Assessing the Wind Power Potential in Naama, Algeria to Complement Solar Energy through Integrated Modeling of the Wind Resource and Turbine Wind Performance

Abstract

In the context of the escalating global climate crisis and the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions, this study explores the integration of wind energy as a supplementary source to solar photovoltaic energy in Naama, Algeria. The research utilizes a decade-long anemometric dataset, along with concurrent solar radiation data, to investigate the potential of harnessing wind energy, particularly during periods of low solar irradiance. Employing advanced statistical methods, including the Weibull distribution, the study assesses the wind power generation potential of a 2 kW/day turbine. The research highlights an average evening increase in wind speeds, which inversely correlates with the diminished solar energy production after sunset. This seasonal pattern is further substantiated by a significant negative correlation between wind speed and solar radiation for most of the year (January to May and September to December), with Pearson coefficients ranging from −0.713 to −0.524 (p < 0.05). However, the study also notes an absence of a notable correlation during the summer months (June to August) attributed to seasonal wind variations and the peak of solar irradiance. These findings confirm Naama as an ideal location for integrated renewable energy systems, thereby demonstrating the natural synergy between solar and wind energy. This synergy is particularly effective in mitigating the intermittency of solar power, thus highlighting the potential of wind energy during periods of low solar activity.