Analysis of wind characteristics and wind energy resource assessment for Tonga using eleven methods of estimating Weibull parameters

Kutty, Saiyad S. and Khan, Mohammad G.M. and Ahmed, Mohammed R. (2024) Analysis of wind characteristics and wind energy resource assessment for Tonga using eleven methods of estimating Weibull parameters. Heliyon, 10 (9). NA. ISSN 2405-8440

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Abstract

Analysis of wind characteristics and assessment of wind energy resource is carried out at a location in Tonga with the help of twelve months of measurements carried out at 34 m and 20 m heights above ground level. The daily, monthly and annual averages are computed. The wind shear analysis and its diurnal variation were studied and compared with the temperature variation. The turbulence levels at the two heights were estimated for the entire measurement period
as well as for some typical days. For estimating the Weibull parameters, eleven methods were employed along with goodness of fit and error estimates to find the best method. The overall averaged wind speed for the entire period of study is estimated to be 4.41 m/s at 34 m above ground level. The predominant wind direction was south-east for Tonga. ‘Moments’ is seen to be the best method to determine accurate Weibull parameters. The average net annual energy production from one Vergnet 275 kW wind turbine is 198.57 MWh. A payback period of 8.95 years by installing five turbines near the measurement location was estimated, which is very encouraging in terms of investment. Installing wind turbines will lower the heavy reliance on the imported fossil fuels in the country and also help in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Wind energy; Weibull distribution; Wind shear coefficient; Turbulence intensity; Annual energy production; Economic analysis.
Subjects:	Q Science > QA Mathematics Q Science > QC Physics > QC851-999 Meteorology. Climatology Including the earth's atmosphere T Technology > TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
Divisions:	School of Information Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Physics (STEMP)
Depositing User:	M. Rafiuddin Ahmed
Date Deposited:	28 Jan 2025 22:36
Last Modified:	28 Jan 2025 22:36
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/14685

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