Wind Resource Potential Assessment and Implication for Climate Change Mitigation: The Case of Bale Zone, South Eastern Ethiopia

Mekuria Tefera

doi:10.7176/jetp/11-1-01

Abstract

Wind power assessments as well as forecast of wind energy production potential are key issues in the wind energy industry. One of the necessary conditions for the development of wind power generation is to choose the optimal site. Alternative energy plays a great role for climate change mitigation, environmental protection and sustainable development. The objective of this study was to assess the distribution of wind resource based on WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) model and its implication on climate change mitigation in Bale zone, south eastern Ethiopia. In this study, one year wind speed and wind direction at 6- hour intervals at a height of 10, 50 and 100 m were used. The data source is National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). In addition observational wind speed and wind direction data from National Meteorological Agency (NMA) of Ethiopia from ground based stations were used. The analysis result of the NCEP and NMA data by downscaling the model to 20 km by 20 km spatial resolution enabled to map the wind resource potential sites of Bale Zone applicable for wind mill installation. This study showed that most of the Bale zone areas have significant wind power potential to augment its current power generation. The analysis result revealed that wind resource potential is high during summer than winter season. Have a potential of installed 10,329MW wind capacity in Bale zone. If this potential wind resource will installed, so far environment as an estimation of about more than 5 thousand hectare of forest land per year would be preserved, and subsequently, equivalent amount of about 66,294 of CO 2 would be stored per year. Keywords: Wind speed; Wind direction; Wind power; WRF model; Bale zone DOI: 10.7176/JETP/11-1-01 Publication date: January 31 st 2021

Highlights

Wind power, as an alternative clean energy source, supports environmental sustainability and possibly provides part of the solution to our energy insecurity problem (Pryor et al, 2011)
Wind direction and wind energy distribution Based on the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model output and statistical analysis of ten year metrological data, districts are classified from super to marginal wind potential
Wind direction distribution curves of these four districts of the zone are as shown in Fig.2 (A to D)

Summary

Introduction

As an alternative clean energy source, supports environmental sustainability and possibly provides part of the solution to our energy insecurity problem (Pryor et al, 2011). The application of numerical weather prediction (NWP) models for the simulation of wind conditions in a given area is one of important methods. Since accurate assessment of local wind resources is vital for the planning and the management of wind farms, where in-situ measurements are scarce and expensive, the validated mesoscale wind field simulations can provide a suitable alternative dataset. We propose a methodology for the wind resource and site assessment studies at the Mesoscale level using numerical simulations and in-situ metrological data. Despite the course special resolution of the model, we are able to identify wind resource potential regions of the zone. Description of the study site, the WRF model, the data used and the methodology are explained in greater detail.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion