5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
[MAG32-P07] Variability of wind resources in the Taiwan Strait
The Taiwan Strait has one of the largest resources of offshore wind energy in the world. The Taiwan government actively promotes the development of offshore wind energy and leads Asia in offshore wind energy. Observations of winds in the Taiwan Strait are progressing. Strong winds blow along the strait in winter and create maximum winds within the strait. However, a limited number of studies address the strong winds occurring in the Taiwan Strait from a meteorological perspective. Therefore, in order to more effectively utilize the wind resources of the Taiwan Strait, it is essential to understand the distribution and variability of winds in the strait.
This study uses the atmospheric reanalysis data ERA5 to clarify the distribution and variability of winds in the Taiwan Strait. In particular, we examine interannual variability of wind in winter from the perspectives of mean wind speed and temporal variability. Strong northeasterly winds prevail from October to April and forms wind speed maxima within the Taiwan Strait. We examine the interannual variability of wind speed using three indicators: mean wind speed, 10th percentile wind speed, and 90th percentile wind speed. Although average wind speeds are almost the same in some years, wind variabilities show large differences. The difference amount to about 2 m s-1 in the standard deviation of the wind component along the strait direction. This result suggests that in order to describe the interannual variability, we need to consider the variability in wind as well as mean wind speed.
This study uses the atmospheric reanalysis data ERA5 to clarify the distribution and variability of winds in the Taiwan Strait. In particular, we examine interannual variability of wind in winter from the perspectives of mean wind speed and temporal variability. Strong northeasterly winds prevail from October to April and forms wind speed maxima within the Taiwan Strait. We examine the interannual variability of wind speed using three indicators: mean wind speed, 10th percentile wind speed, and 90th percentile wind speed. Although average wind speeds are almost the same in some years, wind variabilities show large differences. The difference amount to about 2 m s-1 in the standard deviation of the wind component along the strait direction. This result suggests that in order to describe the interannual variability, we need to consider the variability in wind as well as mean wind speed.