Energy for Sustainable Development
The Journal of the International
Energy Initiative
© 2007, International Energy Initiative, Inc.
ISSN: 0973-0826
Volume XII, No.2, June 2008, pp. 17-26
Simulation and measurement procedures for
effective isolated wind and hybrid system development in south
Patagonia
Rafael B. Oliva
Abstract
This paper
presents results of experience with simulation and measurement
systems applied to local wind and hybrid (wind-diesel)
isolated systems in south Patagonia, especially in Santa Cruz
and Chubut
provinces (Argentina)
and the XII Region of Magallanes in Chile. Wind resource
evaluation with a network of automatic loggers is discussed.
Performance measurements include an integrated power curve
evaluation system for small wind turbines. Some of the power,
energy (early so-called SISMED systems) and commercial wind
measurement systems have been operating in the region since
1999 or earlier, and their data provides important insight
regarding best practices for sizing criteria in local wind and
climate regimes. The data collected has been of value for
validating simulations using NREL's free HOMER software. The
more recent Small Wind Turbine – Power Curve Evaluation System
(SWT-PCES) addresses the special requirements involved in
power curve measurement for small wind turbines, and has been
deployed for very low-power isolated systems in Chubut
province (Argentina). Data and operational aspects from
systems installed are shown and discussed.
Key-words:
wind power,
hybrid systems, measurements, Patagonia, simulations, HOMER
