On the regional wind energy potential of Turkey

Continuous uses of fossil fuels are bound to pollute the atmosphere and con sequently unwanted greenhouse and climate change effects will come to domin ate every part of the earth. It is, therefore, advised to exploit clean ene rgy resources, and for many nations in the world to try to assess their env ironmentally friendly, clean energy resources such as wind energy. Hence, i t is an urgent situation to determine the wind energy potential in every co untry. This paper gives the wind velocity, topography and wind energy varia tion maps obtained for Turkey with local and regional interpretations. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.