Turbine performance and wind energy potential using probability distribution in Africa

The energy requirement in the world is increasing day by day. The non-renewable energy production is one of the reasons for climate change. The present study explores the selection of possible locations to establish a wind power plant in Ethiopia. The possible locations in Ethiopia that were considered in this study are Weraelu, Enewari and Mekdela. The wind speed characterisation, wind direction and wind power densities were analysed at Weraelu, Enewari and Mekdela. The results of this study reveal that Enewari is the best suitable place to establish the wind power plants among Weraelu, Enewari and Mekdela. In Enewari site, the maximum wind speed at 10 m height is 6.11 m/s. Seventy-five per cent of wind direction at Enewari site is from north to northwest and north to northeast. The Weibull distribution analysis was incorporated to find average wind speed and probability density among 5 years of wind speed data. The average wind speed and probability density over 5 years of Enewari site is 5 m/s and 18.5%. The wind power densities were determined by the Weibull method and the maximum wind power obtained from Enewari site is 495.33 W/m².