Proc. of European Wind Energy Conference (EWEC 2007), Milano, Italy, May 2007.

WIND ATLAS OF VOJVODINA, SERBIA

eljko urii, Momilo Bubnjevi, Duan Mikii, Nikola Rajakovi
University of Belgrade, Faculty of Electrical Engineering
SUMMARY: In Serbia, systematic measurements of wind potential have not been performed, and therefore there is
no reliable data on wind power potential. Northeastern part of Serbia Vojvodina is a region of special interest for
perspective wind-plant construction. In this paper, a map of wind energy potential for Vojvodina has been presented.
Map has been formed with WAsP software and through application of methodologies from European Wind Atlas.
Standard hydrometeorologic measurements of wind speed from 9 hydrometeorologic stations for the period from
1999 to 2006 have been used as input data. Also, custom measurements of wind parameters have been used for the
map verification, acquired with 40m anemometer measurement mast that was installed in region Deliblatska
Peschara. In the surroundings of anemometer measurement mast, in 40km radius, a map of high resolution (200m)
has been given, which shows relatively good wind potential at a higher number of micro locations in this part of
region Vojvodina.
1. WIND POTENTIAL MAP OF SERBIA
The only available data on the wind velocity ratings, competent for the estimate of wind potential map of
Serbia, are the standard hydro meteorological measurements. The territory of Serbia is relatively well covered with
hydro meteorological measurement stations, Fig.1.

Fig 1: Meteorological observing system in Serbia

Wind recordings in Serbia have been taken since the beginning of 70's in 34 measurement stations. Wind
velocity measurements are taken at a standard 10 m height. Anemometers are generally of older (obsolete) types with
tape recordings (anemographs), which make hourly mean wind velocity data mostly unavailable. In the last two
years, modern digital equipment/ instruments with remote measurement readings of wind parameters have been
installed in several measurement stations in Serbia.
Based on the wind velocity measurement data taken in the period from 1971 through 1990, a wind potential
map of Serbia was generated [1] Fig. 2, by using the meteorological data contained in the European Wind Atlas.

eljko urii, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Bul. kralja Aleksandra 73, 11120 Belgrade, Serbia
ph. +381 11 3218 360 e-mail: djurisic@etf.bg.ac.yu

Proc. of European Wind Energy Conference (EWEC 2007), Milano, Italy, May 2007.

Average annual wind power at 100m

above ground level

Fig. 2: Average annual wind power map of Serbia at 100m height above ground level
Basic characteristics of wind potential of Serbia:

Available wind energy in Serbia varies greatly from one region to another, showing substantial
differences even at small distances.
Wind energy is more available in lower areas than in higher ones. This paradox can be explained with
a fact that winds are usually catabatic and have higher speed in descent moving.
Northeastern part of Serbia is a region of special interest. Particularly interesting is the region of south
Banat where the wind of dominant direction also has dominant speed.
Wind potential is better during the colder period of the year in this region.

2. WIND POTENTIAL MAP OF VOJVODINA

The Vojvodina Region (Fig.3) is specifically interesting for the analysis of the wind potential of Serbia.

Vojvodina

SERBIA

Proc. of European Wind Energy Conference (EWEC 2007), Milano, Italy, May 2007.

Fig. 3: Position and topography of Vojvodina (North part of Serbia)

The basic characteristics favouring this Region in terms of possible use of wind power are:

Good wind potential in some regions

Accessible terrain (land) and low building/construction cost of the wind turbine, for wind farm
development
Cheap transport, for large wind turbines, of the wind turbines from the countries of the European
Union (the River Danube)
Low keraunic level
Many isolated/individual electricity consumers in the rural sites, that are potential users for small wind
system applications
Good potential of other renewable (biomass, solar, geothermal) power, creating a favourable
framework for creating an integrated renewable energy policy program

In the framework of the RISE Project (www.rise05.net) , a detailed analysis of the wind potential of
Vojvodina was made and the relevant wind potential map of Vojvodina duly prepared, Fig.4.

Fig 4: Average annual wind speed and wind power map of region Vojvodina at 50m height above ground level
The map, Fig.4, is made on the basis of wind velocity measurements taken at 6 meteorological stations in
the Vojvodina Region and three bordering stations situated in Croatia, Hungary and Romania. The methodology from
the European Wind Atlas [2] was being used in the process. For the verification of the wind potential map, the wind
velocity measurements were being used as taken on the anemometric mast, 40 m high, located in the close vicinity of
the measurement station Banatski Karlovac.
Vojvodina region is characterized by a strong SE wind. This wind, with a descending component, is
stronger than the ascending wind that occurs simultaneously. The area affected by this local wind (named 'Koshava')
is surrounded by mountains from the south and the east, and open to the north and the west. Koshava is mostly
blowing during the colder period of the year. The warmer period of the year is dominated by the westerly winds. The
wind rose in the Vojvodina Region is characterized by its expressly predominant southeasterly wind, Koshava.
Blowing over the terrain, Koshava loses its energy and the wind potential is due to decrease from southeast to
northwest of Vojvodina. Fig. 5 shows mean wind velocity taken from measurement stations. The Stations are lined up
in the direction of blowing of Koshava.

Proc. of European Wind Energy Conference (EWEC 2007), Milano, Italy, May 2007.

