Analysis of wind speed data and wind energy potential in Faya-Largeau, Chad, using Weibull distribution

In this work, we aimed at analyzing the wind speed of Faya-Largeau and making decisions of the cost effective wind turbine for the said zone. The characteristics of the wind speed and the energy potential of Faya-Largeau in the Saharan zone of Chad were studied using monthly wind speed data collected over eighteen years (1960-1978) and measured at 10 m height. In order to determine the wind power density and the available energy for the Faya-Largeau site in the Saharan zone of Chad, the Weibull probability density function was used. Thus, the annual values of the Weibull parameters k and c are respectively 3.75 and 3.60 (m/s), whereas the power density and available energy are respectively 343.31 W/m2 and 249.87 kWh/m2. Three commercial wind turbine models were used. Based on the capacity factor, the 1.MW/54 Bonus model is cost-effective for the Faya-Largeau site and could be strongly recommended for installation.