Assessment of Onshore Wind Energy Resource and Wind-Generated Electricity Potential in Jiangsu, China

The onshore wind energy resource potential in Juangsu province was evaluat ed by annual wind power density and hours of effective wind speed, based on meteorological data from 1979 to 2008. Vestas V80-2.0MW (Megawatt) turbine was chosen as the reference wind turbine and wind-generated power potential was assessed from seasonal wind speed at 80m heights. Further, the Geographic Information System (GIS) software was used to exclude those unsuitable areas for installing wind turbines. Results show that Jiangsu has abundant wind energy resource, which is gradually increasing from the coast to the inland. The annual power production from the wind reaches 146 336 gigawatt-hours (GWh) or so in Jiangsu province, with Yancheng and Nantong along coast being two of the richest.