Estimating wind power generation capacity in Zimbabwe using vertical wind profile extrapolation techniques: A case study
Only 40% of Zimbabwe’s population has access to electricity. The greater proportion of the power is generated from thermal stations, with some from hydro and solar energy sources. However, there is little investment in the use of wind for electricity generation except for small installations in the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Cape Town
2021-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Energy in Southern Africa |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.assaf.org.za/index.php/jesa/article/view/8205 |
| _version_ | 1818562100732100608 |
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| author | L. Gunda E. Chikuni H. Tazvinga J. Mudare |
| author_facet | L. Gunda E. Chikuni H. Tazvinga J. Mudare |
| author_sort | L. Gunda |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Only 40% of Zimbabwe’s population has access to electricity. The greater proportion of the power is generated from thermal stations, with some from hydro and solar energy sources. However, there is little investment in the use of wind for electricity generation except for small installations in the Eastern Highlands, as Zimbabwe generally has wind speeds which are too low to be utilised for electricity generation. This paper presents the use of vertical wind profile extrapolation methods to determine the potential of generating electricity from wind at different hub heights in Zimbabwe, using the Hellman and exponential laws to estimate wind speeds. The estimated wind speeds are used to determine the potential of generating electricity from wind. Mangwe district in Matabeleland South province of Zimbabwe was used as a test site. Online weather datasets were used to estimate the wind speeds. The investigation shows that a 2.5kW wind turbine installation in Mangwe can generate more than 3MWh of energy per annum at hub heights above 40m, which is enough to supply power to a typical Zimbabwean rural village. This result will encourage investment in the use of wind to generate electricity in Zimbabwe.
Highlights
• Wind power utilisation is low in Zimbabwe.
• Vertical wind profile is estimated using extrapolation methods.
• Online weather data for soil and water analysis tool was used.
• Electricity can viably be generated from wind in Zimbabwe. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T00:59:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e085a5e8d5f64c35a5c7bfa72f16cf07 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1021-447X 2413-3051 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T00:59:17Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | University of Cape Town |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Energy in Southern Africa |
| spelling | doaj.art-e085a5e8d5f64c35a5c7bfa72f16cf072022-12-21T23:23:22ZengUniversity of Cape TownJournal of Energy in Southern Africa1021-447X2413-30512021-02-0132110.17159/2413-3051/2021/v32i1a8205Estimating wind power generation capacity in Zimbabwe using vertical wind profile extrapolation techniques: A case studyL. Gunda0E. Chikuni1H. Tazvinga2J. Mudare3University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe; National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, ZimbabwBotho University, Gaborone, BotswanaSouth African Weather Service, Pretoria, South AfricaUniversity of Zimbabwe, Harare, ZimbabweOnly 40% of Zimbabwe’s population has access to electricity. The greater proportion of the power is generated from thermal stations, with some from hydro and solar energy sources. However, there is little investment in the use of wind for electricity generation except for small installations in the Eastern Highlands, as Zimbabwe generally has wind speeds which are too low to be utilised for electricity generation. This paper presents the use of vertical wind profile extrapolation methods to determine the potential of generating electricity from wind at different hub heights in Zimbabwe, using the Hellman and exponential laws to estimate wind speeds. The estimated wind speeds are used to determine the potential of generating electricity from wind. Mangwe district in Matabeleland South province of Zimbabwe was used as a test site. Online weather datasets were used to estimate the wind speeds. The investigation shows that a 2.5kW wind turbine installation in Mangwe can generate more than 3MWh of energy per annum at hub heights above 40m, which is enough to supply power to a typical Zimbabwean rural village. This result will encourage investment in the use of wind to generate electricity in Zimbabwe. Highlights • Wind power utilisation is low in Zimbabwe. • Vertical wind profile is estimated using extrapolation methods. • Online weather data for soil and water analysis tool was used. • Electricity can viably be generated from wind in Zimbabwe.https://journals.assaf.org.za/index.php/jesa/article/view/8205renewable energy; wind energy; power estimation, Hellman law |
| spellingShingle | L. Gunda E. Chikuni H. Tazvinga J. Mudare Estimating wind power generation capacity in Zimbabwe using vertical wind profile extrapolation techniques: A case study Journal of Energy in Southern Africa renewable energy; wind energy; power estimation, Hellman law |
| title | Estimating wind power generation capacity in Zimbabwe using vertical wind profile extrapolation techniques: A case study |
| title_full | Estimating wind power generation capacity in Zimbabwe using vertical wind profile extrapolation techniques: A case study |
| title_fullStr | Estimating wind power generation capacity in Zimbabwe using vertical wind profile extrapolation techniques: A case study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Estimating wind power generation capacity in Zimbabwe using vertical wind profile extrapolation techniques: A case study |
| title_short | Estimating wind power generation capacity in Zimbabwe using vertical wind profile extrapolation techniques: A case study |
| title_sort | estimating wind power generation capacity in zimbabwe using vertical wind profile extrapolation techniques a case study |
| topic | renewable energy; wind energy; power estimation, Hellman law |
| url | https://journals.assaf.org.za/index.php/jesa/article/view/8205 |
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