The close to 10,000 mw wind power generators in India would have been producing 10% to 15% more electricity than the present plant load factor (PLF) of 14% to 20% of the installed capacity, had they been located accurately to maximise the utilisation of wind and power generation.
IT Power India Pvt Ltd (ITPI), the Indian outfit of the UK-based IT Power Ltd, is bringing to India the technology of the US-based 3Tier Group, which has recently unveiled a 5 km resolution global wind map ?based upon the most accurate, consistent and comprehensive dataset of wind resources and their spatial and temporal variability ever created.??
Based on this technology, ITPI is planning to develop 250 mw windframs in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. ?The distinctive feature of these windfarms would be that they will be using the latest world-class technology to locate the wind turbine, assess the wind availability, forecast the energy generation based on analysis of 30-year weather data, minimise the risk factor and attract funding from local banks and multilateral lending agencies,?? Ken Clarke, general manager, emerging business, ITPI, told FE.
He said ITPI would offer latest technologies for micro-siting, wind speed assessment and weather data analysis for wind farm developers to obtain maximum power generation throughout the entire 20-year life span of a wind turbine. Using satellite and a super computer, IT Power would provide the most accurate and long time data modelling that gives mean averages taken over 30 years at various heights of turbines.
?It can site a wind turbine accurately from the office. This technology is new to India and IT Power is able to offer land, ground and site analysis that can maximise wind turbine placement and energy to wind ratio of 35%, instead of the present 14% to 20%. IT Power has partnership agreement with 3Tier,?? he said.
Incorporated in 1999, 3Tier is an energy efficiency company, which provides the core data and knowledge for clients to make the best decisions regarding their investment in a renewable energy generation technology.
In India, 3Tier technology has been applied to study the long-term variability of the wind resources of Kerala, with a retrospective analysis of the past 25 years (January 1983 to December 2007).
IT Power is a leading international energy consultancy which specialises in sustainable energy technologies and policy, and related economic, financial, commercial and environmental work. The company has considerable experience of the technological and practical issues associated with renewable energy development, carbon emission reduction and rural electrification projects.
Since its formation 27 years ago, IT Power has completed over 1000 projects in more than 100 countries.
Ken said with the 3Tier technology, ITPI could stop the fiscal and energy losses endured by wind farm owners because of poor placement choices.
Because of inaccurate siting, many wind turbines in operation now in the country were producing much less power than their rated capacities, he said.
Since most operators use only 2-year historical data, the wind turbine generating factor declines even to 6% to nil after a few years, he said.
?We use sophisticated computer modelling systems, in-house expertise and reliable delivery mechanisms to forecast both the short-term intermittency and the long-term availability of renewable energy. The company provides utility-scale, scientifically based assessment and forecast products and services to its clients,?? Ken added.
Of the proposed 250 mw ITPI wind farms, 50 mw would be in Karnataka and the rest in Tamil Nadu. The Karnataka wind farm, to be developed by a local group would be funded by USAID and IFC, he said.
In Tamil Nadu wind farms would be developed in partnership with a major wind turbine manufacturer. In the first phase a 50 mw farm would be developed. Others would follow, he added.
?We offer turnkey packages from project prospecting to operation, resource assessment, energy forecasting, finding finance to carbon credits under the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol,?? Ken said.
?Model simulations provide a comprehensive view of the wind resource, and energy forecasting improves operational efficiencies. All these together improve risk hedging for wind energy projects,?? he said.
