Analysis of low level wind behaviour in Central and South East Malta

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to investigate low level wind behaviour at five locations in the central and South East parts of the Mediterranean island of Malta. The datasets covered a period of 12 months spanning from November 2007 to October 2008. The results showed similar wind speed trends; a feature that may, to a certain extent be attributed to the relative proximity of the locations being studied. The monitoring height and the exposure of the wind measurement sensors were important factors to be kept in mind when comparing wind behavioural characteristics. As expected, the site with the highest instrument cluster exhibited noticeably higher wind speeds than the rest of the locations. The wind monitoring stations were in open, built or semi-built environments and the results generated should be useful to estimate performance characteristics of small wind turbines at similar locations.