Wind energy potential and large-scale turbine performance analysis for Mogadishu – Somalia

Abstract

Somali is a country having energy supply discontinuously. Only 80 % of the country can reach electricity and it supplies most of the energy from fossil fuel. Moreover it requires different energy sources in order to meet the demand.

In this study, the analysis of wind energy potential of Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, was realized. By using the realtime wind speed and wind direction, average wind speed and unit power density values at a particular height was calculated. By using these data with Weibull and Rayleigh probability density functions, average wind speed and wind energy was analyzed. According to the wind speed measurement analysis, the average wind speed was measured as 4494 m/s at 10 m height and calculated to be 6203 m/s at 100 m altitude where average wind power density was measured as 114,94 W/m² at 10 m height and calculated to be 302,323 W/m² at 100 m level. Weibull and Rayleigh probability distribution parameters were calculated by using MATLAB curve fitting tool as k = 1,71 and c = 5,03 m/s while a and b parameters were 0,165 and 1,71 respectively. As a result of the analysis, VESTAS V172-7,2MW was decided to be the most suitable wind turbine for Mogadishu.