Abstract
The use of numerical models as a tool for evaluating wind resources has increased in recent years. In this study, an evaluation of the performance of the models BRAMS and WRF was carried out as an initial step on the investigation of wind sites in the state of Paraiba-Brazil. Simulations over a three-year period suggest that the more intense winds are located at the central regions of the state and that they tend to be higher in the spring, in comparison with the other seasons. Scenarios were also generated for March and September, that are, respectively, among the months of lowest and highest wind intensity in the state. For those scenarios the Bias ranged from -0.31 to -2.24 m/s and the MSE from 0.88 to 2.40 m/s for BRAMS. For WRF, the Bias was 0.53 to 1.81 m/s and MSE was 0.79 to 1.92 m/s. The lowest Bias and MSE were obtained for the locations analyzed in Borborema for March (BRAMS) and in the Agreste for September (WRF). Those results suggest that the models need further calibration for better simulating the local wind, especially with respect to boundary layer and surface parameterizations. In general, the results show the coherence of the models in terms of intensification/weakening of the winds according to the seasonal characteristics of the study area.
Keywords:
wind power; mesoescale models
