Separate abstracts are included for 38 papers presented concerning large scale wind systems, small scale wind systems, regional and economic analysis, wind characteristics research, environmental and institutional considerations, and international activities. Four papers were previously input into the energy data base.

A technique is presented which simulates the hourly wind speeds at any number of dispersed sites within a region. The required input for the simulation is an hourly wind speed record from a single ''representative site'' and an estimation of the size of the region in which the sites will be located. This technique is not intended for use at any specific location but rather intended to be used for generic mission analysis type studies.

Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS) commercially available in the United States are described. The terms used to describe these wind systems are defined and their significance discussed. Lists of manufacturers and distributors, subsystem components and suppliers, and references are provided.

Preliminary results are presented of a field experiment to study the turbulent structure in the wind flow through a simulated disc of rotation of a large, horizontal-axis wind turbine blade. The wind flow impinging on the hypothetical turbine blade was simulated by a nine-element circular array of three component anemometers in a single vertical plane. The wind data were analyzed as: a single point, hub height measurement (at the center of the array); an arithmetic average of all sensors; and a synthesis of the data records assumed to represent measurement locations on a hypothetical, rotating turbine blade. The effects of areal averaging were examined using the arithmetic mean over the array. Similarly, the effects of averaging over the blade pair were examined by arithmetically averaging opposing data points representing the air flow past the rotating blade.

Within the Federal Wind Energy Program of the United States of America, the Wind Characteristics Program Element (WCPE) has been established with the responsibility for assembling and developing wind characteristics information appropriate to the needs of those involved in energy program planning, design and performance of wind energy conversion systems (WECS), selection of sites for WECS installation, and the operation of WECS. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is addressing this responsibility through a management/research program which includes: reliable wind and turbulence descriptions pertinent to WECS design and performance evaluation; effective analyses and methods for the determination of wind energy potential over large areas; dependable and cost-effective methodologies for the siting of WECS; and descriptions of day-to-day wind variability and predictability for WECS operations.

The reliability benefit of geographically dispersed wind turbine generators is analyzed. Electricity produced from wind machines experiences wide fluctuations of output at a given site. Yet the value of electricity is a function of its reliability. Pricing schedules have traditionally valued firm power, that is, reliably available power, much more highly than ''dump power;'' that is, power which is available intermittently on an ''if and when'' basis. The conventional wisdom on wind power suggests that it is unrealistic to expect that wind generation will be sufficiently reliable to displace conventional capacity. While such conclusions may be valid for analysis of individual sites, the main thesis of this paper is that geographical dispersal improves aggregate reliability.

The use of windpower poses a variety of problems for utilities primarily due to the uncontrollability of the power source and the high degree of variability of the wind. Differences in the dynamic behavior of the wind and of utility load patterns and the problems that arise from these differences are described. Utility capacity expansion methods and modifications to them to incorporate the characteristics of wind machines into the analytic procedure are outlined and results from initial studies employing these modifications are reviewed. These results indicate that, in general, storage devices are too expensive to be purchased by utilities if they serve mainly to balance the output of the wind machines; wind machines tend to supplant purchases of conventional baseload capacity but require additional peaking units; and the economic value of wind machines to utilities is composed of savings in both fuel and capacity related expenditures for conventional equipment.

In the initial evaluation of a prospective wind turbine site, wind measurements must be made at that site. The report describes an inexpensive data collection device consisting of a microprocessor unit that can be used to record such measurements, producing statistical summaries of wind behavior at the site. Prospectors have often used analogous devices to locate deposits of mineral resources; thus, this device is called a wind prospector's instrument.

Data are presented concerning climatology development methodology programs; dual station wind correlation analyses; and the candidate site wind climatologies.

A wind tunnel test of the MDAC heliostat configuration in a single heliostat, clustered heliostats and clustered heliostats with fence was performed. The tests were conducted at the Fluid Dynamics and Diffusion Laboratory of Colorado State University during February and March 1978. The purpose of the test was to experimentally evaluate the aerodynamic loadings associated with the air flow patterns within and over clusters of heliostats selected from both perimeter and interior locations of the field array. The heliostat model was scaled by a factor of 1:22, and cluster configurations ranged from 7 to 12 heliostats. The test was successful and data taken appears consistent in terms of peak load with previous data obtained by MDAC in the Douglas Aircraft Low Speed Tunnel. For single heliostat pitching moments peak at 30/sup 0/ elevation angle. For clustered heliostats this value is usually lower with no distinct peak evident. Effects of having an open, half-closed, or fully-closed heliostat center slot appear to be small. Pressure distributions on heliostat surfaces (front and back) are relatively non-uniform, both on planar surfaces and the support post. A wind fence with 33% porosity provides significant reduction in the aerodynamic loads with pitching moments and drag forces reduced 50% to one order of magnitude.