Wind Statistical Analysis and the Number of Generation Hours for Different Wind Turbines at Three Lakes in Iraq

Abstract

The use of wind as an energy source is becoming popular because it is non-polluting and renewable. There is a pressing need in Iraq to develop site-based technology on wind energy, which can be used for optimal design of wind turbines and wind farming. The main objective of this research is to analyze the wind data statistics for one year period of January to December 2012 at three lakes in Iraq; Tharthar, Habbaniyah, and Razzazah. In the other hand, data recorded at 10m are estimated at 30m and 50m above ground level. Statistical analysis of these data is achieved using Weibull distribution function; the analysis included different wind turbine machines (500 kW, 950 kW, and 1500 kW) in order to assess the number of hours electricity generation from those turbines. The results show that Tharthar Lake gives more generation hours than the other lakes depending on the site characteristics and on the turbine type.

Keywords: Wind speed, Weibull parameters estimation, Generation hours, lakes, Iraq.