Assessment of Vertical Wind Characteristics for Wind Energy Utilization and Carbon Emission Reduction

With the rapid advancement of clean energy, wind farm planning and construction are expanding worldwide, increasing the demand for accurate resource assessments. This study investigates the influence of vertical wind characteristics on wind farm siting and energy production, using measured meteorological data from the Hangjinqi wind farm. Results show that both mean wind speed increase substantially with altitude, indicating that upper layers provide richer and more stable wind resources. The estimated annual energy production of the site reaches 23,500 MWh, with capacity factors ranging from 35% to 42%, well above the national average. Seasonal and diurnal variations are evident: wind speeds strengthen during winter and spring, particularly at night, while turbulence intensity peaks in the daytime and decreases with height. Carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction also increases with hub height, with the most pronounced seasonal reductions in spring (3367.6–5041.1 tCO2, +49.7%) and winter (3215.7–5380.0 tCO2, +67.4%), equivalent to several thousand tons of standard coal per turbine annually. Optimal performance is observed at 100–140 m, demonstrating efficient utilization of mid- to high-altitude resources. Nevertheless, discrepancies in turbine performance at different hub heights suggest untapped potential at higher elevations. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating vertical wind characteristics into wind farm siting decisions, and support the deployment of turbines with tower heights ≥140 m alongside intelligent scheduling and forecasting strategies to maximize energy yield and economic benefits.