Assessment of Wind Characteristics and Electricity Generation Potential for Yanbu, Saudi Arabia

摘要

The analysis of recently collected wind speed data is presented for Yanbu (24°05′N 38°00′E), located at the west coast of Saudi Arabia. With an average wind speed of 5.3 m/s at a height of 40 m, the average wind speed varies from a minimum value of 4.44 m/s in October to a maximum value of 6.14 m/s in June. Wind characteristics and electricity generation potential have been assessed using a web tool, „Wind Energy Assessment (WEA) Tool‟. Weibull parameters, namely, Shape factor, k and Scale factor, c have been calculated using both Graphical method and Standard Deviation method for 12 months, May‟11 – April‟12. Along with the assessment of the wind energy density, the energy generation potential by Polaris P-21 wind turbine with rated power of 100 kW have been assessed using Weibull based approach and Rayleigh based approach. Total annual energy output of 154 MWh, 308 MWh, 170 MWh by this wind turbine have been estimated using Graphical method, Standard Deviation method and Rayleigh based approach, respectively. The cost of electricity have been calculated as US$ 0.097/kWh, US$ 0.048/kWh and US$ 0.088/kWh for capacity factors of 17.5%, 35.2% and 19.5% estimated using three different statistical models, respectively considering the turbine cost of US$ 160,000 and rate of return of 5%.