This report provides information on the wind resource in Alice Springs and its potential use as an electricity resource.
Report extract
The Alice Springs Future Grid project conducted a twelve-month Wind Resource Monitoring Trial (Wind Study), providing insights for the development of renewable energy systems in Alice Springs. This report provides baseline information to stakeholders on the wind resource in Alice Springs and its  potential to be developed into a useable electricity resource.
Data was collected at two locations in Alice Springs over 2021 and 2022, using mobile wind monitoring units. The units, known as SODARs, were constructed by Fulcrum 3D and rely on sonic detecting and ranging (SODAR) to estimate the wind speed and direction at up to 200 metres above ground. This data was also correlated to long-term meteorological datasets.
To further understand the potential value of wind energy an analysis was undertaken on the potential generation from a 3 megawatt (MW) turbine and compared to the potential of solar PV generation. Cost factors for both large-scale solar PV and wind generation were also reviewed in order to present the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) of both resources.
