Characteristics of a Wind Map over the Korean Peninsula Based on Mesoscale Model WRF

중규모 모델 WRF로부터 모의된 한반도 풍력-기상자원 특성

This study uses mesoscale model WRF to investigate characteristics of wind fields in South Korea, a region with a complex terrain. Hourly wind fields were simulated for one year representing mean characteristics of an 11-year period from year 1998 to year 2008. The simulations were performed on a nested grid from 27 km down to 1 km horizontal resolution. Seasonal variation of wind speed indicates that wind is strongest during the spring and winter seasons. Spatial distribution of mean wind speed shows wind energy potential at its peak in mountainous region of Gangwon-do, the east coast, and Jeju Island. Wind speed peaks at night in mountainous and eastern coastal regions, and in the afternoon inland and in the southwestern coastal region. The simulated wind map was verified with four upper-air sounding observations. Wind speed was shown to have a more pronounced overestimation tendency relative to observation in the winter rather than summer. The results of this wind mapping study help identify locations with the highest wind energy potential in South Korea.