Like most renewable energies, wind energy has its origin in the Sun. This is responsible for producing wind, the energy resource used by this energy source.
But what is the origin of the wind? The answer is that Earth's atmosphere absorbs solar radiation irregularly due to various factors (differences between the marine and continental surface, elevation of the ground, alternation of day and night, cloudiness, etc.) and this irregularity causes air masses with different temperatures and, consequently, pressures.
In turn, the different pressures cause the air to tend to move from high pressure areas to low pressure areas, generating the air movement. That is, the wind.
The choice of location for a wind machine is a determining element for its exploitation, and depends almost entirely on the wind potential of the area along with its environmental impact, although the size of the machine also usually influences the final decision.
He chosen location for a wind installation It must meet two conditions:
• The wind must blow with regularity.
• The wind speed must have a high average value.
Therefore, to choose a suitable location it is necessary to have detailed meteorological information on the structure and distribution of the winds.
Statistical measurements should be carried out for a minimum period such that reliable results can be obtained. reliable values (minimum one year), which once processed allow reliable wind data to be obtained through:
• Wind maps: They provide global information on the average level of winds in a certain geographical area, locating the most suitable areas from an energy point of view.
• Velocity distributions: scale study of a wind map, which provides the number of hours per year in which the wind has a certain direction and speed.
• Speed profiles: variation of wind speed with height above the ground, obtained by a specific study.
