Wind energy resource assessment for Vanuatu with accurate estimation of Weibull parameters

Singh, Krishneel and Bule, Leonie and Khan, Mohammad G.M. and Ahmed, Mohammed R. (2019) Wind energy resource assessment for Vanuatu with accurate estimation of Weibull parameters. Energy Exploration and Exploitation, 37 (6). pp. 1804-1832. ISSN 0144-5987

PDF (Final version published online) - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (2MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Wind energy resource assessments for Pentecost Island and Epi Island in Vanuatu were carried out using one year of wind data. The wind data were used to calculate the daily average wind speed, diurnal variation of wind speed and monthly average wind speed. The diurnal variation of wind shear coefficient of the site was also studied and it correlated well with the temperature variation. Ten methods were used to determine the Weibull parameters and the wind power density of the site. The best method was determined using the goodness of fit test/error where the correlation coefficient, coefficient of efficiency, root mean square error, maximum absolute error and maximum absolute percentage error for the 10 methods were compared. It was found that the moments method was the best method for obtaining the shape parameter (k), the scale parameter (A) and the correct wind power density for the Pentecost Island site, whereas for the Epi site, the median and quartiles method performed the best. The mean wind speed for the Pentecost site was 5.60 m/s, while that for the Epi site was 5.86 m/s. The Weibull parameters were also estimated for the two seasons for both the islands. The wind resource maps showing the wind power density were also obtained. The annual energy production from 10 Vergnet 275 kW wind turbines, positioned at good locations on the digital wind map, was estimated. Finally, an economic analysis of the turbines was carried out, which indicated a payback period of 4.85 years.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Wind energy,Weibull distribution, wind shear coefficient, turbulence intensity, economic analysis, wind atlas analysis and application programme
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General) T Technology > TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) > School of Computing, Information and Mathematical Sciences Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) > School of Engineering and Physics
Depositing User:	M. Rafiuddin Ahmed
Date Deposited:	02 Oct 2019 00:46
Last Modified:	02 Oct 2019 00:46
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/11793

Actions (login required)

View Item