Weather research & forecasting model and MERRA-2 data for wind energy evaluation at different altitudes in Bolivia

Abstract

Wind energy is one of the most promising alternatives for a clean and ecological electricity generation. However, the implementation of efficient wind farms requires accurate data and measurements. This work analyses the MERRA-2 satellite datasets to compare and complement it with WRF simulations in different regions and altitudes in Bolivia, such as the Altiplano, Amazon and Chaco. A 41 years of hourly wind speed from MERRA-2 was used to analyze wind averages and characteristics over the year. WRF simulations for representative months were used to analyze wind shear and wind flows along Bolivia. The main results are related to wind speed index in different sites which varied between 0.90 and 1.09 and the periods of high wind speeds that is May—October in the Altiplano, and June—December in the Amazon and Chaco. However, the main findings are the differences between MERRA-2 data and WRF simulations that is linked to the topography of the sites in study.