Combining Meteorological Stations and Satellite data to Evaluate the Offshore Wind Power Resource of Southeastern Brazil

Wind is strong and steady over the ocean, but on-site marine meteorological data are sparse. Here we draw on meteorological station, satellite data (QuikSCAT), and both theoretical and practical measures of wind turbine performance. The meteorological stations give high time resolution direct measurements at a few points and provide validation and adjustment of the satellite data. The satellite data provide near-complete area coverage at lower time resolution. For the southern coast of Brazil, we use both data sets to evaluate the location, timing, and availability of the resource. Then, using bathymetry and the properties of current wind-electric technology, we develop maps of wind speed, wind power density, and practical turbine output in power units (GW). In the shallower waters of south Brazil, along only one coastal area situated between 28°S and 33°S we find a total resource of 102 GW average electrical production. The potential electrical output of this one coastal region based on current technology is near today's average electric demand for the country.