TITLE:
Seasonal Wind Characteristics and Prospects of Wind Energy Conversion Systems for Water Production in the Far North Region of Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Dieudonné Kaoga Kidmo, Bachirou Bogno, Kodji Deli, Deli Goron
KEYWORDS:
In Situ Wind Measurements, Mechanical Wind Pumping, Wind Electrical Pumping, Satellite-Based Wind Resource, Wind Energy, Far North Cameroon
JOURNAL NAME:
Smart Grid and Renewable Energy,
Vol.11 No.9,
September
30,
2020
ABSTRACT: This
study aimed at investigating the characteristics of the wind power resource in
the Far North Region of Cameroon (FNR), based on modelling of daily long-term
satellite-derived data (2005-2020) and in-situ wind measurements data (1987-2020). Five different reliable statistical indicators assessed the accuracy level for
the goodness-of-fit tests of satellite-derived data. The two-parameter Weibull
distribution function using the energy factor method described the statistical
distribution of wind speed and investigated the characteristics of the wind power resource. Six
10-kW pitch-controlled wind turbines (WT) evaluated the power output, energy
and water produced. A 50 m pumping head was considered to estimate seasonal
variations of volumetric flow rates and costs of water produced. The results
revealed that the wind resource in FNR is suitable only for wind pumping applications. Based on the hydraulic requirements for
wind pumps, mechanical wind pumping system can be the most cost-effective
option of wind pumping technologies in FNR. However, based on the estimated
capacity factors of selected WT, wind electric pumping system can be acceptable
for only four out of twenty-one sites in FNR.