Abstract

Using a 30year (1976-2005) daily high-resolution reanalysis wind field dataset assimilated from several meteorological data sources, the wind speed and power characteristics of the South China Sea (SCS) were investigated using the Weibull shape and scale parameters. The region in general showed good wind characteristics. This is shown by high annual mean wind speed and power density values which are 5.93 m/s and 273.84 W/m² respectively.  The calculated annual mean wind power resource attributes the region to a relatively high potential site for large- scale grid connected wind turbine applications. The wind power ranged between 96.27 W/m² in May and 527.03 W/m² in December. Furthermore, spatio-temporal variations showed that strong trends in wind power exist in Luzon strait in the northern SCS and Xisha, Zhongsha, Luzon, Liyue bank in the central SCS which are evaluated as high wind potential regions and may be rated as locations excellent for installation of large wind turbines for electrical energy generation. Non-significant and negative trends dominate the southern SCS and may therefore, be suitable for small wind applications. The wind power density exhibited a significant increasing trend of 1.4 W/m² yr^-1 in the SCS as a whole throughout the study period. The trend is strongest (2.8 W/m² yr^-1) in winter.

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