Fig. 5: Average annual wind speed (at 10m height a. g. l.) for meteorological stations in Vojvodina
Extremely dominant southeastern wind characterizes the wind rose in the Vojvodina region, Fig. 6.

S
Fig. 6: Wind rose measured in meteorological station Banatski Karlovac
The wind of dominant direction also has dominant speed, which represents the basic quality for building
wind-generators. This kind of wind rose is beneficial for building individual wind-generators as well as a wind park.
3. WIND POTENTIAL MAP OF THE DELIBLATSKA PESCHARA SITE
Targeted region Deliblatska Peschara is located in south-eastern part of Vojvodina. The target region is
characterized by a flat and open terrain, which allows a quality in-sight in the wind potential within the area
surrounding the measuring column. The wind map for the target region has been determined by means of the WAsP
software package and wind speed data taken at measurement stations Vrac and Banatski Karlovac. The methodology
from the European Wind Atlas has been used in the process. Detailed orography, roughness and obstacle models that
have been made for the region are being analyzed.
Fig. 7 shows the position/location of the target site - Deliblatska Peschara. Fig. 8 shows the map with the
terrain orography.

Proc. of European Wind Energy Conference (EWEC 2007), Milano, Italy, May 2007.

35 km

35
km

Deliblatska
Peschara

Fig. 7: Position and topography of Deliblatska Peschara site

Meteorological station B. Karlovac

Deliblatska Peschara

Fig. 8: Orography of terrain and position of meteorological station at Deliblatska Peschara site
Fig. 9 shows the Regional high resolution wind map (200x200)m with data on wind potential at 50m height
at target site Deliblatska Peschara.

Proc. of European Wind Energy Conference (EWEC 2007), Milano, Italy, May 2007.

5km

Fig 9: Regional high resolution wind map (200x200)m with data on wind potential at 50m height at target site
A broader target region is characterized by a relatively good wind potential, with the prevailing Class 3 and
Class 4 winds. The wind potential is greater on the periphery of the Deliblatska Peschara, for a lower terrain
roughness. The target region includes micro locations in which a mean annual wind velocity, measured at 50 m, is
above 6 m/s, while the mean wind power density in these locations is about 300 W/m 2. The wind rose is very
favourable for the construction of the wind power plants, for its expressly predominant southeasterly wind. The
dominant wind direction has also the greatest force, which favours the construction of the wind power plants. The
analyses show that perspective wind power plants, built in this region, could operate at a very high capacity
utilization factor [3], [4].
Fig. 10 show the discrete wind speed histogram and Rayleight statistic at target location estimated at 50m
above ground level.

Fig. 10: Discrete wind speed histogram and Rayleight statistic at typical microlocation

Proc. of European Wind Energy Conference (EWEC 2007), Milano, Italy, May 2007.

in target region estimated at 50m above ground level

Fig. 11 shows the seasonal variations of the wind velocity and force taken at the measurement taking site.

Fig. 11: Average monthly wind speed and wind power variation at target site measured at 40m height

The target region is characterized by a strong southeast wind (Koshava) blowing in autumn, winter and
spring periods, while the summer winds are predominantly westerly in direction and considerably lower in intensity.
Annual diagram of electricity consumption is to a great extent compatible to annual variations of wind power in the
analyzed region, where wind in winter months is significantly stronger and more frequent than in summer.
4. CONCLUSION
In this paper wind potential of Serbia analysed. Characteristic for this region is that wind speeds are greater
in lower than in mountain areas. North part of Serbia -Vojvodina represents the region of special interest for wind
applications. Custom wind measurements in this region are of particular importance because lowland terrain provides
very reliable space extrapolation of measurements in a wide radius around the measurement mast (20 to 30km).
Lowland terrain and relatively well developed distribution network in Vojvodina are a precondition for low costs of
connecting perspective wind-plants to electric system. River Danube and road infrastructure allow cheap transport of
wind-generators from countries of European Union and low erection costs, which have significant impact on the
economy of wind-generators. Vojvodina also has relatively low keraunic level, which is also a relevant factor in
selecting location for a wind-plant. These are the essential reasons for favouring Vojvodina as a perspective region for
wind-plant construction.
Based on long term meteorological measurements, methodology from European wind atlas and WAsP
software, wind potential map of this perspective region was formed. Map shows greater wind speeds in southeastern
part of Vojvodina; Koshava, strong southeastern wind is blowing in that region most time of the year. Annually mean
wind speed measured at 40m height in region Deliblatska Peschara is 5,72 m/s, and mean wind power density is 237
W/m2. Annually mean wind speeds at micro locations with best wind potential at 50m height are above 6 m/s. Using
software package WAsP, the annual production of perspective wind-plant at micro locations with best wind potential
has been determined, amounting 15600 MWh/year for the selected wind-turbine E-82 mounted on a mast 70m high
[3]. This productivity corresponds to capacity usage factor of 29,7%, which is above the average for locations in
countries of European.

Proc. of European Wind Energy Conference (EWEC 2007), Milano, Italy, May 2007.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This research was partially supported by the European Commission, RISE Project FP6-INC02-S09161, and by the
Ministry of Science and Environmental Protection Republic of Serbia, Project Solar and Wind Atlas of Serbia.
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