Wind Energy Resource Assessment at three Sites in the Algerian Highlands

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to assessment of wind energy resource in three Algerian highlands sites. The study is divided into two parts: The first part presents the mathematical models used in this study. The data were collected over a period of 13 year. The Weibull parameters k and c are determined and used for estimate the annual average wind speed and the power density for each site. The annual average wind speed for the selected sites ranged from 3.1 m/s (Bou Saada) to 4.2 m/s (M’sila) and the power density range from 20 W/m2 (El Bayed) to 35 W/m2 (M’sila); The second part determine the capacity factor and the annual average power supplied by the wind turbine, according to the six parameters: the wind characteristics (Weibull parameters k and C) and the characteristics of the CALORIUS 37 wind turbine (rated electrical power, cut-in wind speed, rated wind speed, furling wind speed and the diameter of the rotor).