TECHNO-ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF WIND TURBINES IN NIGERIA

Ignatius Kema Okakwu,Titus Oluwasuji Ajewole,Akintunde Samson Alayande,Olakunle Elijah Olabode,Tobiloba Emmanuel Somefun

doi:10.32479/ijeep.10030

Abstract

Wind energy potentials of some selected high altitude and coastal areas in Nigeria are assessed for possible utilization for the generation of electricity. The main aim is to provide pragmatic insight that will enhance the investment in wind energy conversion systems in an optimal manner. The data used in this present study were obtained from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, which includes average wind speeds per day of four locations across the country, measured at the anemometer height of 10 metres over a period of 11 years. With the sites classified based on their wind power densities, the capacity factor estimation value was used to select the most suitable turbine for the selected sites, and the present value cost method was employed to estimate the unit cost of energy of the turbine at various hub-heights. The results obtained from this study reveal that Jos, Kano and Ikeja are economically viable as well as having excellent wind resources integration into the grid, while P/H is viable for a standalone application. The outcome of the study provides useful information that will aid renewable energy policymakers in Nigeria for wind energy development.Keywords: Capacity factor estimation, Wind turbine, Electricity generation, Techno-economyJEL Classification: C63DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.10030

Highlights

Energy is among the essential needs of economic development (Babatunde et al, 2020; Oyedepo et al, 2012; Somefun et al, 2020), in meeting the world high energy demand
In sub-section 3.3, the optimal selection of wind turbine for various sites is presented, and sub-section 3.4 focuses on the econometric of the sites for an optimum investment of wind power generation in Nigeria
It is established that the average wind speeds for Jos, Ikeja, P/H and Kano are 13.40 m/s, 10.64 m/s, 5.47 m/s and 11.07 m/s respectively, while wind power densities of 1957 W/m2, 800 W/m2, 200 W/m2 and 1084 W/m2 respectively; all at the hub height of 10 m

Summary

Introduction

Energy is among the essential needs of economic development (Babatunde et al, 2020; Oyedepo et al, 2012; Somefun et al, 2020), in meeting the world high energy demand. The quest to cut down on the use of fossils due to their fast depletion, harmful environmental influences, unstable prices, as well as the daily increase in energy demand has motivated the need for alternative cleaner energy resources (Li et al, 2019; Somefun et al, 2019). The use of wind energy for the generation of electricity has gained more acceptance all over the world due to its default abundance, affordability, cleanliness, inexhaustibility and environmental friendliness (Adetokun et al, 2020). Among the renewable energy sources, wind energy is known for its fastest-growing characteristics in both developing and developed countries (Adetokun et al, 2018; Arıoğlu et al, 2015)

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Results

Conclusion