Comparison of Weibull parameter estimation methods using LiDAR and mast wind data in an Indian offshore site: The Gulf of Khambhat

This paper gives a proper study of 11 types of Weibull parameters estimation methods and their performance comparison for wind potential assessment on India's first offshore project in the Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat. The Lidar (up to 200 m) and met mast (up to 100 m) are deployed to record wind data from Nov-2017 to Dec-2019 by the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), Government of India. The estimation methods such as, modified maximum likelihood method (MMLM), maximum likelihood method (MLM), empirical method of Justus (EMJ), empirical method of Lysen (EML), graphical method (GM), first method of moment (MOM-1), second method of moment (MOM-2), third method of moment (MOM-3), alternative maximum likelihood method (AMLM), WAsP or equivalent energy method (EEM), energy pattern factor method (EPFM), found in literature survey are compared to evaluate the performance using statistical methods in the offshore region of India. The mathematical expressions of methods have been coded and implemented by MATLAB software through a proper data analysis. There is a need to explore more appropriate probabilistic distribution than Weibull distribution. The MMLM, MLM, and MOM versions perform nicely, followed by the empirical method of Justus and Lysen. The GM method underperformed and that needs modification.