Vertical characterization of the wind mode and its effect on the wind farm profitability of Sidi Daoud – Tunisia

The choice of a site and the statistical characterization of the wind speed represent the most significant factors in the process of wind park establishment. Indeed, the average value of the wind speed during one year and its temporal variation are the factors which have the greatest impact on the economic wind farm profitability. Thus, this article presents a meteorological and energetic study, in terms of the height of Sidi Daoud wind power station installed in Tunisia.From the meteorological data recorded, during the year 2004, in two places (masts 3 and 4) of the site and with heights 45, 50 and 60 m above ground level, we studied the vertical profile the wind speed both using the logarithmic law and the power law. The Raleigh distribution is selected to determine the annual characteristics of the wind and their influence on the available energy. The obtained results are then extrapolated vertically using the power law making it possible to make a comparative study between the two places in order to know the evolution of the wind speed at altitudes representing an energetic interest.The study also concerns the aerodynamic performances of the three aerogenerators with horizontal axis AE-46, AE-52 and AE-61 installed in site. From their characteristic curves, we have been able to study their energy efficiency in function of the wind speed, their use factors and the availability rate according to the height.All the numerical results illustrated in the article are obtained by a computer code developed by software MATLAB.