Wind Energy Map and Local Area Wind Energy Prediction System (LAWEPS) Updated
(August 3, 2005)
On July 1, 2005, NEDO released updated versions of the Wind Energy Map and the Local Area Wind Energy Prediction System (LAWEPS), both of which were first released in October 2003. Since their introduction, they have earned an excellent reputation among users across Japan.
The Wind Energy Map is a database consisting of a map (Japan is shown at a scale of 500 m) and diagrams that display the results calculated by LAWEPS. The database is made available to provide wind energy information to those who are considering suitable location sites to install wind power generation systems. It can be downloaded by anyone with Internet access from NEDO's Japanese-language Website.
LAWEPS is a simulation model (calculation tool) that forecasts average annual wind velocity using the fluid calculation simulation method. (The model has a margin of error of less than 10% at a scale of 10 m.) It was developed through a NEDO project carried out from FY1999 to FY2002.
NEDO updated the Wind Energy Map and LAWEPS through an entrustment contract with the Japan Weather Association (JWA). Obayashi Corporation also participated in the project through a contact with JWA. The development work started in October 2004 and was completed in six months. The plan for the project was to focus on interface improvements for both systems. Details regarding the resulting improvements are presented below.
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Main Wind Energy Map Improvements
(1) Color display capability was improved to indicate wind velocity at a 0.5m/s pitch instead of a 1m/s pitch, thereby enabling more detailed visibility.
(2) Boundaries were drawn between local communities (cities, towns, villages), making locations clear at the 500 m mesh screen level.
(3) The screen transfer system was altered from the previous one screen view to a half screen view, enabling the user to see the picture from edge to edge.
(4) A function was added to allow direct input of latitude and longitude in order to display the average annual numerical value of wind velocity very precisely (to one decimal place).
(5) Wind velocity data such as secular distortion from the country's main weather bureaus for the past 20 years was added as reference information in order to make it possible to presume and analyze wind energy from various points of view.
- Main Local Area Wind Energy Prediction System (LAWEPS) Improvements
(1) A mode function was added to enable continuous processing of repetitive calculations.
(2) A function was added to enable calculation results to overlap not only with numeric output and the Wind Energy Map, but also easily with the topographical maps prepared or supervised by Japan's Geographical Survey Institute.
(3) A function to calculate results for arbitrary heights (generally 30 m, 50 m and
70 m) was added.
(4) A function to temporarily preserve edited content of land utilization data was added.
- Improvements to Both Wind Energy Map and LAWEPS
(1) Manuals were revised (for items such as execution examples, data format list explanation, correspondence regarding troubleshooting, etc.).
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| Wind Power Stabilization Technology Development Project at the Tomamae Winvilla Power Station in Hokkaido, Japan |
NEDO Contact:
Mr. Ishibashi
New Energy Technology Development Department
Tel: +81-44-520-5270 Fax: +81-44-520-5276 |
