On wind speed pattern and energy potential in Nigeria

The aim of this paper is to review wind speed distribution and wind energy availability in Nigeria and discuss the potential of using this resource for generation of wind power in the country. The power output from a wind turbine is strongly dependent on the wind speed and accurate information about the wind data in a targeted location is essential. The annual mean wind speeds in Nigeria range from about 2 to 9.5 m/s and the annual power density range between 3.40 and 520 kW/m² based on recent reported data. The trend shows that wind speeds are low in the south and gradually increases to relatively high speeds in the north. The areas that are suitable for exploitation of wind energy for electricity generation as well as for water pumping were identified. Also some of the challenges facing the development of wind energy and suggested solutions were presented.     

Wind resource assessment of an area using short term data correlated to a long term data set

A method of estimating the annual wind energy potential of a selected site using short term measurements related to one year’s recorded wind data at another reference site is presented. The proposed method utilizes the 1-year measured wind speed of one site to extrapolate the annual wind speed at a new site, using an artificial neural network (ANN). In this study, concurrent measurements from target and reference sites over periods of 1-month and 2-month were used to “train” the ANN. Topographical details or other meteorological data are not required for this approach. After derivation of the simulated wind speed time series for the target site, its mean value and its corresponding Weibull distribution parameters are calculated. The derived Weibull distribution of the simulated wind speed is used to make an assessment of the annual wind energy resource in the new area with respect to a particular wind turbine model. Three pairs of measuring stations in the southwest of Ireland were examined, where the wind potential is high and technically exploitable. Analysis of the measurements showed a reasonable cross-correlation coefficient of the wind speed between the sites. Results indicate that with this method, only a short time period of wind data acquisition in a new area might provide the information required for a satisfactory assessment of the annual wind energy resource. To evaluate the accuracy of the method, simulation results of the 1-month and 2-month training periods are compared to the corresponding actual values recorded at the sites. Also, a comparison with the results of a commercial wind energy assessment software package is presented showing similar results.     

Wind characteristics and energy potentials for Owerri, Nigeria

Wind characteristics and wind energy resource potentials for Owerri, Nigeria are presented. These were evaluated using routine wind data measurements at a height of 10 m above ground level at the Lake Nwebere Campus, Federal University of Technology, Owerri between 1988 and 1992. The most prevailing wind is from the Southwest and the average wind speed and its variation are 2.80 and 0.81 m s⁻¹, respectively.Accordingly, the maximum annual mean power density exploitable from the wind at this site is 7.66 ± 0.15 W m⁻² out of the estimated available annual mean wind power density of 12.91 ± 0.26 W m⁻². The annual mean energy density available in the wind was found to be 60.29 kW h m⁻². Thus, the potential for year-round wind energy utilization in Owerri, Nigeria is rather low.     

Feasibility of large scale offshore wind power for Hong Kong — a preliminary study

This paper investigates the potential and the feasibility of offshore wind energy for Hong Kong. The 1998 wind data taken from an island were analysed. The wind resource yields an annual mean wind speed of 6.6 m/s and mean wind power density of 310 W/m². With commercially available 1.65 MW wind turbines placed on the whole of Hong Kong’s territorial waters, the maximum electricity generating potential from offshore wind is estimated to be 25 TWh which is about 72% of the total 1998 annual electricity consumption. However, potential is significantly reduced if other usages of the sea such as shipping are considered. A hypothetical offshore wind farm of 1038 MW capacity is then sited on the East-side waters. The extreme wind and wave climates, as well as the seasonal variation of wind power and demand are examined. The electricity generation costs are estimated and compared with the local retail tariff. Initial results indicate the wind farm is economically viable and technically feasible.     

