Analysis of wind power generation potential and wind turbine installation economics: A correlation-based approach

Abstract

Wind energy production is rapidly expanding worldwide, yet studies on wind energy potential in India remain limited. This study evaluates the wind power potential and conducts an economic cost analysis of wind turbine generator installations at varying hub heights (10m to 150 m) across 21 locations in India, representing a novel contribution to the field. The selected locations include 11 sites in Gujarat (Location-1), 10 sites in Tamil Nadu (Location-2), and one site in Ravangla, Sikkim (Location-3). Cubic factors methods are implemented to estimate Weibull parameters. Results reveal that at 150 m hub height, wind power density ranges from 123.17 to 308.86 W/m² in Gujarat, 80.64 to 427.12 W/m² in Tamil Nadu, and 183.24 W/m² in Sikkim. Kaluneerkulam in Tamil Nadu demonstrates excellent wind category potential, with energy costs ranging from $0.0165 to $0.0076 per kWh, decreasing as hub height increases. Sites across all three locations exhibit moderate to steady wind speeds, making them suitable for wind energy exploitation. An economic analysis of nine wind turbine types shows that Tamil Nadu achieves the lowest energy cost variation, followed by Gujarat and Sikkim. This study provides valuable insights for optimizing wind energy utilization in India.