AWS Truepower, LLC, has released their quarterly analytical Wind Trends Bulletins for Europe, India and North America. Each report independently reviews wind resource performance based on AWS Truepower’s long-term simulated wind resource data set. Second quarter key findings indicate that there were ups and downs as wind speeds varied throughout these regions.
• India: A delayed start to the 2012 summer monsoon resulted in large wind speed anomalies across the country. Some key wind producing states, such as Rajasthan, experienced winds well above normal, while others, such as Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, saw below-normal winds.
• Europe: Western Europe experienced above-average wind speeds during the second quarter, while below-average wind speeds were observed throughout Eastern Europe, Great Britain, and Iceland.
• North America: A persistent ridge of high pressure over the central and eastern United States brought record temperatures and substantial deviations from normal wind speeds. The northern Great Plains and Rocky Mountains saw wind speeds that were higher than average for the second quarter in a row, while the Appalachians experienced below-average winds.
“Although deviations in wind resource are to be expected, a strategy to mitigate the risk of major portfolio underperformance is important to hedging against the variability of wind,” stated Michael Brower, Chief Technical Officer . “When assessing a portfolio of projects for development, investment or acquisition, it is essential to have a holistic view of the portfolio to ensure quarterly cash flow is reliable.”
AWS Truepower assesses portfolios of pre- and post-construction assets that take into consideration long-term and annual fluctuations in wind resource to gauge portfolio risk.
The Wind Trends Bulletin provides wind plant owners, investors and operators with a high-level analysis of wind resource performance influenced by climatic fluctuations. This aids in identifying potential issues with wind plant underperformance.
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Press release, September 25, 2012; Image: AWS Truepower