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This paper introduces the typical wind patterns in New Zealand recording by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and evaluates the optimized sites among them with higher amount of power generation. A comprehensive simulation model has been set up, using several available commercial software packages to test the performance, capacity and efficiency of the results. Available wind records have been used from NASA to conduct simulation model runs of them. Global Wind Atlas is used for showing wind patterns and WRPLOT software plots wind class of sites. Homer Pro software used to propose a microgrid design for each site and calculate power. Generation of electricity from wind turbines depends on the wind speeds and cut-in speed of the wind turbines. In other words, to reach maximum efficiency from wind power, the first step is to analyse the wind speeds of the site where turbine will be located and then estimate the generated power from that turbine. To do it, it is necessary to find the range of wind speeds and the wind directions with demonstrating wind rose and the percentage of year a turbine is working in more than cut-in speed. Based on current wind patterns, Dunedin and Bluff sites found the areas with maximum power generation.

This paper proposes and evaluates an optimized system of tidal turbines as a renewable energy generating unit in New Zealand. A comprehensive simulation model has been set up, using several available commercial software packages to test the performance, capacity and efficiency of the proposed system. Available tidal records have been used to find four regions that are suitable for tidal energy generation and conduct simulation model runs at one of them, Foveaux, to provide the electricity for the isolated area of Stewart Island. Generation of electricity with tidal turbines depends on the water currents and cut-in speed of the tidal turbines. In other words, to reach maximum efficiency from tidal power, the first step is to analyse the water currents of the site where turbine will be located and then estimate the generated power from that turbine. To do it, it is necessary to find the range of water currents and the tidal directions with demonstrating tidal rose and also find how to get maximum power by choosing a proper tidal turbine. Based on tidal flows of the Foveaux straight, two tidal turbines (Schottel 54 kW and 70 kW) with different cut-in speeds are selected. The results indicate that choosing Schottel 54 kW with 0.2 m/s less cut-in speed in comparison to Schottel 70 kW can generate 4.7 times more power.

This paper proposes and evaluates an optimized system of offshore wind turbines operating as a renewable energy generating unit in New Zealand. A comprehensive simulation model has been set up, using several available commercial software packages to test performance, capacity and efficiency of the proposed system. Available wind records have been used to select three coastal regions which are suitable for wind energy generation and conduct simulation model runs at three locations. Findings so far have been firstly that horizontal axis wind turbines are the most suitable for offshore installation; secondly that a direct current microgrid appears suitable for linking to the onshore electricity supply network; thirdly, many coastal sites can be ruled out because generating capacity is too low or because site factors preclude installation; and fourthly there are some sites where simulation results indicate good potential for offshore wind energy and other site factors do not preclude development. Evaluation of the economic feasibility and returns is now in progress.

In this study, the performance of different wind turbines is compared using Qblade software. Typically wind turbines are categorized as Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT), and Vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) which in this paper Darrieus type as a VAWT is discussed with HAWT. The airfoil selected for this study is NACA 0012, and from simulations, it can be seen in which wind speed range, each type has higher efficiency. Then, the parameters involved in their performance is discussed, and suggestions are made on how to modify them to have a higher output power. Qblade contains the XFOIL airfoil analysis functionalities which make a software a single tool which comprises all functionality needed for the design and simulation of vertical and horizontal axis wind turbines. The benefits of the proper airfoil design optimal are increasing the efficiency of wind turbines and maximization of the power produced.