Resource Assessment
All sites are not created equal, and the Georgian Windpower Corporation resource assessment program is designed to quickly identify the potential of a specific site for economic generation of wind power energy. The elements considered in a resource assessment are:
-> Meso-mapping
-> Long term wind data review
-> Wind Atlas review
-> Environmental Services measurements
-> Physical topology review
-> Surface roughness and prevailing wind patterns
-> Correlation of theoretical wind mapping and actual meteorological data
-> Upper and Lower bounds analyses
-> Probability analyses
Once a site is deemed suitable for further investigation on-site wind measurements are taken using industry standard wind measuring systems. Wind measurements are initially taken at 10m heights, and then expanded to 30m heights and 60m heights for projects that are in the pre-commercialization stage. Measurements may be taken at heights above 60m as may be necessary to confirm wind regimes at hub heights beyond 60m. In todayês wind regimes towers are reaching up to 80m, 90m and 100m to capture the stronger wind energy. Alternate technologies are available to measure wind speeds and directions at heights above 100m, such as the SODAR technology that is applied in conjunction with the time established meteorological tower measurements.