Generation of wind speed map and determination of wind energy potential with geographical information systems: Example of kirklareli province

Fossil fuels used for energy production cause environmental pollution and damage to natural resources. Renewable and sustainable energy systems are the most important means of reducing the amount given to the environment and natural resources. While developed countries are pioneers and leading in the development of renewable energy resources, it is seen that developing countries such as Turkey that have limited fossil fuel reserves also invest in renewable energy resources. According to the reports of the Turkish Wind Energy Association, the share of wind power plants in electricity generation in Turkey was 7.4% in 2019. With the newly established WPPs, it increased to 8.4% in 2020. With the newly established wind power plants, it is expected that the share of wind power plant in electricity generation will tend to increase. The most important problem for newly established wind power plants is that the wind energy potential of the place where the power plant will be established is not known. In order to determine and develop the wind energy potential, many geographical information system-based applications have been researched. Wind speed potential is considered as the most important criterion affecting wind energy development. In this thesis, a wind turbine model was selected for Kırklareli province, then wind speed maps at turbine tower height were created using wind speed data of Kırklareli province obtained by the General Directorate of Meteorology. The wind energy potential of Kırklareli Province has been calculated by using the areas where a wind power plant cannot be established and the generated wind speed maps.