Economic assessment of WECS for water pumping systems in the North Region of Cameroon

Abstract

This paper analyses the potential utilization of wind electric pumping for water distribution in off-grid locations of the North Region of Cameroon (NRoC), using ground measured data as well as long-term satellite-derived data. Furthermore, this paper puts emphasis on statistical indexes of accuracy for the comparison of measured (2007–2012) and long-term satellite-derived (2005–2020) data. The outcome of this study clearly indicates that long-term satellite-derived data, obtained through the Prediction of Worldwide Renewable Energy Resources, can be considered as a viable alternative to missing site-specific data from ground stations, mainly in developing countries. The accuracy of satellite-based wind resource is deemed sufficient to provide a reasonable assessment in the initial phase of wind project planning, before in situ measurements with high accuracy are available. To model wind speeds characteristics, the energy pattern factor method (EPF) has been utilized as one of the reliable Weibull distribution methods for the assessment of wind energy potential at desired turbines heights in the selected locations. Five 20-kW pitch-controlled wind turbines (WT) with a hub height of 30 m, are considered to evaluate the power output and energy produced. Volumetric flow rates and costs of water produced are estimated. The results showed that, out of the eight chosen locations, Figuil shows the best combination of capacity factors (CF) and costs of energy (COE), while the site of Poli displays the worst values of CF and COE, no matter which of the five WT is employed. Thus, selecting WT for low wind speeds regimes, should require to combine location wind resource and WT characteristics such as lower cut-in wind speed (1.5 m/s) as well as lower rated wind speed (8.0 m/s) in order to successfully and affordably implement the wind technology in the NRoC.