The potential of wind energy in Kuwait: a complete feasibility investigation

Abstract

Energy prospectors are seeking to diversify the energy resources, reduce air pollution, and protect the economy from unstable crude oil prices. In this regard, the wind energy is an attractive source of renewable energy. In this paper, the potential of wind energy generated in wind farms is statically predicated and assessed. The average speed from four weather stations in Kuwait from 2009 to 2017 is adopted in the investigation, and three of these stations are onshore and one offshore. The value of the dimensionless Weibull shape and scale parameters are calculated. The maximum yearly value for Weibull shape parameter is 4.76, and the maximum yearly value for scale parameter is 8.35 m/s. The highest recorded monthly wind power density is 257.36 W/m2. The analyses indicated that the maximum yearly output energy of 11.71 GW-h can be produced by a 3.0 MW wind turbine. According to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) classification, the Alsalmi, the Airport, and the Failaka island are not a favorable location for wind turbine location, while the Miribah is fairly good.