The influence of local winds on wind power characteristics in a High Arctic valley

Abstract

Wind power in the High Arctic is under-developed, and understanding of the local wind conditions is needed. Therefore, the average wind characteristics in the Svalbard valley Adventdalen are investigated using primarily observations from wind profilers and weather stations. Low-level jets (LLJs) are frequent in calm synoptic conditions because the LLJs are, to a large degree, driven by local thermal gradients. Moreover, the LLJs increase the wind speed at low levels. The average observational wind profile has a wind speed maximum around the height of 80 to 100 m and the wind power density (WPD) a maximum around 120 to 140 m. This is poorly represented by numerical models and also differs from wind speed profiles from flat locations where the wind speed and WPD typically increase with height. The presence of valley winds is further responsible for a decreased speed variability at low levels, which leads to shortened periods with little persistent wind compared to higher-elevation locations. The wind characteristics in Adventdalen advocate for the consideration of wind power in Arctic valleys.