Evaluation of Wind Energy Potential in Tindouf, South West of Algeria

Abstract

The wind energy is one of the most significant and rapidly developing renewable energy sources in the world and it provides a clean energy resource, which is a promising alternative in the short term in Algeria. The main purpose of this paper is to discuss the wind potential in Tindouf (south west of Algeria) and to perform an investigation on the wind power potential of desert of Algeria. The Weibull density function has been used to estimate the monthly power wind density and to determine the characteristics of monthly parameters of Weibull. A simulation model has been established to describe the characteristics of a particular wind turbine. The monthly power generated and the monthly operating hours by the wind turbine to be simulated. The simulation based on the data wind speed measured at the 10th meters and collected during 8760hours by wind observation station web site weather underground (The global weather data could be obtained from internet).

Keywords: Weibull distribution; Parameters of Wiebull; Wind energy; Wind turbine ; operating hours.