Wind power utilization for water pumping using small wind turbines in Saudi Arabia: A techno-economical review

An attempt has been made, may be first time in Saudi Arabia, to utilize power of the wind for pumping the water for remotely located inhabitants not connected with national power grid. Small turbines of 1–10 kW have been chosen in conjunction with Goulds 45 J model water pumps to produce energy from wind and pump water using the produced energy at Arar, Rawdat Ben Habbas and Juaymah localities in Saudi Arabia. Wind speed measurements made at different heights using 40 m tall towers have been utilized in the present work. Higher wind speeds were noticed during summer time compared to winter time at all the locations. Both energy yield and cost of energy point of view, 2.5 kW wind turbine from Proven was found to be most suitable for wind power generation at all sites. It is shown that annual total water pumping capacity of 30,000 m3 is possible from a depth of total dynamic head of 50 m when using 2.5 kW Proven wind turbine with hub heights 15–40 m at all three sites with cost of water pumping as low as 1.28 US¢/m3.