Coastal wind speed modelling for wind energy applications

Given the present interest in siting of turbines in the near-coastal offshore zone, an examination of methods of predicting wind speeds in this area is undertaken. The underlying model is based on 900 mb wind speeds which has given reasonable results in offshore areas and has the advantage of limited data input. Two approaches are employed, one empirical and the second based on internal boundary layer theory. Mean wind speeds at two near-coastal land sites are predicted with reasonable accuracy but the same results are not achieved for directional wind speeds. It is shown that the use of internal boundary layer theory gives a zone of coastal wind speed modification which is too narrow, while too large a distance is required for the re-adjustment using the empirical approach.