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Alexandre Stegner, Riwal Plougoven, Martial Haeffelin, and Philippe Drobinski

The main goal of this course is to get the necessary knowledge on atmospheric and fluid dynamics in order to quantify the wind resource of a local or regional area.

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The main goal of this course is to get the necessary knowledge on atmospheric and fluid dynamics in order to quantify the wind resource of a local or regional area.

We’ll learn about basic meteorology, the specific dynamics of turbulent boundary layers and some standard techniques to estimate wind resources regardless of the type of turbine used or the level of efficiency achieved. Then, we will see what are the turbines characteristics to consider in order to estimate the electricity production from an isolated turbine or from a turbine farm. The differences and similarity between wind or marine resource assessment will also be discussed.

Finally, you will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience with real in-situ data sets and apply what you have learned on wind resource assessment.

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What's inside

Syllabus

BASICS ON ENERGY
BASIC METEOROLOGY
ATMOSPHERIC AND MARINE BOUNDARY LAYERS
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WIND OR MARINE TURBINES
WIND RESOURCES
DATA ANALYSIS PROJECT – WIND RESOURCE ASSESSMENT

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Taught by instructors known for their work in atmospheric sciences
Develops foundational knowledge and advanced concepts in meteorology and fluid dynamics
Provides a comprehensive overview of wind energy assessment and turbine characteristics
Includes hands-on experience with real datasets, improving practical skills
Assumes prior knowledge of basic meteorology and mathematics
Useful for individuals involved in wind resource assessment, turbine design, or energy policy

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Reviews summary

Wind energy concepts and applications

Learners say that the Wind Resources for Renewable Energies course offers engaging assignments and covers key concepts in wind energy assessment. While some students appreciate the challenging content and practical applications, others find the difficult exams and lack of support frustrating. Key features of the course include lectures, readings, quizzes, homework assignments, and a final data assessment project, which is seen as the highlight of the course. Overall, those with a strong background in the area of wind energy or related fields may find this course rewarding, but it may be less suitable for beginners.
Applicable knowledge and skills
"I learnt something applicable knowledge from this course."
"The most important point of this course is exclusively for those who are already in this area or have good knowledge in this field (+ analysis and programming) since at the end of this course you will have independent work!"
"I am rating this course five star based on the skills I have got by completing the final project."
Valuable final project
"The final data assessment project has been very interesting to perform and it is definitely the highlight of this course."
"I am rating this course five star based on the skills I have got by completing the final project."
Insufficient support for students
"The course is ok and interesting but quiz are not clear. We dont really know how answer should be formulated and we loose a lot of time in the formulation. The course support is also quite weak."
"No support for any quiz. The explanations does not help much to finish the quizzes."
"If you are a graduate level student in meteorology, and are interested in wind energy, then this course may be for you. Otherwise, stay away."
Tricky and inaccurate quizzes
"I found the content of this course good and interesting. However there are some heavy minuses when it comes to quizzes which are very tricky and sometime not even asking questions related to the course."
"There are a few errors in the quizzes and assignments that havent been adressed since 2020, this course has been abandoned by the instructors."
Demanding course material
"If there was a grade only for difficulty, this course would get at least 6 stars (out of 5)."
"I'm a professional engineer with a Master's degree and this course takes some beating for technical difficulty."
"Do not attempt this courses unless you already have an understanding of calculus at an advanced undergradute level."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Wind resources for renewable energies with these activities:
Review Basic Probability and Statistics Concepts
Refreshing your understanding of probability and statistics will strengthen your foundation for wind resource assessment and data analysis.
Browse courses on Wind Resource Assessment
Show steps
  • Review concepts of probability distributions, sampling, and hypothesis testing
  • Practice solving problems related to wind data analysis
Solve Wind Resource Assessment Problems
Practice solving wind resource assessment problems to enhance your analytical skills and understanding of the factors affecting wind energy potential.
Browse courses on Wind Resource Assessment
Show steps
  • Analyze historical wind data to estimate wind speed and direction patterns
  • Apply statistical methods to determine wind turbine energy production
  • Use computational tools to simulate wind flow and resource assessment
Build a Simple Wind Sensor
Build a wind sensor to gain practical experience with measuring wind speed and direction, enhancing your understanding of atmospheric dynamics.
Browse courses on Wind Resource Assessment
Show steps
  • Gather necessary materials (anemometer, data logger, mounting hardware)
  • Assemble and calibrate the wind sensor
  • Install the wind sensor in an open area with minimal obstructions
  • Collect and analyze wind data using the data logger
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Create a Presentation on Wind Turbines
Creating a presentation on wind turbines will deepen your understanding of their operation, components, and the factors affecting their performance.
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Show steps
  • Research different types of wind turbines (horizontal axis, vertical axis)
  • Analyze the key components of a wind turbine (blades, nacelle, tower)
  • Explain the factors that influence wind turbine efficiency (wind speed, blade design)
  • Present your findings to classmates or colleagues for feedback
Participate in a Wind Energy Discussion Group
Participating in a discussion group will expose you to diverse perspectives and foster collaboration, expanding your knowledge of wind energy and related topics.
Browse courses on Wind Resource Assessment
Show steps
  • Join or create a wind energy discussion group
  • Engage in discussions on current trends, research, and industry developments
  • Share your own insights and experiences
Develop a Wind Farm Siting Plan
Creating a wind farm siting plan will challenge you to apply your knowledge of wind resource assessment and site selection factors, simulating real-world project development.
Browse courses on Wind Resource Assessment
Show steps
  • Identify potential wind farm sites using available data and tools
  • Conduct site visits to assess environmental, land use, and social factors
  • Analyze wind resource data and determine turbine placement
  • Develop a siting plan that meets technical, environmental, and economic requirements

