Noabl wind speed database

The UK wind speed database (Noabl) is provided by the department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR). A good description of the database and its use is provided by the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA).

It is possible to download all the UK information as a database (plotted left). In these files it is stated that:

"The data can only be used as a guide and should be followed by on-site measurements for a proper assessment. "

With errors easily exceeding 2 m/s, the effects on wind turbine yield prediction are very significant. Furthermore, the database takes no account of local wind obstacles.

The database has now been superceded by the much-improved Carbon Trust's Wind Yield estimation tool which uses the improved NCIC database and makes a first pass correction for a site's wind shelters. The Carbon Trust and Met Office still recommend that promising sites follow up with on-site wind measurements.

Heidra provides a service to monitor wind speed, direction and shear. By correlating with local Met Office station data, Heidra is able to provide realistic average annual energy yields for wind turbines in as little as 2 months.

The twin anemometer system to measure the wind profile (shear) allows the average wind speed to be extrapolated to heights above that monitored and across the site. Wind turbine hub height and power performance profile can therefore be optimised for each individual site.