Feasibility and Potential Assessment of Wind Resource a Case Study in North Shewa Zone, Amhara, Ethiopia

Abstract

The assessment of wind resource potential and feasibility is critical for generating and forecasting power generation, as wellas resource identification. In Ethiopia, the majority of the country lacks a wind atlas, making it difficult to determine the availability of sources. Seven different areas (Debre Berhan, Alem Ketema, Mehal Meda, Eneware, Gundo Meskel, Majete and Shewa Robit) were investigated. For the work data was collected from various sources and analyzed using MATLAB software. The basic sources of data that were obtained nationally were from the NMA, which is the National Metrological Agency found in Addis Ababa, and were obtained centrally from each local delegate’s registered report from a height of 2 meters and 10 meters in each listed districts above. According to the results analysis, the average wind speed at most sites is reasonable and 4 m/s at a height of 10 meters, and some of the case study sites have an average wind speed of less than 3 m/s. The extrapolation prediction method produces more realistic results at 30 and 50 meters; for example, when 10 meter is extrapolated to 30 and 50 meters, the wind power densities are 75.2 w/m2, 300.9 w/m2, and 680.5 w/m2, respectively. Similarly, the average yearly energy density for 10 meter, 30 meter, and 50 meter is 2110.8, 4122.6, and 8219.9 Kwh/m2/year, respectively. As per the international standard for wind power and wind speed classification, Eneware and Mehal Meda are categorized under class 7, whereas Debre Berhan is categorized under class 3, while the remaining sites such as Shewarobit, Gunde Meskel, Alem Ketema, and Majete are classified under class 1 for the majority of the year.