Resource potential for wind-hydrogen power in Ukraine

The paper provides an assessment of the current wind energy potential in Ukraine, and discusses developmental prospects for wind-hydrogen power generation in the country. Hydrogen utilization is a highly promising option for Ukraine's energy system, environment, and business. In Ukraine, an optimal way towards clean zero-carbon energy production is through the development of the wind-hydrogen sector. In order to make it possible, the energy potential of industrial hydrogen production and use has to be studied thoroughly.Ukraine possesses huge resources for wind energy supply. At the beginning of 2020, the total installed capacity of Ukrainian wind farms was 1.17 GW. Wind power generation in Ukraine has significant advantages in comparison to the use of traditional sources such as thermal and nuclear energy.In this work, an assessment of the wind resource potential in Ukraine is made via the geographical approach suggested by the authors, and according to the «Methodical guidelines for the assessment of average annual power generation by a wind turbine based on the long-term wind speed observation data». The paper analyses the long-term dynamics of average annual wind speed at 40 Ukrainian weather stations that provide valid data. The parameter for the vertical wind profile model is calculated based on the data reanalysis for 10 m and 50 m altitudes. The capacity factor (CF) for modern wind turbine generators is determined. The CF spatial distribution for an average 3 MW wind turbine and the power generation potential for the wind power plants across the territory of Ukraine are mapped.Based on the wind energy potential assessment, the equivalent possible production of water electrolysis-derived green hydrogen is estimated. The potential average annual production of green hydrogen across the territory of Ukraine is mapped.It is concluded that Ukraine can potentially establish wind power plants with a total capacity of 688 GW on its territory. The average annual electricity production of this system is supposed to reach up to 2174 bln kWh. Thus, it can provide an average annual production of 483 billion Nm³ (43 million tons) of green hydrogen by electrolysis. The social efficiency of investments in wind-hydrogen electricity is presented.     

A survey on the assessment of wind energy potential in Egypt

In this paper, wind data obtained from the Egyptian Meteorological Authority are used to assess monthly and annual wind power and wind energy. The study is based on data from 15 anemometer meteorological stations, distributed all over Egypt and covering a period ranging from 1973 to 1994. For these stations the wind data are summarized. The wind energy potential at the 25 m height was obtained by extrapolation of data at 10 m using a power-law expression. The result presents the mean wind energy density estimates and potential for application in Egypt. The analysis showed that along Red Sea coasts, the annual wind energy flux is found to be high, which indicates that these coastal stations are possible locations for wind energy utilization. On both the Mediterranean coast and in the interior parts of Egypt, some stations are of low available wind energy, while others are found to be rather high. Also, the two Weibull distribution parameters have been estimated from the wind speed data for some meteorological stations and the wind power density is calculated using the values of these parameters.     

基于ERA5数据的江苏海域风能资源评估

利用欧洲中期天气预报中心（ECMWF）的ERA5风场数据，综合考虑风功率密度的时空分布、稳定性以及资源储量等要素，对江苏海域风能资源进行评估。结果表明，江苏海域多年平均风速和风功率密度总体呈现南高北低、离岸高近岸低的分布趋势。连云港近岸区域风功率密度等级小于2级，3级及以上区域主要分布在远海海域；盐城和南通除岸边潮间带滩涂区域外，大部分区域达到2级或3级，离岸约30 km可迅速提升至4级以上。风功率密度具有较明显的季节性分布特征；盐城南部和南通海域风能稳定性最好，连云港海域风能稳定性相对较差。南通和盐城南部风能资源有效储量最高，盐城北部次之，连云港最低。     

Evaluating the performance of wind turbines in selected locations in Oyo state,Nigeria

The wind speed distribution and wind energy potential are investigated in three selected locations in Oyo state using wind speed data that span between 12 and 20 years measured at 10 m height. In addition, the performance of selected small to medium size wind turbines in these sites were examined. The annual energy output and capacity factor for these turbines were determined. It was found that the monthly mean wind speeds in Oyo state ranges from 2.85 m/s to 5.20 m/s. While the monthly mean power density varies between 27.08 W/m² and 164.48 W/m², while the annual mean power density is in the range of 67.28 W/m² and 106.60 W/m². Based on annual energy output, wind turbines with cut-in wind speed of about 2.5 m/s and moderate rated wind speeds will be best suited for all the sites.     

