Statistical Analysis of Ethiopian Wind Power Potential at Selected Sites

Abstract

AbstractThe intent of the study reported in this paper is to make analysis of the wind speed data and annual wind energy potential at Abomsa Metehara and Ziway in Ethiopia. The wind speed data was collected from National Metrology Agency of Ethiopia, and then monthly and annual mean wind speed, wind power potential, wind energy potential and Weibull distribution parameters for these three sites have been analyzed and assessed. In the results, the monthly mean wind speeds, the measured and Weibull estimated of most probable monthly wind velocity, wind velocity carrying maximum energy, monthly wind power and wind energy density for these three sites at site locations have been estimated. Based on monthly and annually mean wind speeds at stations, annually and monthly mean wind velocities at 40 m, 60 m, 80 m, 100 m and 120 m heights via wind shear law have been extrapolated. At these heights, annual mean wind velocity carrying maximum energy, annual most probable wind velocity, annual mean wind power and annual wind energy density for these sites have been estimated. Additionally, the annual cumulative distribution function and probability density function of wind speed for the selected sites have been obtained using the Weibull distribution functions.KeywordsMean wind speedWind power densityWeibull parametersWind-driven water pump