A recent study conducted by Enrico Antonini and colleagues from the Carnegie Institution for Science in Stanford, US, sheds light on the geographical distribution of reliable wind power across the globe. Published in Nature, the research offers valuable insights into regions with steady winds and those susceptible to “wind droughts,” periods of unusually low wind speeds.
The analysis, based on climate data dating back to 1979, assessed wind power capacity, seasonal variations, and weather patterns in various locations worldwide. It revealed that while north-west Europe boasts high wind power potential, it also experiences intermittent wind droughts, as observed during the prolonged period of low wind speeds in the summer and autumn of 2021, which strained the region's electricity system.
Conversely, the study identified several regions characterized by more consistent and reliable winds. These include the American Midwest, Australia, the Sahara Desert, Argentina, central Asia, and South Africa. Remarkably, these areas currently harbor significant untapped wind power potential, presenting promising opportunities for future energy development.
The findings suggest that while wind droughts pose challenges, they need not be insurmountable obstacles to wind energy utilization. Instead, regions prone to such phenomena, like north-west Europe, can enhance system resilience through various strategies. These may include diversifying the power supply mix, establishing grid interconnections over long distances, and investing in energy storage technologies.
As the world continues to transition towards renewable energy sources, understanding the dynamics of wind power distribution and addressing the associated challenges will be crucial for ensuring a reliable and sustainable electricity supply.
