Science Centres: Energy

Wind speed on CD

NIWA has produced a CD with wind speed data for the whole of New Zealand.

The data have a number of applications, including the identification of sites that are suitable for wind power generation. They show wind speed at 10 m above the ground and have been derived from records from over 160 climate stations covering the period 1971 to 2000. The data grids are at 500 m resolution.

Climate stations with wind speed data recorded during the period 1971–2000.

The national coverage of the data lends itself to comparison studies, including questions such as: how do wind speeds over a range of hills in Otago compare with those over the Tararuas. Because there are data grids for every month, an analyst can look at the month-to-month variations in wind speed at any site. This can be of particular importance for a project where wind energy is sought to offset the seasonality of hydropower generation.

The estimated accuracy of the data is ± 1 m/s for most of the country and ± 2 m/s for high altitude areas where climate stations are few and far between.

The cost of the CD is $4950 + GST.

For further information, contact:
Dr Andrew Tait
+64 4 386 0562
a.tait@niwa.co.nz