An Analysis of Wind Resources and the Feasibility of Wind-energy Generation on the Connecticut College Campus

........................................................................................................................................ 4 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 5 Background: The GEC Study ............................................................................................ 6 The Current Study: Detailed Hypotheses .......................................................................... 9 Wind-Analysis Methodology ..................................................................................................... 15 Data Collection ................................................................................................................ 15 Mast Locations ..................................................................................................... 16 Mast Setup and Instrumentation .......................................................................... 21 Data Assessment .............................................................................................................. 22 Quality-Control Screening ................................................................................... 22 Assessing for Long-Term Representativeness ..................................................... 23 Calculating Derived Values ............................................................................................. 27 Extrapolating Wind Speed at Hub Height ........................................................... 27 Expressing Mean Wind Speed ............................................................................. 33 Determining the Wind-Speed Frequency Distribution ........................................ 34 Calculating the Air Density ................................................................................. 39 Determining the Wind’s Power and Energy Densities ........................................ 40 Estimating Wind Turbine Annual Energy Output ............................................... 42 Assessing the Turbulence Area and Intensity ...................................................... 43 Presenting the Wind Direction Data .................................................................... 45 Uncertainty Analysis ........................................................................................................ 46