Identification of reliable locations for wind power generation through a global analysis of wind droughts

This study investigates the global distribution and trends of wind droughts, defined as prolonged periods of low wind speeds, to identify reliable locations for wind power generation. Using weather reanalysis data (ERA5), the authors analyzed wind droughts from 1979 to 2022 using an energy deficit metric that integrates drought depth and duration. High-power density regions with low seasonal and weather variability were identified, including the American Midwest, Australia, the Sahara, Argentina, Central Asia, and Southern Africa. Northwestern Europe, while having high power densities, experiences more frequent and prolonged wind droughts due to higher weather variability. The analysis found little evidence for strong trends in wind droughts over recent decades, suggesting that historical weather data can be valuable for designing reliable wind-reliant electricity systems.

Enrico G. A. Antonini, Edgar Virgüez, Sara Ashfaq, Lei Duan, Tyler H. Ruggles, Ken Caldeira