Investigation of wind resources in Timimoun region, Algeria

This article presents an analysis of wind power resources in Timimoun region using the Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program. This application takes in consideration the effects of sheltering obstacles, surface roughness changes, and the terrain variations on the wind speed variability and power output. The analysis part is composed of generating the wind speed and direction data for developing the wind atlas. Hourly wind data records over a period of 3 years from 2001 to 2003 were obtained from Société Nationale de l'Electricité et du Gaz R&D Office. The wind data measurements were made at an elevation of 17 m above the ground level. The mean values of wind speeds, wind power density, the predominant wind directions, the frequency distribution, and the Weibull distribution parameters (c and k) were determined. Finally, the energy yield was estimated using the VESTAS V90-2.0-MW wind turbine as the reference turbine in the southwestern region of Algeria, Timimoun. RETScreen model was also used to estimate the wind power potential employing the long-term annual mean wind speed data over a period of almost 22 years between 1984 and 2005.