Wind potential estimation and proposed energy production in Southern Punjab using Weibull probability density function and surface measured data

Abstract

Current work focusses on the wind potential assessment in South Punjab. Eleven locations from South Punjab have been analyzed using two-parameter Weibull model (with Energy Pattern Factor Method to estimate Weibull parameters) and five years (2014–2018) hourly wind data measured at 50 m height and collected from Pakistan Meteorological Department. Techno-economic analysis of energy production using six different turbine models was carried out with the purpose of presenting a clear picture about the importance of turbine selection at particular location. The analysis showed that Rahim Yar Khan carries the highest wind speed, highest wind power density, and wind energy density with values 4.40 ms−1, 77.2 W/m2 and 677.76 kWh/m2/year, respectively. On the other extreme, Bahawalnagar observes the least wind speed i.e. 3.60 ms−1 while Layyah observes the minimum wind power density and wind energy density as 38.96 W/m2 and 352.24 kWh/m2/year, respectively. According to National Renewable Energy Laboratory standards, wind potential ranging from 0 to 200 W/m2 is considered poor. Economic assessment was carried out to find feasibility of the location for energy harvesting. Finally, Polar diagrams drawn to show the optimum wind blowing directions shows that optimum wind direction in the region is southwest.