Investigation of Sustainable Technology Options: Wind, Pumped-hydro-storage and Solar potential to Electrify Isolated Ziway Islanders in Ethiopia

Abstract

This research at supplying electricity to Ziway lake islanders in Ethiopia, through studying the wind, pumped hydro-storage (PHS), and solar energy potentials. A wind mast is erected, and measurements at 10,50, and 70m heights are taken for a year long. The wind is of class-4 with wind speeds of 7m/s at 50m, and 7.87m/s. The energy density is 318.8 kWh/m2 (50m). GIS-based 3D digital elevation model (DEM) is used to investigate the PHS, with the lake as lower-reservoir and a dried-out crater pond of an extinct volcano as upper reservoir. The head is extracted using optical remote sensing technology, DEM(LiDAR) 12.5m. Constraints considered are topography, area, head, and slope. Twelve upper reservoirs are identified within head range of 50-250,50-200, and 50-100m. The results showed a PHS capacity of 5976 KWh at head of 60m can be developed. The solar energy potential is 6.1KWh/m2 /day. The finding proved the viability of electricity supply to the community.