Evaluation of Wind Energy Potential in Rayong Province, Thailand by WAsP Program

Abstract

Over the past decades, Wind energy is one of the alternative energy or renewable sources, which has been harvested to produce electricity. Our research aims to study the wind potential of the areas in the Rayong provinces of Thailand. Data from meteorological stations were collected every 10 minutes for of 3 years (2017-2019), with a measuring tower at 10-meter height above ground level (AGL). The annual average wind speeds were investigated in Rayong (2.02 m/s) with Weibull Probability Distribution Function (PDF). The annual average power density in Rayong regions was 13 W/m2. In all locations, wind direction was detected mainly from Southwest (SSW) and the yearly maximum wind power capacity is 94.376 MWh. The capacity factor of 21.5 % was noticed. With relatively low wind speed was noticed in Rayong provinces of Thailand, a small wind turbine installed at 30 meters would be recommended as a cost-effective way to convert wind power to electricity.