Synergetic use of multiple scatterometers for offshore wind energy potential assessment

Abstract The synergetic offshore wind dataset derived from a combination of scatterometers (QuikSCAT, OSCAT and ASCAT-A, B) have been utilised and validated with available buoy data. It is observed that, the mean deviation in wind speed between the co-located buoy and synergetic scatterometer data is small of the order 2% and the power density showed a difference of 2.5%. The combined synergetic maps of wind speed, wind power density and practical power production from two offshore wind turbines V112 3M and G128 5M have been analysed and evaluated on a seasonal and annual basis. Further, considering the available area after exclusions, conflict regions due to shipping, visual and avian exclusions, India has a net power production of 364 GW (3190 TWh/yr) for V112 3M and 516 GW (4522 TWh/yr) for G128 5M turbines at 80 m hub height. This would reduce overall carbon emissions of 3117 and 4418 million tons respectively per year. Finally, the Levelised cost of energy is computed for two optimum sites in shallow waters off Gujarat and Tamil Nadu coasts and found to be lowest of around 106.87 €/MWh in Tamil Nadu site, suggesting an optimum site for wind farm development.