An optimum design and economic feasibility analysis of wind farms in Kuwait using different wind generation technologies

Abstract

Kuwait plans to produce 15 % of its electricity from renewable resources by 2030. This paper aims at designing a 300-MW wind farm in six different sites in Kuwait. The study uses the measured wind data at Kuwait International Airport to predict the wind profile (speed and power density) at the selected sites. To validate the work, two different types of wind generation technologies are used in the design. The first type is Full-Converter Wind Turbine Generators (FCWTGs), and the second type is Doubly Fed Induction Generators (DFIGs). The designed wind farms are simulated using the Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program (WAsP®) to estimate the Annual Energy Production (AEP) for each type of wind farms in each selected site. The location of every wind turbine in each wind farm (both types) for every selected site is accurately determined while considering needed spacing between rows and columns of turbines. The wake effect for downstream wind turbines is considered and estimated in the design. A comparison between the different wind farms in the six sites using the DIFGs and the FCWTGs generators is carried out. The economic feasibility of the designed wind farms is studied using the estimated Annual Energy Production (AEP) in each one of the designed wind farms.