Wind power as a renewable energy source

Abstract

The work presents a description of wind speed and direction in terms of using wind power as a renewable energy source. The wind power in Poland and at the Zawady EF was characterised. Observations were collected from 2002 to 2006 by an automatic meteorological station installed at the Zawady Experimental Farm (EF). Average monthly and yearly frequencies of winds blowing from individual directions were determined, and the average monthly wind speed was analysed. The most frequently recorded wind speed ranged from 2 to 4 m/s (light wind), and the least frequent winds blew at the speed of more than 10 m/s (strong wind). The cold season of the year saw winds blowing at the greatest speed (December, January and February), it being the lightest in the summer months (June, July and August). Wind rose analysis (2002-2006) revealed that at Zawady Experimental Farm, the westerly wind was the most frequent. A wind turbine has a limited capacity of wind power use, so only a small portion of energy supplied by wind may be converted into usable energy.