The impact of time series length and temporal resolution on wind resource assessment: a comparative analysis of wind speed distributions

In the quest for accurate wind resource assessment crucial for the expansion of wind farms, this study tackles the scientific question of how varying time series lengths and temporal resolutions impact the estimation of wind resources, and introduce uncertainty into the assessment process. Recognizing the significant importance of considering temporal variability in wind speed distribution, we utilize in-situ observations from weather stations provided by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, analyzing 1-hourly data spanning one to ten years. The study employs a comparative analysis of various wind speed distributions to determine the best-fit distribution for estimating wind resources. This process involves assessing the goodness-of-fit for each distribution under different time series lengths. Additionally, the study investigates the impact of temporal resolutions by examining data collected at 10-minute, hourly, daily, and monthly intervals from the same period and stations. The overarching goal is to systematically quantify uncertainty in wind resource estimation arising from the selection of wind speed distribution based on varying lengths and resolutions of time series data. The outcomes of this research aim not only to enhance the precision of wind resource assessments in the wind power sector but also to provide valuable insights applicable to fields influenced by wind conditions, including risk management and construction design. This study is financed by the Equinor academia project.