Wind monitoring on the island of Gozo

Abstract

This research article reports salient wind characteristics resulting from field work carried out on one of the islands in the Maltese archipelago. Wind data gathered at Kerċem on the island of Gozo was processed using two analytical methods and the results were compared in order to present an indicative snapshot of this location’s wind conditions. The average wind speeds at 10 metres and 18 metres above ground level were 4.92 m/s (average power density of 143 W/m2) and 5.90 m/s (average power density of 244 W/m2) respectively for a 30 calendar month time frame. Records indicated a predominant wind blowing from the West North West (between 285° and 315°) that was independent of the period of the year. Seasonal and diurnal variations were also assessed in order to provide a basis for wind turbine energy production estimates. These findings should throw more light on site-specific wind conditions on this small central Mediterranean island.