Spatiotemporal Change in Climate Variables and Resources of Wind， Solar Radiation and Precipitation in Qinghai Province from 1961 to 2021

Abstract

In order to evaluate the potential of wind， solar radiation and precipitation in guaranteeing the development of clean energy comprehensively， this study analyzed the temporal and spatial changes in climate variables and resources of wind speed， solar radiation and precipitation in Qinghai Province throughout the year and four seasons from 1961 to 2021 based on the observation data of daily 10-meter-height wind speed， sunshine duration and precipitation at 51 meteorological stations.The results are as follows： （1） The annual average wind speed， solar radiation and precipitation in Qinghai Province are 2.67 m·s-1， 6084.2 MJ·m-2， and 299.7 mm， respectively.Wind speed tends to be higher in the western regions and lower in the east， which exceeds 3 m/s and reaches the standard for wind energy resource development in western Qinghai.The annual solar radiation in the entire Province exceeds 5040 MJ·m-2， and reaches the "very rich" level according to China Solar energy GB Standards.The solar radiation of Qaidam Basin is at its highest abundance level， which is ideal for solar energy resource development.Precipitation generally decreases from southeast to northwest.The resources of wind， solar radiation， and precipitation in Qinghai Province exhibits seasonal complementarity， characterized by a pattern of “strong winds， good sunlight， and less water in spring， whereas weak winds， good sunlight， and abundant water in summer”.（2） Under climate change， the annual average wind speed and total solar radiation in Qinghai Province show a significant decrease at rates of 0.16 m·s-1·10a-1and 29.04 MJ·m-2·（10a）-1， respectively.The western and central parts of Haixi are most affected by these changes， but the wind speed and solar radiation still remain within the acceptable range for wind energy and photovoltaic resource development.Meanwhile， precipitation increases significantly at a rate of 8.85 mm·（10a）-1， with the largest increase observed in western Yushu， eastern Haixi and northern Guoluo.The most significant decrease in wind speed is observed in spring， while summer solar radiation decreases at the fastest rate but with a substantial increase in precipitation.The changes in solar radiation and precipitation could be ascribed to the increased cloud cover in this region.（3） The changes in the areas where wind speed and solar radiation meet suitable development standards in Qinghai Province are not significant with reduced variabilities， which could ensure the stable development of clean energy.Wind energy resources in western Qinghai （such as Tanggula Mountains）， solar energy resources in the Qaidam Basin， and water energy resources in the three major river basins of the Yangtze River， Yellow River， and Lancang River have great potential for development.Overall， the results provide a theoretical foundation for the development of a balanced clean energy system encompassing wind， solar and hydropower.This contributes to achieving national "dual carbon" goals and enhancing the high-quality development of Qinghai Province.

Keywords

• wind speed
• precipitation
• solar radiation
• climate resources
• qinghai province