Career center

Learners who complete Wind resources for renewable energies will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Wind Resource Assessor
Wind Resource Assessors assess the wind resource potential of a site for wind energy development. This course will teach you about the wind resources, wind turbines, and electricity production from wind energy. This knowledge can be applied to the assessment of wind energy potential, which is a growing field as the world looks for sustainable energy sources.
Wind Turbine Technician
Wind Turbine Technicians install, maintain, and repair wind turbines. This course will teach you about the wind resources, wind turbines, and electricity production from wind energy. This knowledge can be applied to the installation, maintenance, and repair of wind turbines.
Renewable Energy Project Developer
Renewable Energy Project Developers develop and implement renewable energy projects, such as wind farms and solar farms. This course will teach you about the wind resources, wind turbines, and electricity production from wind energy. This knowledge can be applied to the development and implementation of wind energy projects.
Meteorologist
Meteorologists study the atmosphere and its phenomena, such as weather, climate, and air pollution. This course will teach you about the basic meteorology, atmospheric and marine boundary layers, and wind resources. This knowledge can be applied to a variety of careers in meteorology, such as forecasting, research, and consulting.
Professor
Professors teach and conduct research in a variety of disciplines, including engineering, science, and the humanities. This course may be helpful to Professors who teach or research wind energy or renewable energy. This course will teach you about the wind resources, wind turbines, and electricity production from wind energy. This knowledge can be applied to teaching and research in the field of wind energy.
Energy Engineer
Energy Engineers design and operate energy systems, such as power plants and wind farms. This course will teach you about the wind resources, wind turbines, and electricity production from wind energy. This knowledge can be applied to the design, operation, and maintenance of wind energy systems.
Researcher
Researchers conduct original research in a variety of disciplines, including engineering, science, and the humanities. This course may be helpful to Researchers who study wind energy or renewable energy. This course will teach you about the wind resources, wind turbines, and electricity production from wind energy. This knowledge can be applied to research in the field of wind energy.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems, such as air pollution, water pollution, and climate change. This course may be helpful to Environmental Engineers who need to better understand the wind resource in order to develop renewable energy projects. This course will teach you about the atmospheric and fluid dynamics of wind resources. This knowledge can be applied to the design and implementation of wind energy projects, such as wind turbines and wind farms.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientists study the environment and its interactions with human activities. This course may be helpful to Environmental Scientists who study wind energy or renewable energy. This course will teach you about the wind resources, wind turbines, and electricity production from wind energy. This knowledge can be applied to the study of the environmental impacts of wind energy development.
Energy Policy Analyst
Energy Policy Analysts develop and analyze policies related to energy, such as renewable energy policies. This course may be helpful to Energy Policy Analysts who need to better understand the wind resource in order to develop policies that support wind energy development. This course will teach you about the wind resources, wind turbines, and electricity production from wind energy. This knowledge can be applied to the development and analysis of energy policies.
Climate Scientist
