This study has been developed to evaluate the wind potential of the Ceará state in the wet and dry seasons during El Niño and La Niña events. The limited area model RAMS 6.0, forced by ERA-Interim Reanalysis, was run to simulate the air density and wind speed in different atmospherics levels. To evaluate the performance of the model, the simulated data of wind speed was compared with observed data, at 10 m height, from climatology stations of the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET), by graphics and by a group of statistical indices. Additionally, monthly maps of mean wind speed at 50 m height were drawn. The wind maps categorized the wind potential according to the classification of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The presented results to evaluate the performance of the model showed that although the model overestimated the observed data, the index of agreement and the correlation coefficient have values ranging from moderate (0.40 < r < 0.69) to strong (0.70 < r < 0.89). By grouping the statistical indices it was possible to conclude that in wetter semesters and/or during the occurrence of the La Niña phenomenon the model performance is better. As far as the assessment of the wind potential, it was noted that during the occurrence of positive ENSO the condition for power generation is a more favorable than during ENSO cold phase events, mainly in the coastal region of Ceará state. It is possible to conclude that the model performance was satisfactory, and thus, it could be used a possible forecasting tool on future operating routines of wind resources in Ceará state.
Wind Power; El Niño and La Niña; Dinamic Downscaling
