Advancing Wind Farm Pre-Feasibility Studies using Sentinel Data for Criterion Development and Site Selection

The world has committed to a shift towards renewable energy as an alternative for conventional energy sources. However, the end goal of this shift is not being fully and efficiently utilised due to multiple reasons. In the case of adopting cost effective and efficient wind energy plant initiatives, the hindrance factors include high site assessment and development costs namely: Terrain Survey Costs, Wind resource screening, Grid availability etc. The aforementioned challenges are typically navigated during pre-feasibility studies for site selection. The conventional procedure involved in mapping suitable area is quite laborious, time consuming and an expensive process. However, the process is simplified through remote sensing technology. The satellite images with variable spatial and temporal resolution of Earth surface, serve useful in providing larger scale view of the Earth depicting terrain features. Further applying algorithms for determining elevation, topography, wind speed and direction simplifies the process of wind farm site location of the selected region. The article demonstrates the process of selecting the wind farm installation site by processing Sentinel-1 and 2 A images. Six case studies from existing Wind farms have been carried out using Sentinel images to determine a base criterion for suitable site selection in the target regions of Central Africa and Maldives.