Analysis of Wind Speed Data for Determining Wind Energy Potential in Billings, MT and Huron, SD By Keaton Belli EAS 4803

Questions How suited is the US for wind energy? How constant are the winds in the US? Are there any long term cycles in wind speed? How do these cycles affect wind energy output? Let’s find out…

Data

Autospectral Analysis

Butterworth Filter of Billings, MT

Butterworth Filter of Huron, SD

Powercurve for GE900

Closer Look at 1yr Periodicity of Billings, MT

What does this mean?

Results For Yearly Wind Cycle Average power output during a “trough” is about 426kW Average power output with average wind speed over the same time is about 496kW Average power output during a “peak” is about 572kW Δlow = -70kW Δhigh = 76kW Not a large difference in power output for a yearly wind cycle Inconclusive for a 5 year periodicity due to amount of data and filtering