Scope for Decentralized Wind Energy Applications in Uttara Kannada, Karnataka State, India

Abstract

Wind is one of the promising renewable sources with a potential as viable alternative to fast depleting fossil fuels sources. Windmills have been used for centuries to grind grain and pump water in rural areas. It has the advantage of being harnessed on a local basis for applications in rural areas and remote areas. Water pumping for agriculture and plantations is probably the most important application with decentralized electricity generation that contributes to the rural development through multiple cropping. Wind resource assessment is the primary step towards understanding the local wind dynamics and to evaluate available potential of a region. Climatic average datasets of meteorological variables containing wind speed data for the period of 1961~1990 compiled from different sources were used for the potential assessment of wind speed in Uttara Kannada district. These were validated with the ground data of meteorological observatories at Karwar, Honnavar and Shirali obtained from the Indian Meteorological Department, Government of India, Pune. Analysis showed the seasonal variation of wind speed in the region. Wind speed varies from 1.9 m/s (6.84 km/hr.) to 3.93 m/s (14.15 km/hr.) throughout the year with minimum in October and maximum in June and July (Monsoons). District experiences annual average wind speed of 2.5 m/s to 3.0 m/s in all taluks indicating the prospects for Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) installation. Decentralized electricity generation from WECS and hybridizing wind energy systems with other locally available resources (solar, bioenergy etc.) would assure the reliable energy supply to meet the energy demand of the respective regions.