Authors : SHAMSUDEEN, Umar; SAIDU, Sunbo Akanji; ABDULHAKIM, Akinlabi Abiola; ADENLE, Johnson G
Volume/Issue : Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 2 - February
Scribd : https://bit.ly/3ZJvAor
DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7731042
The performance of a proposed energy source
depends on the breeze distribution pattern for a region.
This study was embarked upon to estimate the wind energy
potential in Kebbi State based on Weibull distribution
function. Estimation of the potential the proposed energy
source in the region provides a means of establishing the
viability of deploying energy source in generating
electricity in that region. The Data on Breeze speed in
Kebbi State spanning a period of five years (2017-2021)
was obtained from Nigeria Metrological Agency (NIMET).
The mean speeds were obtained at a height of 10.1m and
transformed to a height of 50m using power law coefficient
value of 0.143 to allow for accurate evaluation of energy
source to compensate for height of modern wind turbines.
The study revealed that monthly mean breeze speed values
for Kebbi State was mostly between 3 to 4minutes per
second. The maximum monthly rate is 6.372 minutes per
second was recorded in February. From the results
obtained, the shape parameter range between 1.404 and
1.844 an indication that the wind distribution is skewed
towards lower velocities. The average power density value
for the years studied was found to be 64.88(W/m2
). This
result classifies Kebbi State using the European Wind
Energy Association (EWEA) as poor. However, the wind
energy distribution in the study area could be used to
power light loads. Selection of α value of 0.4, a factor which
depends on the terrain improved the monthly wind speed
to a range of 2.531 m/s to 9.733 m/s. The mean yearly
velocity also range from 4.486 m/s to 7.731 m/s. These
values is greater than the yearly mean speed range of 2.863
m/s to 4.933 m/s recorded when α is 0.143 This increment
in wind speed will greatly impact on the breeze power
density of the region. The study therefore recommended
that further work should be done to determine the actual
value of power law coefficient (α) in Kebbi State to enable
us take a more decisive decision on the energy potential of
Kebbi State. However, to deploy wind energy on a large
scale in Kebbi State effort has to be geared towards
designing wind turbine with low rated speed to match the
frequency probability distribution in Kebbi State.
Keywords : Wind Energy, Weibull Distribution, Wind Power Density, Wind Mean Speed, Power Law Coefficient.