Wind energy potential of the Region of Tras-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Portugal

The main objective of this paper is to present a study on the wind energy p otential that is being developed in the Region of Tras-os-Montes and Alto D ouro. This study started in July 1996 and will continue until the end of 19 98. In order to have an adequate characterisation of the wind energy potential in this region it is necessary to measure the wind speed and direction in s everal places. At this moment the data are being collected at nine places. Due to lack of space, only four places will be addressed in this article. The Region of Douro and Alto Tras-os-Montes has an area of 12,235 km(2). It is located in the Northeast part of Portugal and represents 57.7% of the N orth Region. Other projects refer to this region as having great potential in the field of renewable energies [1,2]. From the analysis of the collected data, it se ems that wind energy in Marao and Alvao mountains is one of the most intere sting renewable energies [3,4]. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.