Assessing the Potential of Wind Energy as Sustainable Energy Production in Ramallah, Palestine

Abstract

The meteorological statistics collected from six-year wind speed data of Ramallah in Palestine are used to evaluate the potential of wind energy. The Weibull function is utilized to statistically assess the wind performance. An examination of the wind data using hourly wind directions and speeds throughout the six-year period between 2016 and 2021. The investigation revealed that the Weibull model provided a precise explanation of the actual wind data using the maximum likelihood estimator approach for scale and shape parameters. The most prevalent wind direction in Ramallah was west-northwest, accounting for 29.5% of all occurrences. Summer months have the maximum power density, reaching 129.9 at 50 m, 196.0 at 75 m, and 268.9 W/m2 at 100 m. In the conclusion, yearly energy outputs, capacity factors, and economic potential for fifteen wind turbines ranging in size from 0.5 to 5 MW had been evaluated. It was revealed that the greatest capacity factor is about 36% and has a high economic potential at a cost of less than 0.07 $/kWh for an appropriate selection of wind turbine models. This baseline research will be utilized as a decision-making basis for the best and most economical wind energy investment in Palestine.