Wind energy potential assessment to evaluate performance of selected wind turbines

Abstract

An intensive investigation for selecting the optimum wind turbine type for Al-Najaf site was done. Mean wind speed and Weibull parameters were calculated. Weibull parameters and wind speed extrapolated at WT height. Nine types of wind turbine generators were used to do site matching study in order to find suitable wind turbine generator for the site based on capacity factor. Wind speed frequency classes were calculated to find the most frequent wind speed in the site. Also, dominant wind speed orientation was found and accordingly the wind rose was drowned. Power curve, wind speed distribution, and return distribution were plotted for each nine WTs. Moreover, vertical profile of wind speed was extrapolated and drown. Consequently, Weibull parameters calculated at hub height of the nine WTs in addition to the power parameter. Power electric and energy production for each WT were calculated. Eventually, the results showed that Leitwind 77 has a large capacity factor of 26%, and subsequently it is the suitable wind turbine for this site.