, M. L. R., Reyers, M., Pinto, J. G.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD 2015
Subjects:
Online Access:https://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/40712/
Description
Summary:Wind energy potential in Iberia is assessed for recent-past (1961-2000) and future (2041-2070) climates. For recent-past, a COSMO-CLM simulation driven by ERA-40 is used. COSMO-CLM simulations driven by ECHAM5 following the A1B scenario are used for future projections. A 2 MW rated power wind turbine is selected. Mean potentials, inter-annual variability and irregularity are discussed on annual/seasonal scales and on a grid resolution of 20 km. For detailed regional assessments eight target sites are considered. For recent-past conditions, the highest daily mean potentials are found in winter over northern and eastern Iberia, particularly on high-elevation or coastal regions. In northwestern Iberia, daily potentials frequently reach maximum wind energy output (50 MWh day(-1)), particularly in winter. Southern Andalucia reveals high potentials throughout the year, whereas the Ebro valley and central-western coast show high potentials in summer. The irregularity in annual potentials is moderate (<15% of mean output), but exacerbated in winter (40%). Climate change projections show significant decreases over most of Iberia (<2 MWh day(-1)). The strong enhancement of autumn potentials in Southern Andalucia is noteworthy (>2 MWh day(-1)). The northward displacement of North Atlantic westerly winds (autumn-spring) and the strengthening of easterly flows (summer) are key drivers of future projections. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.