Projected changes in wind speed and its energy potential in China using a high‐resolution regional climate model

Following its commitment to Paris Agreement in 2015, China has started to explore potential renewable energy solutions with low carbon emissions to mitigate global warming. Though wind energy is one of the most cost‐effective solutions and has been favored for climate policy development around the world, its high sensitivity to climate change raises some critical issues for the long‐term effectiveness in providing sustainable energy supply. Particularly, how wind speed and its energy potential in China will change in the context of global warming is still not well understood. In this paper, we simulate the near‐surface wind speed over China using the PRECIS regional climate modeling system under different RCP emission scenarios for assessing the possible changes in wind speed and wind energy availability over China throughout the 21^st century. Overall, the PRECIS model can reasonably reproduce the mesoscale climatological near‐surface wind speed and directions as documented in reanalysis data across most regions of China, while some local discrepancies are reported in the southwestern regions. In the future, the annual mean wind speed would be decreasing in most regions of China, except for a slightly increase in the southeast. The expected changes in wind speed are characterized with different amplitudes and rates under different RCP emission scenarios. The changes in the spatial distribution of wind speed seem to be sensitive for RCP climate emission scenarios, especially in the late 21^st century. The spatiotemporal changes in wind energy potential exhibit a similar behavior to those in near‐surface wind speed, but the magnitudes of these changes are larger. In general, the wind power density is expected to increase by over 5% in winter in the major wind fields in China (ie, Northwest, Northcentral and Northeast), while significant decreases (by about 6% on average) are projected for other seasons (ie, spring, summer and autumn). By contrast, the wind energy potential in the northeast would increase over most months in the year, especially in winter and summer. The results of this research are of great importance for understanding where and to what extent the wind energy can be utilized to contribute renewable energy system development in China in support of its long‐term climate change mitigation commitment.     

Wind energy potential assessment in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India

Availability of wind energy and its characteristics at Kumta and Sirsi in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka has been studied based on primary data collected at these sites for a period of 24 months. Wind regimes at Karwar (1952–1989), Honnavar (1939–1989) and Shirali (1974–1989) have also been analysed based on data collected from India Meteorological Department (IMD) of respective meterological observatories. Wind energy conversion systems would be most effective in these taluks during the period May to August. The monthly frequency distributions of wind speed have been analysed for Kumta and Sirsi where hourly wind speed recording is available. It is shown that two parameter Weibull distribution is a good representation of the probability density function for the wind speed. Energy Pattern Factor (EPF) and Power Densities are computed for sites at Kumta and Sirsi. With the knowledge of EPF and mean wind speed, mean power density is computed for Karwar, Honnavar and Shirali. Our analyses show that the coastal taluks such as Karwar and Kumta have good wind potential. This potential, if exploited would help local industries and coconut and areca plantations. Premonsoon availability of wind energy would help in irrigating these orchards and makes the wind energy a desirable alternative.     

Verification of wind resource study of a Scottish region

In a survey of the practical wind energy resource present in the Tayside Region of Scotland it was estimated that over 1500 km² of land is suitable for wind energy development in the Region after consideration of a range of physical, technical and institutional factors. Wind speed data for this survey was obtained from the Energy Technology Support Unit (ETSU) UK Wind Speed Data Package. To verify the wind speeds obtained from the ETSU package a representative sample of sites in and around the identified areas of potential in Tayside were modelled for mean annual wind speed using the Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program (WA^sP). The wind speeds for the sites obtained from the WA^sP analysis were compared with those obtained from the ETSU UK Wind Speed Data Package and conclusions drawn as to the reliability of the Tayside wind energy survey and the general applicability of the ETSU package for broad wind energy resource assessment.     