Climate Scientists study climate change and its impacts on the environment. This course may be helpful to Climate Scientists who need to better understand the wind resource in order to assess the potential impacts of climate change on wind energy production. This course will teach you about the basic meteorology, atmospheric and marine boundary layers, and wind resources. This knowledge can be applied to the assessment of the impacts of climate change on wind energy production.
Civil Engineer
Civil Engineers design and build infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and buildings. This course may be helpful to Civil Engineers who need to better understand the wind resource in order to design structures that can withstand high winds. This course will teach you about the atmospheric and fluid dynamics of wind resources. This knowledge can be applied to the design and construction of civil infrastructure projects, such as wind turbines and wind farms.
Oceanographer
Oceanographers study the ocean and its processes, such as currents, waves, and tides. This course may be helpful to Oceanographers who need to better understand the wind resource in order to assess the potential of offshore wind energy development. This course will teach you about the atmospheric and fluid dynamics of wind resources. This knowledge can be applied to the assessment of offshore wind energy potential, which is a growing field as the world looks for sustainable energy sources.
Land Use Planner
Land-use Planners develop and implement plans for the use of land, such as zoning and development regulations. This course may be helpful to Land-use Planners who need to understand the potential impacts of wind energy development on land use. This course will teach you about the wind resources, wind turbines, and electricity production from wind energy. This knowledge can be applied to the development of land-use plans that consider the potential impacts of wind energy development.
Geologist
Geologists are scientists who study the physical structure and composition of the Earth. This course may be helpful to Geologists who need to better understand the atmospheric and fluid dynamics of wind resources in order to assess the potential of a site for wind energy development. This course will teach you about the basic meteorology, atmospheric and marine boundary layers, and wind resources. This knowledge can be applied to the assessment of wind energy potential, which is a growing field as the world looks for sustainable energy sources.

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Wind resources for renewable energies.
Provides a comprehensive overview of wind energy, covering the fundamentals of wind turbine design, operation, and performance. Useful as a reference for understanding the concepts covered in the course.
This comprehensive handbook offers a broad overview of wind energy, covering topics from resource assessment to grid integration. Serves as a valuable reference for professionals in the field.
This textbook provides a detailed exploration of wind turbine technology, including design, construction, and service aspects. It serves as a valuable reference for approfonded understanding of wind turbine systems.
Offers an in-depth examination of the meteorological aspects relevant to wind energy, providing a strong foundation for understanding wind resource assessment.
Provides a comprehensive history and overview of wind energy development, covering technical, economic, and policy aspects. Offers a broader perspective on the field.
This practical guide provides hands-on guidance on wind resource assessment, covering methods, data analysis, and project development. Useful for gaining practical insights into wind resource assessment.
This classic textbook provides a comprehensive treatment of boundary-layer meteorology, which is essential for understanding the dynamics of wind near the Earth's surface.
This practical guide focuses on grid-connected wind systems, providing hands-on guidance for designing, building, and selling such systems. Useful for those interested in the practical aspects of wind energy.
Focuses specifically on wind farm noise, providing guidance on measurement and assessment techniques. Useful for understanding the environmental impact of wind energy systems.
Explores the design and operation of wind turbines, providing technical insights into their performance and efficiency.

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