Comparison of six different parameter estimation methods in wind power applications

Abstract

In this paper, the different parameter estimation methods such as maximum likelihood method, least square method, weighted least square method, moments method, the method based on quantiles and maximum spacing method for the Weibull distribution which are widely accepted in wind power studies are presented and discussed. The effect of the selecting parameter estimation method on the estimation of wind power is also discussed. Then the wind power estimation results that would be obtained by using the parameters estimated with each method are evaluated. The analysis is performed to show the effects of overestimating or underestimating wind power values caused by an erroneous estimation of the probability density function parameters. © 2011 Academic Journals.