The design and layout of a site can play an important part in ensuring that the resource is utilised to its full potential. It is particularly important with wind power as maximising wind capture can make significant gains on overall power generation. Windturbines typically generate electricity between wind speeds of about force x and force y. A preliminary assessment of the mean wind speed of a site can be made using computer software and existing databases.
Having established that the resource is likely to be sufficient an anemometry mast is erected and wind speeds and directions determined. This information is then used in conjunction with Ordnance Survey landform contour information, together with on site observations, to design a site layout such that wind capture is maximised while impact on the local area and the people who live there is kept to a minimum.
