Wind Energy Data Analysis and Resource Mapping of Dangla, Gojjam, Ethiopia

Abstract

Energy is one of the most important factors in socio-economic development. The rapid increase in energy demand and air pollution has increased the number of ways to generate energy in the power sector. Currently, wind energy capacity in Ethiopia is estimated at 10,000 MW. Of these, however, only eight percent of its capacity has been used in recent years. One of the reasons for the low use of wind energy is the lack of accurate wind atlases in the country. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop an accurate wind atlas and review the wind resources using Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program in Dangla so that the best sites used for the installation of wind farms can be easily identified. Wind climatology data, vector maps, and wind turbine data were used to model the Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program. The wind data collected from National Meteorology Survey Agency over three years were used for the analysis. Besides, vector data for the survey area was prepared using Global Mapper V20.1. In this study, the Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program tool was used to estimate wind resources. The wind resource map was developed at an altitude of 80 m above ground level, and a horizontal axis type wind generator called (i.e., GridStreamer Vestas V100 1.8 MW) was selected from the Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program catalog to mimic the wind farm. The results obtained from the analysis of actual wind data showed that the minimum wind speed was 0.12083 m/s while the maximum wind speed was 9.96389 m/s. At a height of 10 m a.g.l., the mean wind speed and wind power density were 1.8 m/s and 9 w/m2, respectively. The most common wind direction was also discovered to be 210 degrees. The maximum wind speed and capacity factor were available around hills, according to the wind resource map, and the net annual energy output of the Dangla wind farm at a turbine height of 80 m a.g.l. was found to be 282.726 GWh (or, 32.27 MW). The farm’s capacity factor was also discovered to be 9.54 percent, indicating that the site is rated as low potential.