Wind energy potential and wind characteristics for the districts of the Northern Development Region of the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

Starting 2013, Republic of Moldova becomes an e-RES producer. Wind energy is one the most important domestic resources in order to obtain renewable energy. At the beginning of 2024, out of the total 346 MW e-RES capacity installed, 122.52 MW were wind energy. The goal of this work is to calculate the wind characteristics and wind energy potential for the second-level administrative-territorial entities (districts) for the Northen Development Region of Republic of Moldova (NDRRM), which includes eleven districts: Briceni, Donduşeni, Drochia, Edineţ, Fǎleşti, Floreşti, Glodeni, Ocniţa, Riîşcani, Singerei, Soroca. The research utilized the Wind Atlas Method and Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program (WAsP), along with wind parameters measured by State Hydrometeorological Service and the orographic map of the RM. Maps of average annual wind speed and wind power density at a height of 100 meters above ground level (a.g.l) were calculated for each district. Also, the district territory was classified based on power density values, and the theoretical wind power capacity. The calculations made with WAsP for eleven districts, shows that the highest average annual wind speed is in Fǎleşti district with the average annual wind speed at 100 m a.g.l., equal to 7,44m/s and the wind power density is reaching - 404W/m2. At the same time Edineţ district has the lowest average annual wind with the average annual wind speed at 100 m a.g.l. 6,57m/s and 289W/m2 wind power density.