Assessment of wind energy potentiality at Kudat and Labuan, Malaysia using Weibull distribution function

The wind resource is a crucial step in planning a wind energy project and detailed knowledge of the wind characteristic at a site is needed to estimate the performance of a wind energy project. In this paper, with the help of 2-parameter Weibull distribution, the assessment of wind energy potentiality at Kudat and Labuan in 2006-2008 was carried out. “WRPLOT” software has been used to show the wind direction and resultant of the wind speed direction. The monthly and yearly highest mean wind speeds were 4.76 m/s at Kudat and 3.39 m/s at Labuan respectively. The annual highest values of the Weibull shape parameter (k) and scale parameter (c) were 1.86 and 3.81 m/s respectively. The maximum wind power density was found to be 67.40 W/m² at Kudat for the year 2008. The maximum wind energy density was found to be 590.40 kWh/m²/year at Kudat in 2008. The highest most probable wind speed and wind speed carrying maximum energy were estimated 2.44 m/s at Labuan in 2007 and 6.02 m/s at Kudat in 2007. The maximum deviation, at wind speed more than 2 m/s, between observed and Weibull frequency distribution was about 5%. The most probable wind directions (blowing from) were 190° and 269° at Kudat and Labuan through the study years. From this study, it is concluded that these sites are unsuitable for the large-scale wind energy generation. However, small-scale wind energy can be generated at the turbine height of 100 m.     

Wind characteristics and wind energy potential in Morocco

The wind characteristics of 11 sites in the windy regions in Morocco have been analysed. The annual average wind speed for the considered sites ranged from 5 m/s to 10 m/s and the average power density from 100 W/m² to 1000 W/m², which might be suitable for electrical power production by installing wind farms. On an annual scale the observations of the distribution of hourly wind speed are better fitted by the Weibull hybrid distribution in contrast to the Weibull distribution.The wind power is estimated to be 1817 MW, that is to say, the exploitable wind energy is 15198 GWh, which represents theoretically 11% of the total consumed energy in Morocco in 1994.     

Wind energy potential in Aden-Yemen

The wind energy resource is very large and widely distributed throughout the world as well as in Yemen. Aden possesses a very good potential of wind energy. In this article a number of years data on wind speed in Aden has been studied and presented. A statistical analysis was carried out from which the annual wind speed was found to be 4.5 m/s and most of the time the wind speed is in the range of 3.5–7.5 m/s. The wind speed distributions were represented by Weibull and Rayleigh distributions. It was found that the Rayleigh distribution is suitable to represent the actual probability of wind speed data for Aden. The wind speed data showed that the maximum monthly wind speed occurs in the month of February with the maximum in the month of June. It is concluded that Aden can be explored for wind energy applications.     

Examining wind quality and wind power prospects on Fiji Islands

Wind resource analysis was carried out for two major islands in the Fiji. Wind data from July 1993 to June 2005 from NASA data base was analysed. Annual seasonal variation in wind speed, direction and power density were analysed for various locations. The average yearly wind speed for Fiji is between 5 and 6 m/s with average power density of 160 W/m². Site specific validation showed no significant relationship between NASA and experimental data. The wind resource at Laucala Bay has a power density of 131 W/m² at 55 m. The expected annual energy produced from a 275 kW GEV Vergnet wind turbine is 344 MWh. The capacity factor of the turbine is expected to be 14.3% with an overall efficiency of 37%. The electricity generated would cost $FJ 0.27 per kWh. The system will payback its worth in 12.2 years.     

对福建省陆地风能资源的评估

对我国福建省福州和厦门2座城市进行了风能开发潜力的评估.基于对该地区近15年的日平均风速的统计分析,计算了各月的风能密度,拟合出了Weibull分布密度函数的特征参数.用Weibull分布密度函数预测了各月的风能密度.并与实测值进行了对比及相关性分析,结果证明了Weibull函数对实测数据有很好的拟合性,同时也表明福建省陆地风力资源的不足,对该地区风力资源的调查重点应放在沿海滩涂及浅海.     

A pre-feasibility study of wind resources in Kutubdia Island, Bangladesh

Kutubdia is one of the coastal islands in Bangladesh. The wind speed data at the wind monitoring station of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), Kutubdia, located in a built-up area, appears to be low, but at another location, near the seashore, Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) finds that the wind energy availability should be reasonably high. Considering the surface roughness, obstacle condition and terrain information of the island, a micro-scale prediction has been done using (100×100 m²) grid cells in the Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program (WAsP) to develop monthly and annual wind atlas and also a wind resource map which shows that at 50 m height, the annual wind speed over Kutubdia coast varies from 5.1 to 5.8 m/s. Southern and Eastern sides of Kutubdia appear to be promising for wind electricity generation using large turbines where wind power density at a height of 50 m or higher is found to be above 200 W/m² annually over the year September 1996 to August 1997. It is found that at 30 m height, the coast side of Kutubdia should be sustainable for small turbines.     

A GIS based assessment of potential for windfarms in India

The Wind Energy Potential for India has been assessed, assuming as if the whole of the country (apart from the urban and the Himalayan areas) is covered with windfarms, by an innovative approach using GIS platform, wind speed measurements under government’s program and the NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis data.¹ The methodology involves setting up a grid of 1 sqkm resolution over areas other than urban settlements and Himalayan regions, computation of wind speeds at boundary layer level through vertical extrapolation of known or measured mean annual wind speed and interpolation of the extrapolated wind speeds to arrive at a mean annual wind field at boundary layer level and then computation of wind speed at the hub-height of the wind turbine. Power output from a standard wind turbine is computed and only areas showing a Plant Load Factor (PLF) higher than 15% are considered in the potential assessment. The results of this exercise indicate the potential for windfarms in India to be significantly higher than what was assumed earlier. The analysis and its revalidation using data measured at varying heights in different parts of the country establishe this approach as useful and perhaps a powerful tool to undertake wind resource potential assessments. This analysis and the results are discussed in the backdrop of the general energy scenario in India and earlier assessments of wind potential in the country.     

Potential wind power generation in the State of Kuwait

The wind characteristics of six locations in the State of Kuwait have been assessed. The annual average wind speed for the considered sites ranged from 3.7 to 5.5 m/s and a mean wind power density from 80 to 167 W/m² at standard height of 10 m. The Weibull parameters and power density of each station have been determined using Weibull distribution. The wind data at heights 15, 20, 25 and 30 m were obtained by extrapolation of the 10 m data using the Power-Law. The potential wind energy at different heights was estimated using Weibull parameters. Maximum power density is found at 30 m height which varies between 130 and 275 W/m² with 70% increase from the standard height indicating fairly potential wind energy especially in the northern part of the country. The highest potential wind power was found during the summer season which is the peak demand season of electricity in Kuwait.     

An analysis of wind power density derived from several wind speed density functions: The regional assessment on wind power in Malaysia

In wind turbine design and site planning, the probability distribution of wind speed becomes critically important in estimating energy production. The utilization of accurate distribution will minimize the uncertainty in wind resource estimates, and consequently, it will improve the result in the site assessment phase of planning. In general, different region will have different wind regime. Hence, it is reasonable that different wind speed distribution will be found for different region. In this study, the features of wind power density based on the dependency of the suitable wind speed density have been obtained analytically using transformation technique. Since the wind power density has been obtained, the mean power density which is referred as an important indices related to the estimation of potential wind energy have been obtained by using the concept of raw moment and Monte Carlo approach. An analysis of semivariogram indicates the lack of spatial correlation of the wind power in Malaysia. The map of the mean power density over Malaysia indicates that several regions such as northeast, northwest and southeast region of Peninsular Malaysia and southern region of Sabah are found as the best region to be further investigated in the future for the wind energy development.